ACC Analysts Discuss Clemson 2025 Outlook
By: Robert MacRae December 25, 2024

After Clemson’s 2024 campaign concluded with Saturday’s 38-24 loss at Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff, ACC Network analysts EJ Manuel and Eric Mac Lain gave their takeaways from the Tigers’ season and also discussed the outlook for next year.

Manuel, the former Florida State star quarterback and first-round NFL Draft pick, thinks a special 2025 season could be in store for Clemson.

Manuel pointed to the talent that the Tigers are expected to return in 2025, as well as the lessons they can learn from a 10-4 (8-1 ACC) season in 2024 that saw them win their eighth conference title in 10 years and earn their seventh College Football Playoff berth.

“You know what it is, too, that’s beyond the jump in Cade’s mind as development and confidence – it’s also proven to his teammates, too. They know he’s the alpha now,” Manuel said of junior quarterback Cade Klubnik. “So, the way I look at this – and we were having this off-air conversation, should he go to the league and all that kind of stuff – if you come back next year as Cade Klubnik, you’ve got all these receivers that are coming back. Your offensive line for the most part is coming back. Defensively, you’re missing a couple pieces, and maybe (senior tight end Jake) Briningstool goes to the league. But you’ve got most of this team coming back.

“And the fact that they got a taste of the CFP and this 12-team format – sure, they didn’t come out of the first round, but now they see what it takes… I think that’s something that can be special for the 2025 season. So again, there’s a lot of takeaways, and I said this earlier – people don’t like moral victories, but sometimes you have to take these losses and use them as lessons. Next year, use this in your benefit.”

The 2024 season marked Clemson’s 13th season in the last 14 years with 10 or more wins, tied for the most in the nation (Alabama, 13 entering the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31) in that span. The Tigers are one of only two teams ever (Alabama, 8) to earn seven College Football Playoff berths in the CFP era (since 2014).

Despite the defeat to Texas, with a win in the ACC Championship Game, Clemson will enter the 2025 season riding a 14-year active streak of consecutive seasons with at least one postseason win (conference championship games and/or bowl/CFP games) – the longest streak in FBS history.

The focus for Clemson now shifts to the 2025 season – which will open with a marquee matchup against LSU at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Mac Lain, the former Clemson and All-ACC offensive lineman, believes there’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to next year’s Clemson team and who the Tigers are slated to welcome back.

“(Rising sophomore linebacker) Sammy Brown, another guy defensively. (Defensive lineman) Peter Woods will be a junior. (Defensive end) T.J. Parker will be a junior. There’s a lot of excitement of guys that are still here,” Mac Lain said. “And again, a very, very young team, that it’s going to be fun. And guess what — game one, LSU in the Valley, at home. C’mon.”