Who are the top teams in college football coming out of the spring, according to ESPN?

This week, ESPN released its post-spring power rankings, stacking up the top 25 following spring practice and the spring transfer portal window.

Clemson checked in at No. 16, with ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach noting that Clemson is one of four programs in the FBS that didn’t take a player from the transfer portal this offseason, along with Air Force, Army and Navy.

“Transferring into one of the service academies requires the intervention of a member of the U.S. Congress. For whatever reason, transferring to Clemson seems to be even more difficult these days,” Schlabach wrote. “After the Tigers dropped four games for the first time since 2011 and finished 52nd in the FBS in scoring offense (29.8 points per game), it seemed like a good time to bring in experienced help. It didn’t happen.

“There’s no question Clemson’s defense is going to be one of the best in the FBS with linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker leading the way. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is betting that quarterback Cade Klubnik is going to be much better in his second season under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Freshman receiver Bryant Wesco looked great in the spring, and four-star T.J. Moore joins the team later this month.”

Florida State (No. 11) is the highest-ranked ACC team in ESPN’s post-spring power rankings, followed by NC State (No. 13) and then Clemson, Virginia Tech (No. 21) and Miami (No. 24). Louisville was named among the teams that “just missed” ESPN’s post-spring top 25.

Clemson’s season-opening opponent, Georgia, is the No. 1 team in ESPN’s post-spring top 25, with Ohio State, Texas, Oregon and Notre Dame rounding out the top five.

The Tigers and Bulldogs kick off their respective 2024 seasons on Saturday, Aug. 31 in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (12 p.m., ABC).

After missing the four-team playoff in each of the last three seasons, Clemson is looking to make the inaugural 12-team playoff in the upcoming campaign.

Clemson notched at least 10 wins in 12 straight seasons (2011-22) before going 9-4 last season. Thanks to finishing the 2023 season on a five-game winning streak, the Tigers posted their 13th consecutive nine-win season and 14th overall in Dabo Swinney’s 15 full seasons as head coach.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!