This particular ESPN analyst is high on Clemson heading into the new season, while another ESPN analyst expressed skepticism regarding one of the Tigers’ position groups and lack of involvement in the transfer portal.
Sam Acho is the first of the two aforementioned analysts, and he explained why he likes the 14th-ranked Tigers as they approach their neutral-site season opener against No. 1 Georgia.
“I’m high on Clemson, and the reason why is that – similar to Alabama and their quarterback last year (Jalen Milroe) – they went through some ups and some downs,” said Acho, the former Texas and NFL linebacker.
“We saw a little bit of frustration last year with Clemson, a little bit of struggle. Even quarterback Cade Klubnik went through some struggle last year and has been through the fire. I actually got to talk with him not too long ago. He said, ‘Man, that was a rough year, but I’ve learned from that, I’ve grown from it.’ Phil Mafah at running back, they’re going to lean on him more.”
Acho is also bullish on Clemson’s defense and Barrett Carter, a 2023 All-ACC selection and 2024 preseason All-American who enters his senior season after deciding not to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Defensively, this is going to be one of the best defenses in all of college football, led by Barrett Carter, who could have gone to the NFL,” Acho said. “One of the best linebackers in football, a name everyone needs to know. I think their defense is going to help lead the way, I think that quarterback play is going to be significantly better.”
Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Trevor Matich doesn’t seem to be as sold on Clemson right now, particularly at the receiver position.
“What’s fallen off the cliff is production at wide receiver. Who do they have that scares people? Back when Trevor Lawrence was there, (Clemson had) Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins. They just had so many great wide receivers at Clemson, and I think that production has fallen off in recent years, and it’s made the quarterbacks look less dynamic than they could be,” said Matich, the former BYU center and NFL player.
“And to me, from the standpoint of transfer portal, this is the position group from Clemson that I’m really watching to see if the idea of developing your own guys instead of bringing in some quick fixes, is going to work for them.”
With that said, Matich does think the Tigers have College Football Playoff potential, if their receiving corps takes a step forward this year and ramps up the production.
“This year they have a team that’s good enough to make the playoff and make noise there – if the wide receivers can scare people, especially deep, and the quarterback Klubnik needs to connect with them of course,” Matich said. “But if that development at wide receiver tells us that you didn’t need to bring in a transfer, then I think you’ll see some good things from Clemson.”
Clemson’s highly anticipated Aflac Kickoff Game opener against Georgia in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for a noon kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 31, and will be nationally televised on ABC.
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!
