Running Back
Phil Mafah was a monster in the run game for two straight seasons, totaling 2,080 yards, 21 TDs, and 5.3 yards per carry. Mafah was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Clemson does not have much production lined up in the depth chart for 2025. Jay Haynes has 330 career yards. David Eziomume has 62 yards, and Adam Randall has 405 career yards.
The player rumored to be Clemson’s RB1 in the coming season is true freshman Gideon Davidson. Davidson dominated the high school ranks, running for 5,057 yards, 80 TDs, and 10.6 yards per carry during his junior and senior seasons. Davidson also has sub-11-second 100-meter times.
While Davidson has a superstar future, many questions can surround a true freshman running back, such as physicality level, weight, and game speed adjustment. Clemson will be relying on multiple unproven options at running back to start the season.
Tight End
Jake Briningstool has held down this position for the Tigers for the last two seasons. He totaled 99 receptions, 1,028 yards, and 12 TDs in 26 games during 2023 and 2024.
The top four tight ends on Clemson’s 2025 depth chart are Olsen Patt-Henry, Christian Bentancur, Josh Sapp, and Banks Pope. These four players combine for 302 career receiving yards.
In 2024, Briningstool finished 2nd on the Tigers in receiving TDs. In 2023, he finished 1st on the Tigers in receiving TDs. Clemson will most likely need a group effort from this position group to give Klubnik the type of red-zone threat that Briningstool provided.
Safety
The projected starters at safety for the Tigers are Kylon Griffin and Ricardo Jones. Griffin appeared in 13 games while making four starts in 2024. He totaled 25 tackles, 1 INT, and 3 pass deflections. Jones appeared in 12 games with zero starts while totaling 20 tackles, 1 INT, and 1 sack.
RJ Mickens led the safety room in 2024, posting 76 tackles, 2 INTs, and 7 pass deflections. Mickens was selected in the 6th round of the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kylon Griffin will be the rangier player in coverage for Clemson, while the 6’3 Jones possesses the ability to play well in the box. With Avieon Terrell and Khalil Barnes locking down the corner and nickel positions, Griffin and Jones will simply need to provide a good support system around those two stars.
Out of Conference Performance
Clemson’s out-of-conference performances have been shaky over the last few seasons, and these performances have plagued the beginning and ending of the Tigers’ latest seasons.
In 2024, Clemson went 0-3 against Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. In 2023, Clemson went 3-0 against Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Kentucky. In 2022, the Tigers went 0-3 against Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
In 2025, Clemson is slated to face LSU and South Carolina in the regular season. The Tigers host LSU in week one, while they travel to South Carolina in the final week of the regular season.
Can the Tigers right the ship when it comes to out-of-conference performance? With LSU and South Carolina considered formidable opponents in 2025, a 1-1 split is somewhat expected, while an 0-2 record in these games will be unacceptable for Dabo Swinney.
