Without question, the Clemson football roster is loaded with talent.
The Tigers return a lot of talent and experience from last year’s team, which made the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020. It’s one of the biggest reasons why the Tigers have been predicted by many to be one of the teams capable of competing for a national title this season.
Look no further than Pro Football Focus’ ranking of the Top 50 players across college football to see just how much talent is on this Clemson team. Four Tigers are ranked, with three being slotted in the Top 10. No other team has that many players inside the Top 10.
Defensive lineman Peter Woods leads the way for the Tigers, coming in at No. 3.
Woods spent most of his sophomore season playing out of position at edge defender, yet he still earned an impressive 83.3 PFF overall grade. Over his first two years of college football, he is both the highest-graded and most valuable returning Power Four defensive tackle, according to PFF WAA.
Woods leads all returning Power Four interior defenders in PFF run-defense grade (89.7) and pass-rush win rate (14.9%) since 2023. His combination of power and agility, at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, makes him a nightmarish matchup for opposing offensive linemen.
Quarback Cade Klubnik ranks No. 7.
There may not have been a more improved quarterback in college football this past season than Klubnik. After placing 102nd among FBS signal-callers in 2023 with a 63.9 PFF passing grade, he ranked fifth in 2024 (87.7). Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw more touchdowns than the junior (36). Klubnik also ranked fifth in big-time throws (28).
The top quarterback recruit in the 2022 class is finally starting to live up to the hype and has the potential to take a loaded Clemson roster to the promised land as a senior.
Defensive end TJ Parker slides in at No. 10.
Between Parker and Peter Woods, the Tigers currently project to have the first edge defender and defensive tackle selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Parker’s 12 sacks in 2024 led all returning Power Four edge rushers, and he is one of three who posted 80.0-plus PFF grades both as a pass rusher and a run defender.
Parker brings a devastating bull rush, thanks to his power at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds. He has the makings of a top-10 selection next April if he can put together a similarly strong junior year.
Cornerback Avieon Terrell ranks No. 27.
The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon is projected to follow in his brother’s footsteps from Clemson to the first round of the NFL draft. The younger Terrell is a much better run defender, placing fourth among cornerbacks in PFF run-defense grade this past season (90.7). He also forced three fumbles, tied for the second most. Terrell is excellent in coverage, as well, leading all Power Four cornerbacks with 14 forced incompletions in 2024.
He stands at just 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but Terrell plays with outstanding physicality for the position and has the speed to stick with receivers in man coverage.