The Athletic ranked the top 25 players in the ACC ahead of the 2025 season, and there’s no shortage of Clemson Tigers among them.
Nine Clemson players made the list, including five in the top 10, three in the top five, and two in the top three.
“Dabo Swinney’s roster is loaded with returning starters on both sides of the ball, and Clemson is considered a heavy favorite to win the league title again,” The Athletic’s Manny Navarro wrote. “So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are a lot of Tigers on our list of the 25 best players in the league.”
Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker leads the way as the ACC’s No. 1 overall player, while fellow Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods is ranked No. 3.
The dominant duo of Parker and Woods are sandwiched around Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 2.
“There might not be a better edge rusher in the country than the 6-foot-3, 265-pound junior from Phenix City, Ala,” Navarro wrote of Parker. “In 27 career games (17 starts), he has six forced fumbles, 32 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. He took over Clemson’s 24-20 win at Pittsburgh last year (four sacks) and terrorized SMU in the ACC Championship Game.
“The Tigers’ two-headed monster on the defensive line, Parker and Woods, is one of several reasons they are favored to win the league in 2025. The 6-3, 315-pound Woods had 28 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and three sacks, in his first season as a full-time starter — solid numbers for an interior lineman.”
After Woods, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is ranked No. 4 overall and is the top QB on the list.
“Klubnik is third behind Arch Manning (Texas) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) in Heisman odds, according to BetMGM,” Navarro wrote. “The reality is Klubnik probably has a better collection of receivers and offensive linemen than those other two QBs, which is why Clemson has a legitimate shot to win the national title. Klubnik’s passing efficiency rating jumped from 80th in 2023 to 28th last season. His 36 touchdown passes in 2024 are the most for any returning quarterback in the country.”
One of Klubnik’s top wide receiver targets, Antonio Williams, came in at No. 7 overall and is the top-ranked receiver on the list.
“Williams, a former top-75 national recruit, was a first-team All-ACC pick in 2024, catching 75 passes for 904 yards and a league-leading 11 TDs,” Navarro wrote. “A redshirt junior from Irmo, S.C., Williams teams with sophomores Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore to form the top wide receiver trio in the ACC and one of the best in the nation.”
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (ranked No. 8) rounds out the Tigers in the top 10, and he is the No. 1-ranked corner.
“The 5-11, 180-pound junior and younger brother of 2020 NFL first-round pick A.J. Terrell earned second-team All-ACC honors last fall,” Navarro wrote. “He was credited with 58 tackles, two interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He’s considered a much better run defender than his brother — something new Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen surely likes.”
Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller landed at No. 12, while Tiger linebacker Wade Woodaz is No. 16.
“Miller is one of the two returning first-team All-ACC offensive linemen,” Navarro wrote. “The 6-6, 315-pound Ohio native has started 41 games in his career, with all but two coming at right tackle. The only returning ACC offensive lineman with more career starts is the guy who lines up next to him at Clemson: right guard Walker Parks (42 starts).
“Woodaz, a senior and former three-star recruit from Tampa, Fla., recorded 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and one interception last season to earn All-ACC honorable mention honors. He will be asked to lead a linebacking corps that lost Barrett Carter to the NFL.”
Two more Clemson defenders, safety Khalil Barnes (No. 18) and linebacker Sammy Brown (No. 22), are the final two Tigers in The Athletic’s ranking.
“Barnes has led Clemson in interceptions the last two seasons, with three in 2023 and four in 2024,” Navarro wrote. “His 21 career starts are the most in Clemson’s secondary. The Tigers need to fill the spot next to him at safety with R.J. Mickens off to the NFL, and will rely heavily on Barnes to lead.
“Brown is one of 16 former five-star recruits in the ACC — and one of Clemson’s seven. As a freshman in 2024, he started six games and finished third on the team with 80 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and five sacks. He earned Freshman All-America honors and became the fourth Clemson player to win ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
A slew of players Clemson is scheduled to face during the 2025 regular season made the list as well, including Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers (No. 9), Louisville running back Isaac Brown (No. 11), Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (No. 13), Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (No. 14), SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia (No. 15), Florida State safety Shyheim Brown (No. 19), Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge (No. 21) and Syracuse safety Duce Chestnut (No. 23).
After the Aug. 30 season opener against LSU at Memorial Stadium, and then a home date vs. Troy on Sept. 6, Clemson will open ACC play on Saturday, Sept. 13 when the Tigers face Georgia Tech in Atlanta.