Clemson Opponent Previews:

CLEMSON – With a season full of expectations ahead for Clemson Football, the Tigers’ offseason of preparation and training comes to a head in the season opener against the LSU Tigers.

With a home-field advantage for their first game of 2025, the Tigers look to be the favorite against their adversaries. However, lots of things have changed for both teams — additions have been made, players have departed, and expectations for victory have risen.

A Week 1 SEC opponent is nothing new for Clemson, as it faced the Georgia Bulldogs last year in its season opener in Atlanta. This time, both sets of Tigers expect nothing but victory, which is sure to make a great game.

Let’s take a look at what LSU has in store for Clemson on Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium.

OFFENSE

LSU’s offense is led by star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who started 13 games last season and threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He returns to the SEC’s Tigers for his senior year, where he looks to shave off his turnovers.

Along with the retention of junior receiver Aaron Anderson, the Tigers added two key wide receivers from the transfer portal in Nic Anderson from Oklahoma and Barion Brown from Kentucky. Both will help aid Nussmeier in the receiving game, while tight end Trey’Dez Green will help lead his position with the incoming transfers of Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma) and Donovan Green (Texas A&M).

LSU will have sophomore Caden Durham at the helm at running back, with junior Kaleb Jackson expected to get some reps alongside him. Durham rushed for 753 yards on 5.4 yards per carry last year.

After losing Will Campbell to the NFL, the offensive line gets a refresh with 6-foot-7, 300-pound Tyree Adams at left tackle and center DJ Chester’s return after starting every game last year. Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore will provide support at guard.

DEFENSE

LSU ranked 61st in total defense last year, a step up from their previous few seasons and its looking to be better this year.

The SEC’s Tigers added nine transfers to their defense, including defensive ends Jack Pyburn (Florida), Patrick Payton (Florida State), and Jimari Butler (Nebraska), all of which are skilled edge rushers that are sure to make a huge difference. Dominick McKinley and Ahmad Breaux, both sophomore defensive tackles, return for year two to help hold down the line.

Their linebackers are impressive, led by the return of junior Whit Weeks. He led the Tigers with 125 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year, and he is sure to make another huge impact, especially with the supporting help of Harold Perkins Jr. and Dahvon Keys.

As for the secondary, LSU added true freshman cornerback DJ Pickett to the room filled with starters Ashton Stamps and transfer Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech). A.J. Haulcy, a transfer safety from Houston, joins a stacked room with developing LSU safeties Dashawn Spears, PJ Woodland, and Javien Toviano.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker Damian Ramos is back for his senior year after going 23-of-29 in field goals last year. He hit 8-of-11 from between 40-of-49 yards, a big increase from his freshman and sophomore seasons before.

Sophomore punter Grant Chadwick transferred from Middle Tennessee, joining Badger Hargett in the punting room. Zavion Thomas and Aaron Anderson are expected to be the main returners for the Tigers.

OVERVIEW

LSU dominated the transfer portal with 18 transfers. Even with its losses last year, the program looks as strong as ever.

Under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers completed an 9-4 season with a bowl game victory in 2024 — not the worst outcome, but certainly not the expectation for a dominant SEC program.

LSU has set itself up for great success in the new year, but Clemson has the chance to get them started on the wrong note.

Interesting Notes: LSU has lost a program-record-tying five consecutive season-openers… LSU has won seven of its last eight true non-conference road games. However, the one loss came in its last non-conference true road game, which was at UCLA to open the 2021 season.

—photo by Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images