ESPN ranked the top 100 players entering the 2025 college football season, and Clemson is very well represented among the best in the sport.

The list is loaded with Tigers, as it features seven Clemson players overall, including five in the top 50 – and three in the top 10.

Star quarterback Cade Klubnik leads the way among those Tigers, landing at No. 4 overall behind only Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at No. 1, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at No. 2 and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 3.

“Headed into his third year as a starter, Klubnik is poised to have his best campaign yet after posting career numbers in 2024,” ESPN’s Andrea Adelson wrote. “His return is one of the biggest reasons many believe the Tigers are poised to make a championship run. Klubnik also knows it is now or never for him to cement his Clemson legacy — and add this offense to the record books.”

Clemson’s dynamic defensive line duo landed in the top 10 as well, with defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive tackle Peter Woods ranked No. 6 and No. 9, respectively.

“Parker showed his potential as a freshman All-American and followed that up with a dominant sophomore season,” Adelson wrote. “His six forced fumbles set a school record, and his 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks were the most at Clemson since Clelin Ferrell had 19.5 and 11.5 in 2018.”

Added Adelson of Woods: “Woods alternated between defensive tackle and defensive end last season, and what is so intriguing about his potential headed into his junior year is what new coordinator Tom Allen will ask him to do. Clemson plans to be more aggressive with its entire D-line, a prospect that Woods has embraced.”

Cornerback Avieon Terrell is the next highest-ranked Clemson player, coming in at No. 39, followed by wide receiver Antonio Williams at No. 46.

“The stat line for Terrell almost feels as if it is never ending,” Adelson wrote. “In 2024, Terrell became the first player under Dabo Swinney to have at least three forced fumbles, multiple interceptions and multiple fumble recoveries in one season. His 13 pass breakups tied the Clemson sophomore record held by two others and were the most by any Clemson player since 2014. He is poised for more this year.”

“Coming off a sophomore season lost to injury, Williams reenergized the Clemson passing attack while becoming one of the most reliable receivers in the country,” ESPN’s David Hale wrote. “His 75 catches ranked second in the ACC, and his 11 touchdowns tied for the conference lead. In the process, he became the first Clemson receiver with at least 75 catches, 900 yards and 10 touchdowns since Mike Williams in 2016.”

Rounding out the Tigers in ESPN’s top 100 players are offensive tackle Blake Miller (No. 96) and wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. (No. 99).

“One of the most consistent blockers in the country, Miller has been a fixture on Clemson’s offensive line since he was a freshman, racking up 41 career starts. He allowed four sacks all season, never more than one in the same game,” Hale wrote.

“Wesco earned raves as a true freshman during camp last season, but he didn’t get a real shot at serious playing time until Week 5 against Stanford, when he racked up 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. From there, he blossomed into one of Clemson’s biggest threats on offense, racking up 36 catches for 574 yards from Week 5 on.”

Clemson kicks off the 2025 season at home on Aug. 30 against LSU – which placed four players in ESPN’s top 100 ranking, including quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (No. 8), linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (No. 43), linebacker Whit Weeks (No. 59) and wide receiver Aaron Anderson (No. 93).

Other players Clemson is scheduled to face during the 2025 season, who made ESPN’s top 100 ranking, include South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart (No. 10), South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (No. 19), Duke defensive back Chandler Rivers (No. 32), Louisville running back Isaac Brown (No. 45), Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (No. 68), SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (No. 70), Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (No. 88) and SMU defensive back Isaiah Nwokobia (No. 94).