CLEMSON — There is no doubt the group that will be tested the most when Clemson opens the 2025 season against LSU on Aug. 30, will be its cornerbacks.

LSU brings back one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier, along with talent wide receivers in Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton and Zavion Thomas.

The good news is the Tigers bring back four veterans at cornerback. The bad news is they do not have much experienced depth behind them.

It will be up to Avieon Terrell, Ashton Hampton, Jeadyn Lukus and Shelton Lewis to try and slow LSU’s high-flying passing game down.

Last year, Terrell earned second-team All-ACC honors started while notching 64 tackles (4.5 for loss), 13 pass breakups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a sack. He became the first Clemson player under Dabo Swinney to finish a season with at least three forced fumbles, multiple interceptions and multiple fumble recoveries.

Opposite Terrell will be a battle between Lukus and Hampton, while Shelton Lewis seems to be the guy that will start at the nickel corner spot. Lukus played in all 14 games last year, but he was once again slowed by the same nagging shoulder injuries that that plagued him before.

Hampton came in as a true freshman and provided big-time splash plays, including a pick-six against NC State and unbelievable interception in a win at Virginia Tech.

As for depth pieces, the Tigers are hopeful Myles Oliver can stay healthy after spending the last three years with season-ending injuries.

Branden Strozier enters his third season following a 2024 campaign in which he played 73 defensive snaps in eight games. Corian Gipson also returns following a redshirt season a year ago.