ESPN Analyst says Clemson Is in ‘Natty or Bust’ Mode for 2025
By: Gavin Oliver February 5, 2025

Is next season the one where Clemson will make it back to the National Championship?

This ESPN analyst believes the Tigers are in “natty or bust” mode for 2025.

In an episode of his Always College Football show, ESPN’s Greg McElroy weighed in on the current era of college football with the “natty or bust” mentality, saying Ohio State showed it this past season, and Michigan in 2023.

As for which programs are all in for the 2025 campaign, McElroy pointed to Dabo Swinney’s team as one that comes to mind.

“We might be entering the ‘natty or bust’ era,” McElroy said. “I look at a team like Clemson. Clemson, look at how many pieces have been brought along slowly over the last couple years… So Cade Klubnik, now year four at Clemson. You look at some of the pieces.

“Yes, they lose a running back, sure, but I think they’re going to be OK there. You have veteran presences along the offensive line. Their receivers were freshmen, sophomores the last couple of years. Now they’re all back. Defensively, you had some freshmen and sophomores that were really good. Now they’re juniors and seniors in some cases. Like, Clemson could be that team this year.”

Furthermore, McElroy added that Swinney’s outside defensive coordinator hire of Tom Allen from Penn State is another “indicator” that Clemson has pushed all its chips in ahead of the 2025 season.

“And if you need any more of an indicator, just look at how these coaches approach the coaching carousel from a coordinator standpoint,” McElroy said. “You think it’s an indicator that Dabo Swinney was able to go out and get Tom Allen, the defensive coordinator from Penn State, to come to Clemson. That wasn’t a cheap move by any stretch of the imagination.”

Thanks to its victory over SMU in the 2024 ACC Championship Game, Clemson (10-4, 8-1 ACC in 2024) earned an automatic berth and the No. 12 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff this past season.

It marked the first CFP berth since 2020 (and seventh overall) for the Tigers, who are trying to win their third national championship in the CFP era after winning it all in 2016 and 2018.