David Pollack is high on Clemson heading into next season.

In an episode of his David Pollack College Football show, the ex-ESPN analyst and former Georgia/NFL linebacker gave his “never-too-early” top five teams in college football for the 2025 campaign.

Pollack put Clemson at No. 4, ahead of Penn State at No. 5.

He has Oregon at No. 3, reigning national champion Ohio State at No. 2, and Texas, which beat Clemson 38-24 in the 2024 College Football Playoff first-round matchup in Austin, as his No. 1 team entering 2025.

Pollack shared why he ranked Clemson No. 4, and his reasoning is threefold. He pointed to the Tigers’ star returning quarterback in rising senior Cade Klubnik, as well as head coach Dabo Swinney’s outside hire of former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen, and Swinney’s recent usage of the transfer portal in contrast to the lack of transfer portal activity in the past.

“This one might surprise you – I went Clemson [No.] 4,” Pollack said. “I saw enough from Klubnik to say he’s gonna be in the Heisman Trophy discussion next year. Like, his top three receivers are back. Their offensive line was not elite, was not great by any stretch. And here’s the thing – Dabo Swinney is a guy that has always stuck to his guns. What does that mean? No transfer portal. Already addressing that, which I think is big. Needs to do that. Another thing Dabo Swinney has always done – hired from within, his guys. He just went and got his defensive coordinator. He went to Penn State to get Tom Allen, who is a great fit for the culture. Like, that dude, he is so aligned with Dabo, but he’s great with Xs and Os. They gave up way too much in the run game, they made it way too easy on opponents.”

Add that all up, and Pollack believes the Tigers – who are coming off their eighth conference championship in the last 10 seasons – will be the ACC’s top team once again in 2025.

“I think Clemson immediately jumps back in the fray, they’re in the mix in the ACC. I think they’ll be the best team with all those things going for them,” said Pollack, a College Football Hall of Famer, three-time All-American and first-round NFL draft pick.

You can check out his commentary on each of his top five teams heading into 2025 in the following video: