ESPN Drops Clemson Further Down in Future QB Power Rankings
By: Staff Report March 13, 2024

ESPN released its yearly college football future quarterback power rankings (subscription required), looking at which teams have the best QB situation over the next few seasons.

The list projects the top 25 quarterback groups over the upcoming three campaigns (2024, 2025 and 2026) and is based on factors such as the transfer portal, high school recruiting and the track records of teams and coaches in developing QBs.

Clemson is now ranked No. 24 in ESPN’s future QB power rankings, down four spots from where the Tigers were in the future QB power rankings last year (No. 20).

In 2022, the Tigers were No. 17 in the future QB power rankings, after being all the way up at No. 2 in 2021 and No. 1 in 2020.

Here is ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg’s reasoning for where he ranked Clemson in the future QB power rankings this year:

Clemson comes off its first four-loss season since 2011, and is still waiting for a big boost in quarterback efficiency and overall offense under coordinator Garrett Riley. Still, Klubnik showed snippets of promise, especially in November wins against Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Clemson must help him with better protection from the offensive line and more options at wide receiver. But Klubnik, a top-30 recruit in 2022, has enough familiarity with Riley’s system to take a significant step this coming season. He also could lead the offense through 2025. Last fall, Klubnik completed 63.9% of his passes for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in his first season as the starter.

Christopher Vizzina, ESPN’s No. 42 overall recruit in 2023, could push Klubnik and see a bigger role as a redshirt freshman. He’s seemingly in line to take over whenever Klubnik moves on, unless coach Dabo Swinney adjusts his approach toward targeting big-name quarterback transfers. The Tigers didn’t sign a quarterback in the 2024 class but have a commitment from 2025 prospect Blake Hebert, ESPN’s No. 157 recruit.

The top five in ESPN’s future QB power rankings, in order from Nos. 1-5, are Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Georgia and Southern Cal.

Besides Clemson, Florida State (No. 13), Miami (No. 18), incoming ACC team SMU (No. 21) and Louisville (No. 25) are the other ACC teams in the rankings.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!