Clemson is loaded with returning talent, and several Tiger stars were recently touted by Pro Football Focus (PFF) among the top college football players heading into the upcoming campaign. 

PFF ranked the top 50 players in the sport entering the 2025 season, and four Clemson players landed in the top 27, including three in the top 10.

Junior defensive tackle Peter Woods tops the Tigers on the list, 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,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick wrote.

“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.”

Senior quarterback Cade Klubnik, meanwhile, checked in at 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),” PFF wrote.

“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.”

Junior Tiger edge rusher T.J. Parker also cracked the top 10, 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,” PFF wrote.

“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.”

Junior cornerback Avieon Terrell (No. 27) rounds out the Tigers in PFF’s ranking.

“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,” PFF wrote. 

“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.”

As for opposing players on Clemson’s 2025 schedule, those who appear in PFF’s ranking of the top 50 college football players include South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart (No. 9), LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (No. 23), Louisville running back Isaac Brown (No. 28), Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers (No. 33), LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (No. 44) and Duke safety Terry Moore (No. 49). 

Clemson, of course, opens the 2025 season at home with a highly anticipated showdown against Nussmeier, Weeks and LSU on Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m., ABC).