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It’s Game Day: Orange vs. White Rosters for 2024 Clemson Tigers Spring Game

Clemson Tigers Football: Here’s a look at all the players who will appear at 2024 Orange vs. White spring game Saturday at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Game day for Clemson’s 2024 spring game is officially here.

The Tigers’ annual Orange vs. White game will begin at 1 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.

In what will be the 16th spring game under coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers will have no shortage of intrigue and interest surrounding the players who will take the field at Memorial Stadium.

Cade Klubnik returns for his second season as starter, and the Tigers feature one of the nation’s best linebackers in Barrett Carter.

There’s also incoming freshmen that fans will get their first looks at, including five-star recruits like wide receiver Bryant Wesco and linebacker Sammy Brown.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley will serve as head coach of the orange team in Saturday’s scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will serve as head coach of the white team.

Swinney had a special message for fans in his final meeting with the media ahead of Saturday’s game.

“Man, I really hope they’ll show up and we’ll have a great crowd,” Swinney said. “It’s free, it is a very meaningful opportunity for us as a program, and our fans always show up. For a lot of these midyears (players), this is a big moment because the next time they actually play, the scoreboard’s going to be lit up.

“So this is a great opportunity to try to hopefully create that game feeling for some of these guys. And then we’ve got some guys that are getting a lot more opportunity as your team changes every year and you start over.”

With that, here’s a look at the rosters for Saturday’s spring game.

Orange Team

Coaches: Garrett Riley (head coach), Tyler Grisham, Mickey Conn, Chris Rumph, Matt Luke

Quarterbacks: Cade Klubnik, Trent Pearman, Colby Shaw

Running backs: Phil Mafah, Jarvis Green, Peyton Streko, Tristen Rigby, Kevin McNeal

Wide receivers: Bryant Wesco, Antonio Williams, Charlie Johnson, Adam Randall, Jackson Crosby, Joseph Flesch, Clay Swinney, Blackmon Huckabee, Jr.

Tight ends: Jake Briningstool, Olsen Patt-Henry, Banks Pope

Offensive linemen: Tristan Leigh, Marcus Tate, Will Boggs, Harris Sewell, Ryan Linthicum, Bryce Smith, Collin Sadler, Blake Miller, Nathan Brooks, Watson Miller, Sam Judy

Defensive ends: A.J. Hoffler, Zaire Patterson, Jahiem Lawson, Armon Mason

Defensive tackles: Payton Page, Jaheim Scott, Stephiylan Green, Champ Thompson, Peyton Pitts

Linebackers: Barrett Carter, Dee Crayton, Reed Morrissey, Jamal Anderson, Fletcher Cothran, Philippe Kabasele

Cornerbacks: Corian Gipson, Shelton Lewis, Myles Oliver, Branden Strozie

Safeties: Kylon Griffin, Bubba McAtee, Tyler Venables, Joe Wilkinson, Caleb Nix, Peter Nearn, Walt Smith, Sherrod Covil Jr.

Special teams: Robert Gunn III (K), Quinn Castner (K), Jack Smith (P), Holden Caspersen (LS)

White Team

Coaches: Wed Goodwin (head coach), Mike Reed, Kyle Richardson, C.J. Spiller, Nick Eason

Quarterbacks: Christopher Vizzina, Trent Pearman

Running backs: Keith Adams Jr., David Eziomume, Wise Segars Jr.

Wide receivers: Misun Kelley, Hampton Earle, Ronan Hanafin, Tristan Martinez, Zach Jackson, Jack Purkerson, Chase Byrd, Clay Swinney

Tight ends: Josh Sapp, Marcus Dixon

Offensive linemen: Ian Reed, Mason Johnstone, Elyjah Thurmon, Dietrick Pennington, Harris Sewell, Jake Norris, Trent Howard, Zack Owens, Jackson Hall, Chapman Pendergrass, Mason Wade, Dominic Cordone

Defensive ends: T.J. Parker, Cade Denhoff, Levi Mathews, Adam Kissayi

Defensive tackles: Caden Story, Tre Williams, DeMonte Capehart, Patrick Swygert

Linebackers: Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, Chandler McMaster, Kobe McCloud, Griffin Batt

Cornerbacks: Austin Randall, Tavoy Feagin, Avieon Terrell, Michael Mankaka

Safeties: Khalil Barnes, R.J. Mickens, Jacob Hendricks, Kylen Webb, Noah Dixon, Boston Miller, Robert Billings

Special teams: Nolan Hauser (PK), Hogan Morton (PK), Aidan Swanson (P), Will McCune (P) Philip Florenzo (LS)

Barrett Carter named to PFF’s 2024 college football best returning players in the nation team

Barrett Carter is one of the two best-returning linebackers in college football.

The Clemson football program received excellent news when star linebacker Barrett Carter announced he would be returning to Clemson for another season with the Tigers.

Barrett Carter, a key player for the Tigers and a potential early pick in the 2024 NFL draft, surprised many people when he opted to return to Clemson. The young linebacker is committed to further development within the program and improving his draft stock in the 2025 class. Last season, Carter stood out in 11 games, securing the second spot on the team with 59 tackles and the third spot with nine tackles for loss, along with three sacks. It was significant news that fans could be really excited about.

Recently, PFF named Carter to their 2024 College Football All-Returners Team, the best returning players in college football.

Carter was the top linebacker prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft entering the season before surprising many by returning for his senior year. While his junior season didn’t quite live up to what he showed as a sophomore (70.6 PFF grade in 2023 compared to 81.4 in 2022), Carter’s entire body of work over the last two years still earns him one of the top spots on this list.

No returning Power Five linebacker since 2022 has been more valuable than Carter according to PFF’s wins above average metric. He’s especially dominant on passing downs, as he’s the only one in that same group with 80-plus grades as both a pass rusher and run defender in that span. Carter is a supreme athlete who can re-enter first-round conversations with a bounceback 2024 campaign.

While Carter’s return was a surprise, you best believe Clemson fans won’t be complaining. Carter will be the heart and soul of the Tigers’ defense in the 2024 season.

Barrett Carter on Sammy Brown: ‘That kid’s special, to say the least’

Clemson defenders are sharing high praise for new linebacker Sammy Brown.

The Clemson football program landed one of the top recruits in the 2024 class, 5-star linebacker Sammy Brown.

The Tigers needed help at linebacker with the departure of Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and they got exactly that with Brown. There has been some serious hype around the young linebacker, and for good reason, he has all the tools to be one of the best linebackers in the country.

Clemson star linebacker Barrett Carter recently discussed what he’s seen from Brown so far, sharing praise for what Brown is capable of.
“That kid’s special, to say the least. He’s gifted. What I like about Sammy is that he’s very aware that football is such a mental game… he’s been hungry to learn and eager to learn, and he’s put in so much extra time besides what we have mandatory. Just trying to learn the place, he’ll come to me, ask me questions… he’s going to be special, but I’m really impressed with how smart he is,” Carter said.

Carter isn’t the only one who’s been impressed with Brown. Starting linebacker Wade Woodaz had excellent things to say about the freshman, particularly about his work in the weight room.

“He’s a machine in the weight room and on the field. Just steady Eddy, never phases,” Woodaz said. “Makes us all better just by pushing us because this guy is 18 years old coming in here and he’s stronger than most of us.”

Fans should be excited about Brown as he could be the Tigers’ next great linebacker.

Analyst sees Clemson as 3 seed in way-too-early 2024 CFP rankings

At least one analyst has the Clemson Tigers as a high seed in the 2024 College Football Playoff in his way-too-early rankings.

Clemson entered the offseason as the odds-on favorite to win the ACC next season. At least one analyst forecasts the Tigers to be a high seed in the College Football Playoff in his way-too-early rankings for the 2024 season.

CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson predicts that Clemson will be the No. 3 overall seed in the new 12-team Playoff. In the new format, the top four seeds all receive first-round byes. The No. 3 seed will then face the winner of the No. 6 vs. No. 11 matchup.

Noting Clemson’s late success in the 2023 recruiting cycle, particularly on defense, Patterson shares the general consensus that the Tigers will feature the best defensive unit in the ACC. The team will return eight of the 11 players who started in last year’s Gator Bowl victory over Kentucky, most notably linebacker Barrett Carter and defensive linemen Peter Woods and T.J. Parker.

Clemson will also return 10 of 11 players on offense who started in the Gator Bowl.

“With Year 2 of the Cade Klubnik-Garrett Riley relationship ahead, I’m expecting some steps forward on offense as well,” Patterson notes.

Clemson star linebacker named to ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ All-America Team for 2024

Barrett Carter is one of the best in the country heading into the 2024 season.

Clemson’s defense is always good these days, and they will be that much better in 2024 with star linebacker Barrett Carter returning for another season.

Carter, a key player for the Tigers and a potential early pick in the 2024 NFL draft, surprised everyone by choosing to stick with the team. The young linebacker opted to return to develop and, possibly, improve his draft stock.

ESPN recently named way too early 2024 All-Americans, with Carter named as one of the three first-team linebackers.

Although he was overshadowed by Jeremiah Trotter Jr. last season, Carter decided to return as the leader of Clemson’s defense and one of college football’s most versatile linebackers instead of entering the NFL draft . He has nine sacks and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons and is equally effective on both running and passing downs.

Carter was great in 2023, performing as a top defender for the Tigers. I11 games, securing the second spot on the team with 59 tackles and the third spot with nine tackles for loss, along with three sacks.

In 2024, the defense will be Carter’s to lead. He will step into the Trotter Jr. role as the face of the defense, and he is fully capable of doing so.

Athlon Sports names Barrett Carter one of the top 15 players who passed on the 2024 NFL draft

Barrett Carter is one of the best returning players in college football.

Clemson’s football squad is thrilled to welcome back a standout defender from the impactful 2023 season.

Barrett Carter, a crucial figure for the Tigers and a potential early selection in the 2024 NFL draft, surprised everyone by opting to stay with the team. Despite the initial shock, Carter is dedicated to advancing his skills within the program.

In the last season, Carter made his mark in 11 games, clinching the second position on the team with 59 tackles and the third position with nine tackles for loss, accompanied by three sacks. This development is noteworthy and fans are thrilled to have him back.

Of late, a lot of outlets have been discussing the top players who opted to return to college football instead of taking their talents to the NFL. The latest to do so is Athlon Sports, who named Carter one of the 15 top returning players who opted to return for another season.

Carter’s decision to return in ’24 was a mild surprise, but coordinator Wes Goodwin and coach Dabo Swinney certainly aren’t complaining about one of the top linebackers in the nation coming back to Death Valley.

Carter finished second on the team with 62 stops (9.5 TFL) and registered 3.5 sacks in ’23, which brought his career total to 151 tackles.

Per PFF, Carter’s missed tackle rate jumped from 12.8 percent in ’22 to 20.5 in ’23, so there is certainly room for the Georgia native to improve. With fellow running mate at linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. opting for the NFL, Carter should be one of the leaders for a standout defense next year.

Clemson’s defense will look different in 2024, but the Tigers are in good hands. Carter will step into the Jeremiah Trotter Jr. role in this defense and we expect him to excel as the focal point of the defense.

Barrett Carter is the top linebacker for the 2025 NFL draft

Carter returns to Clemson with a chance to improve his draft stock but remains the top linebacker option in 2025.

The Clemson football program is returning one of its best defenders from the 2023 season which was huge for the program.

Barrett Carter, a key player for the Tigers and a potential early pick in the 2024 NFL draft, surprised everyone by choosing to stick with the team. Despite the shock, he’s committed to further development within the program. In the recent season, Carter stood out in 11 games, securing the second spot on the team with 59 tackles and the third spot with nine tackles for loss, along with three sacks. It was significant news that fans can be really excited about.

PFF recently released an article naming the top prospect at each position that turned down the 2024 NFL draft, with Carter being there choice.

Carter entered the season as the top linebacker prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft according to PFF’s lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema. While his PFF grade took a step back as a junior (70.6 compared to 81.4 in 2022), he still has elite athleticism and an all-around game that’ll make him one of the top linebackers in the 2025 draft as well.

Carter, seen as a potential first-round pick by some and a second-round pick by others, is set on strengthening his draft position in 2024. While his decision to stay is mainly about personal development, it also presents a chance for him to enhance his standing as the defensive centerpiece for Clemson. This move has the potential to boost Carter’s draft stock even more.

That, and it is great for the program!

ESPN’s Matt Miller names Barrett Carter the No.1 LB to watch for the 2025 NFL draft

While we haven’t had the 2024 NFL draft yet, Matt Miller is already looking at Barrett Carter as a top player in the 2025 NFL draft.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program got incredible news when Barrett Carter announced he would return for another season with the Tigers.

Carter, one of the Tigers’ stop players and a possible first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, shocked many with this decision. Yet, he remains with the program as he looks to develop further.

Carter played in 11 games this season for the Tigers, ranking second on the team with 59 total tackles and third with nine tackles for loss while adding three sacks. It was huge news, and one fans should be thrilled with.

Even though we haven’t had the 2024 NFL draft yet, ESPN’s Matt Miller is already looking to the 2025 NFL draft. Miller recently released an article naming the top prospects to watch for 2025 ($$$), with Carter being the top linebacker.

Carterwas widely considered a Round 2 player for 2024 when this past season began, but he’ll return to Clemson and enter the 2025 draft process as my top-ranked linebacker. A true weakside player, Carter has nine sacks, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. At 6-1 and 230 pounds, he’s a superstar with three-down ability at the next level.

A first-round prospect for some and a second for others, Carter is going to solidify his draft stock in 2024. A big reason for his return revolves around development, but the Tigers linebacker also has an opportunity to raise his stock further and further as Clemson’s defensive cornerstone.

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Most of the time when college players make an announcement about their eligibility and the NFL draft, it’s them declaring they’re leaving school and entering the professional ranks. But not everyone leaves early, not even when projected as a potential first round pick.

There are a few college players who opted to stay in the college ranks instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Here are some of the bigger names who opted to stay in school.

Clemson Football’s Top 5 Players from the 2023 College Football season

Here are our picks for Clemson’s top 5 players from the 2023 college football season.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program had a solid 2023 that ended with a wild 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

The Tigers finished 9-4 with a 4-4 record in the ACC, which fell short of expectations for many. It’s not a bad season, just one that fans had hoped for more than what they got. Even though it wasn’t perfect, there were a lot of strong performances from the Tigers on offense and defense this season.

So, who was the best of the 2023 season for the Tigers? Opinions will vary, but we’ve got our picks. Here are our top 5 players for Clemson football’s 2023 season.