Five straight wins to end the 2023 season should give Clemson confidence. But what is the Tigers’ ceiling? They have been an AP preseason top-10 team the past three years but finished no higher than No. 13 in the final poll during that span. Clemson is still an upper-tier ACC team but has work to do to be a playoff contender. The season opener against Georgia may set the tone, for better or for worse. As usual, the Tigers should be strong on defense once again. However, the development of the offense behind second-year coordinator Garrett Riley and quarterback Cade Klubnik will decide how high this team can climb in the ACC and CFB Playoff picture.
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Clemson 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Clemson’s Offense for 2024
Heading into 2023, quarterback Cade Klubnik was being floated as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. That buzz quickly fizzled as the Tigers started 2-2 and finished with their worst record since 2011. Klubnik’s talent is undeniable, but he was far too up and down as a first-year starter, posting a 19-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a No. 80 national ranking in QBR.
Highly regarded offensive coordinator Garrett Riley promised explosiveness, but his unit rarely looked the part during his first year, as the Tigers ranked No. 50 nationally in total yards per game.
To reach an elite level, this group needs more consistency from Klubnik, more push from the offensive line and more production from the wide receivers. Phil Mafah (965 yards, 13 TDs) will be one of the ACC’s best running backs, and tight end Jake Briningstool (498 receiving yards) is a future pro. Two new, highly touted WR recruits could provide a boost.
QB Cade Klubnik threw for 2,844 yards and 19 TDs in his first year as the starter in 2023.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing Clemson’s Defense for 2024
New coordinator? No problem. Under former analyst Wes Goodwin, who succeeded the legendary Brent Venables in 2022, Clemson dazzled once again, finishing in the top 10 nationally in total defense and passing defense while tying for the national lead in turnovers forced (28).
Clemson, as per usual, will be replacing NFL draft picks at multiple positions. Veteran linebacker Barrett Carter (67 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and safety R.J. Mickens (50 tackles) both opted to return for 2024, though, and will soften that blow. So will Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, two of the country’s best young defensive linemen. And it won’t take long for true freshman Sammy Brown, the highest-ranked linebacker recruit in program history, to emerge as a rotation player.
A regression in turnovers feels inevitable, but this should be a strong, deep unit. There could be some learning moments at cornerback, though.
Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2024
Barrett Carter ranked second on the team with 62 tackles last season.
© Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing Clemson’s Specialists for 2024
Last year, Clemson’s starting kicker struggled so much that head coach Dabo Swinney brought a former walk-on out of retirement to finish the season. True freshman Nolan Hauser, who hit a national-record 66 field goals in high school, could hold things down in 2024. The Tigers will use a mix of wide receivers on kick and punt returns.
