Clemson Drops in National Outlet’s Post-Spring Top 25
By: Gavin Oliver April 30, 2026

With spring ball in the books, this national outlet took a look back at its too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026 season and re-ranked the teams.

USA Today released its post-spring top 25, and Clemson dropped several spots coming out of spring practice.

The Tigers were ranked No. 19 in USA Today’s too-early top 25, released in January, but Dabo Swinney’s team has now slipped to No. 24 in the post-spring rankings.

Here’s what USA Today’s Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg wrote about the Tigers, who are coming off a disappointing 7-6 season in 2025 after starting the year ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll with national title aspirations:

No Cade Klubnik on campus and no quarterback from the transfer portal means this spring was all about giving time to Christopher Vizzina to get acclimated to the starting role with new offensive coordinator Chad Morris. The good news? Wide receivers Brian Wesco and TJ Moore look poised to have big seasons if Vizzina can deliver the ball. The portal brought in reinforcements for the defense – notably lineman Markus Strong (Oklahoma) and defensive back Elliot Washington II (Penn State) – to join a group led by standout linebacker Sammy Brown. But there’s still overall questions about this roster’s ability to push for a playoff spot.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after a flag was thrown against Florida State during the fourth quarter on November 8, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)

Ohio State is the top-ranked team in USA Today’s post-spring top 25, with Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia and reigning national champion Indiana rounding out the top five.

Last year’s national championship runner-up, Miami, is the highest-ranked ACC team at No. 6, followed by former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ Oklahoma team at No. 7.

Clemson will open the 2026 season against LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge on Sept. 5. The Bayou Bengals are ranked No. 17 in USA Today’s post-spring top 25.

“The first spring for Lane Kiffin after his high-profile move to Baton Rouge saw Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt not participate due to a foot injury, giving opportunities to backups quarterbacks Huston Longstreet and Landen Clark,” USA Today wrote. “Standout linebacker Whit Weeks was also limited this spring after his season-ending leg injury. A host of transfers got their first taste of life at LSU. Two standouts praised by Kiffin are offensive lineman Jordan Seaton (Colorado) and defensive back Ty Benefield (Boise State).”

Along with Clemson and Miami, other ACC teams in USA Today’s post-spring top 25 include SMU (No. 18) and Florida State (No. 22).

Clemson is not scheduled to play SMU during the 2026 regular season, but the Tigers have a home game against Miami (Oct. 3) and a road game against FSU (Oct. 31).