ESPN this week released its future power rankings for college football (subscription required), projecting the best teams in the nation over the next three seasons (2024, 2025, 2026).
ESPN evaluated the programs based on factors like current rosters and commits, as well as the track records of coaches, units and teams as a whole.
Last year, Clemson checked in at No. 7 in ESPN’s college football future power rankings.
This year, the Tigers dropped outside of the top 10 to No. 12, behind Southern Cal at No. 11 and Penn State at No. 10.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, who authored the article, assessed Clemson on both sides of the ball and at the quarterback position. He gave Clemson a future QB ranking of No. 24 and a future defense ranking of No. 4. The Tigers went unranked in his future offense rankings.
Here’s some of what Rittenberg wrote about why he has Clemson ranked at No. 12 in the overall future power rankings:
The next three seasons will be fascinating for a Clemson program that finds itself an unfamiliar spot, outside of the FPR top 10. Clemson is coming off of its first four-loss season since 2011 and has just one CFP win since its most recent national title in 2018. The transfer portal era has been bumpy, in part because of coach Dabo Swinney’s resistance to adding transfers. Clemson’s high school recruiting remains strong — its 2025 class ranks No. 5 in the latest rundown — but upgrades are needed, especially with an offense that ranks 45th nationally in scoring since the start of the 2021 season.
The offense is in the spotlight under second-year coordinator Garrett Riley, who gets quarterback Cade Klubnik back with two years of eligibility left. Clemson has some insurance with Christopher Vizzina, an ESPN top-50 recruit in 2023, but lacks a ton of overall depth. Swinney is hoping to upgrade the offensive line with former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke now in charge. Clemson returns experience with seniors Marcus Tate and Walker Parks, and solid overall depth with non-senior options Tristan Leigh, Blake Miller and others. The team also has two ESPN 300 linemen committed for 2025. Clemson brings back notable skill players such as running back Phil Mafah, tight end Jake Briningstool and wide receiver Antonio Williams. The key is building out the depth, especially at wideout, which has gone from a nationally elite group to a questionable one. If Williams and Cole Turner are healthy, they provide a strong multiyear tandem alongside Tyler Brown. Two top-50 national recruits should help in Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore. Clemson needs a second back behind Mafah, and has a 2025 commitment from Gideon Davidson, ESPN’s No. 50 recruit.
The defensive outlook is why Clemson still finds itself close to FPR’s top 10, as Clemson continues to pump out NFL players and recruit and develop top talent. There are some short-term questions up front and in the secondary, but Clemson has potential stars ready to step in, such as sophomore linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, and sophomore defensive backs Khalil Barnes and Avieon Terrell. The unit also brings back linebacker Barrett Carter, a two-time All-ACC selection set to lead a group also featuring non-seniors such as Wade Woodaz and Kobe McCloud.
Florida State (No. 9) leads ACC teams in ESPN’s future power rankings, with Louisville (No. 21), SMU (No. 22) and Miami (No. 24) rounding out the ACC teams in the ranking.
The top five, in order from Nos. 1-5, are Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Alabama and Michigan.
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