Clemson has climbed into the top five of this national outlet’s latest preseason rankings.

This week, USA Today released its “too-early” college football Top 25 coming out of spring practice and the spring transfer portal window.

The Tigers slid up two spots to No. 5 in the updated rankings, after checking in at No. 7 in the way-too-early college football Top 25 that USA Today published in January following Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Clemson (10-4, 7-1 ACC in 2024) is coming off its eighth ACC Championship in the last 10 seasons, as well as its first College Football Playoff appearance since the 2020 campaign and seventh all-time CFP berth.

Here’s what USA Today’s Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith had to say about the Tigers in the updated rankings:

QB Cade Klubnik and the defending ACC champions will be expected to repeat in 2025 and go deeper into the playoff. The offense could have issues at RB after projected starter Jay Haynes tore his ACL in the ACC title game, though freshmen David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson looked good in the spring. Defensively, expect Clemson to rebound under new coordinator Tom Allen after falling to ninth in the ACC in yards allowed per play this past season. The pieces are in place for a run at the national title.

Clemson rounds out the top five that also features Ohio State at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2, Texas at No. 3 and Georgia at No. 4.

LSU, which will open the 2025 season against Clemson at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30, landed one spot behind Clemson at No. 6.

“This feels like a make-or-break year for Brian Kelly,” USA Today wrote. “The return of Garrett Nussmeier gives the Tigers one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Kelly then went to the transfer portal to add Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barrion Brown (Kentucky) at wide receiver. LSU also made some key additions on the offensive line. The gem on defense is pass rusher Patrick Payton (Florida State), but there is also help coming in the secondary.”

 Notre Dame, Oregon, Alabama and Miami comprise the rest of the top 10, in that order.

Clemson’s archrival, South Carolina, is ranked No. 16. Of course, the Tigers and Gamecocks will square off on Nov. 29 in Columbia.

“The Gamecocks may have been one of the best team in the Power Four at the end of last season, so pushing for the playoff in 2025 seems like a realistic goal,” USA Today wrote. “QB LaNorris Sellers showed significant progress in his first year as a starter and should be among the best at his position in the SEC. With significant returns at receiver, the offense should be more balanced and allow Sellers to showcase his throwing ability. The defense had significant losses that will require retooling, but Dylan Stewart should push for double-digit sacks as a sophomore.”

Louisville, which will host Clemson on Friday, Nov. 14, is ranked No. 18.

Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ Oklahoma squad just cracked the top 25, coming in at No. 25.