On Friday, ESPN released its latest college football recruiting class rankings for 2025.

Clemson is now No. 5 in ESPN’s updated 2025 class rankings (subscription required) after previously being ranked No. 3.

The Tigers currently have 11 total commitments in their 2025 class, including eight ESPN 300 commits (commits ranked among ESPN’s top 300 prospects nationally).

Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, Va.) four-star running back Gideon Davidson is Clemson’s top-ranked offensive commit (No. 50 overall in the 2025 ESPN 300), while Maury High School (Norfolk, Va.) four-star defensive end Ari Watford is the Tigers’ top-ranked defensive pledge (No. 32 overall in the 2025 ESPN 300).

Along with Watford and Davidson, Clemson’s 2025 class features three other top-100 national prospects, according to ESPN, in Southern Durham (N.C.) High School four-star defensive tackle Isaiah Campbell (No. 58 overall), Cedartown (Ga.) High School four-star safety Tae Harris (No. 60 overall) and South Florence High School (Lake City, S.C.) four-star defensive tackle Amare Adams (No. 85 overall).

Here’s what ESPN’s Craig Haubert had to say about the Tigers’ 2025 class:

Despite ranking just 15th for the 2024 cycle, the Tigers have already checked several boxes in 2025 with big commitments at multiple positions. Davidson and in-state prospect Marquise Henderson are a pair of key running back pledges. Davidson, a top-five running back, runs with a nice blend of size, speed and power. He posted impressive numbers as a junior, rushing for 2,700 yards and 43 touchdowns. Henderson is more slightly built at roughly 5-10, 170 pounds, but has explosive, big-play speed. He rushed for more than 2,300 yards as a junior. Four-star quarterback Blake Hebert missed most of his junior season with an injury, but he has good size, he has a smooth and compact delivery, and he moves well and extends plays.

Led by Watford, Clemson landed several defensive linemen ranked in the ESPN 300. Watford is a lengthy player with good initial quickness who can develop into a disruptive edge rusher. In the trenches, Clemson landed defensive tackle Amare Adams, the top-ranked player in South Carolina. The Tigers also pulled tackle Isaiah Campbell out of neighboring North Carolina. Campbell has a big frame and good movement skills. One-time Georgia commit Tae Harris is a nice addition to the secondary. He projects to safety, but he’s versatile enough to play corner. He posted some of the top numbers on the spring camp circuit, including a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash.

Ohio State stayed at No. 1 in ESPN’s updated 2025 recruiting class rankings, with Notre Dame, Southern Cal, LSU and then Clemson rounding out the top five.

The Tigers lead the pack of ACC teams in ESPN’s updated rankings, including SMU (No. 11), Syracuse (No. 12), Wake Forest (No. 18), North Carolina (No. 19), Miami (No. 20) and Virginia (No. 22).

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!