Tag: Clemson

Clemson falls a spot, Ohio State jumps to No. 1 in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25

Clemson dropped a spot in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25.

In the 2023 Clemson football season, Coach Dabo Swinney led the team through ups and downs. They ended with a thrilling win against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, but their 9-4 record and 4-4 ACC standing left fans wanting more consistency. Now, attention turns to 2024, with talks of changes to improve Clemson’s game.

Clemson like years prior, has a tremendous ceiling. They have the talent to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff and the defense to win it all. Much of their future success revolves around the offense and how starting quarterback Cade Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley fare in 2024. If the offense can put things together, well Clemson could be a powerhouse.

Even so, the Tigers dropped a spot in 247Sports latest Preseason Top 25 to No. 16.

Are we still feeling about about the Tigers’ chances near the top of the ACC race or is reigning champion Florida State the team to beat with Miami gaining steam? Coming out of spring, the hype seems to have simmered a bit on Clemson — just the way Dabo Swinney likes it. Clemson gets Phil Mafah back, but it’s going to have to manufacture production elsewhere in the run game to take some of the pressure off Cade Klubnik, who’s back for his second season as the Tigers’ QB1. Swinney liked the progress his signal caller made this spring. Clemson’s defense should be one of the nation’s best.

The consensus here is that the Tigers’ success revolves around how the offense looks. They have a star running back, so the run game will be covered, but outside of that, a lot is in the air. It goes beyond just Klubnik, too. 

The offensive line needs to perform, and the playmakers at wide receiver and tight end need to take the next step. If Klubnik is properly supported, we could see a massive break out in 2024 from the junior signal caller.

 

Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens enters transfer portal

Another Tiger enters the transfer portal.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are losing another player to the spring transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens has entered the portal. The redshirt freshman’s time with the program has come to an end.

Owens appeared in two games during his Clemson career, playing 13 offensive snaps before redshirting. The Tigers are looking to bolster their offensive line and Owens won’t be a part of that with this news.

A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, 247Sports ranked Owens as the No. 18 offensive tackle and the No. 198 overall player in the class. Recruited by some of the best schools in the country, Owens should have some great offers in the portal.

Schedule change made for Clemson vs. Pitt series

Clemson vs. Pitt schedule change made.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Due to forecasted inclement weather on Sunday, the series between Pittsburgh and Clemson at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is now scheduled to conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. The second game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin approximately 45 minutes after Saturday’s first game concludes. Game 1 of the series is still scheduled for today at 6 p.m.

Live video for all three games is available on ACC Network Extra. Both contests on Saturday are also still scheduled as nine-inning games.

Tickets for Saturday’s originally scheduled game are valid for the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, while tickets for Sunday’s originally scheduled game are valid for the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The stadium will be cleared in between games on Saturday.

With the schedule change, the celebration of life of Doug Kingsmore will now take place on Saturday at approximately 12:40 p.m. on the field at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Log on to ClemsonTigers.com and follow @ClemsonBaseball for updates.

–Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Where Clemson lands in this way-too-early 12-team College Football Playoff projection

Is Clemson getting an at-large bid in the 2024 College Football Playoff?

Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s football team have had some really good offense in the past, especially when Trevor Lawrence was playing. But ever since Lawrence left for the NFL, things haven’t been as great.

Things could change in 2024. Cade Klubnik is starting his second year as the main quarterback, and he needs to improve if the team wants to do well. Garrett Riley, who’s in charge of the offense, is also in his second year with Clemson. People are hoping he can help the team’s offense just like he did with TCU when they went all the way to the National Championship.

With everything surrounding the Tigers, they are one of the most interesting teams in college football heading into the 2024 season. Our friends over at Ducks Wire recently made their way-too-early 12-team College Football Playoff projection, with Clemson earning an at-large bid and the No. 11. 

Much like Kansas State, there is a path for Clemson to get into the playoff should they be able to have a strong season and make it to the ACC title game. Cade Klubnik has a lot to prove as the QB, but we know how good Dabo Swinney is as a head coach, so I believe the Tigers can get there.

Florida State wins the conference in this situation, which is definitely a possibility, but not how I see this season playing out. From my perspective, Clemson has more talent on their roster, and I still believe that Dabo Swinney is a better head coach than Mike Norvell. 

The ACC should be incredibly interesting in 2024. 

Clemson vs. Florida State is one of college football’s 10 most meaningful games in 2024

Clemson vs. Florida State has huge implications in 2024.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson are gearing up for a rematch against Florida State in the 2024 season, eager to avenge their previous encounters. The anticipation for this showdown is palpable, with both teams intensifying their preparations during the offseason. As the season draws closer, the rivalry between Clemson and FSU only grows stronger, promising an electrifying clash on the field.

Adding to the intrigue is DJ Uiagalelei, former Clemson starting quarterback and now leader of the Seminoles’ offense. His transition to Florida State has injected new energy into the matchup, sparking debates and speculation among fans and analysts alike. With Uiagalelei at the helm, the stakes are higher than ever, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle between these college football powerhouses.

According to 247Sports, Clemson’s matchup with Florida State is the No. 8 most meaningful game for the 2024 season.

The Seminoles snapped a seven-game losing streak to Clemson with last season’s overtime win in Death Valley, a victory that catapulted Florida State to bigger and better things under coach Mike Norvell. This is one of four nationally-ranked opponents the Tigers have to deal with this fall amid one of the toughest schedules Dabo Swinney’s program has had to face in recent years as a national title contender. This is Clemson’s fifth game of the year and likely third against a top-25 team.

Clemson lands All-Conference forward in the transfer portal

Clemson continues to snag talent from the transfer portal.

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson women’s basketball program and head coach Shawn Poppie announced the signing of transfer student Tessa Miller on Wednesday.

Miller, a 6’2” transfer student-athlete from Belmont and native of Crossville, Tennessee, was a 2023-24 All-Missouri Valley Conference selection after averaging 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest last season.

In seven contests against power-five competition last season – including games against Georgia, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Stanford – Miller averaged 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 60% from the floor. She scored at least 12 points in every game she played against power-five opponents last season.

Miller, a graduate student who has one year of eligibility left, is coming off the best season of her career. She recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Bruins’ game against Georgia, 24 points and 12 boards against Drake, and a season-high 25 points in Belmont’s contest against Murray State.

POPPIE’S THOUGHTS

“We are thrilled to welcome Tessa Miller and her family into our Clemson Family. Tessa brings so much versatility to our front court with her ability to score from multiple areas all while being such a great passer. Her competitive spirit is shown on the court but also overflow into her personality. Tessa will represent our program on and off the cout in a way that will make Tiger Nation proud. I can’t wait to get to work with her.”

TICKETS: Deposits for season tickets can be made at https://bit.ly/3TSTzQ9.

 SOCIAL MEDIA: Make sure to follow Clemson women’s basketball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on everything happening with the Tigers.

Will Shipley identified as an NFL draft sleeper by ESPN

Will Shipley a sleeper in the 2024 NFL draft?

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have had a star running back in their backfield for a long time, with Will Shipley being the latest to depart for the NFL. 

The 2024 NFL draft is fast approaching, and while Shipley is not expected to be one of the first running backs drafted in this class, he has the talent and work ethic to become a star in the NFL for the right team and in the right situation. 

Shipley was a menace in college, running hard, catching out of the backfield, and providing explosive plays for a Clemson offense that seriously lacked it. According to ESPN and their panel of coaches ($$$), Shipley is a sleeper in this draft.

Shipley was a bright spot for Clemson’s offense during a stretch where the unit struggled to find consistent production. He contributed as a runner, a receiver and on returns, where he piled up 904 yards on kickoff runbacks. Shipley had 15 rushing touchdowns in 2022 and became the first ACC player to earn all-league honors at three different positions in the same season. He had 69 receptions in his final two seasons at Clemson.

Here’s what coach had to say:

Very versatile, tough, he can do a lot of things,” an ACC coach said. “He’s a three-down back.” Added an ACC defensive coordinator: “Shipley has special teams return value, but he has elite ball skills. He could be a guy that could catch 40, 50 balls in his rookie years and have production. That’s where he stands out.

I love the assessment here; Shipley could definitely be a three-down back and return special teams value. The only thing holding him back from this is pass blocking, which is something that can be refined at the next level.

During a career that spanned from 2021-23, Shipley totaled 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns on 526 career rushing attempts and 602 yards and two touchdowns on 85 career receptions in 1,526 offensive snaps over 36 career games (27 starts). During this past season, the junior running back rushed 167 times for 827 yards and five touchdowns . He added 31 catches for 244 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 12 games.

Dabo Swinney continues praise for freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco

Bryant Wesco has been impressing his head coach.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers need a star at wide receiver and they may have gotten just that in freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco.

Wesco was an early enrollee with high expectations as a five-star recruit, and so far, he’s lived up to those expectations. Wesco recorded three catches for 26 yards and a ridiculous touchdown in the Tigers’ Orange and White spring game, looking like a threat on the outside. He’s been so promising that Swinney has taken notice of what Wesco has been doing and what he has shown him as a player.

“You get these guys in here as freshmen, you never really know exactly where they are till you start coaching them and some guys, you come in and  you see the talent right away but maybe the maturity and even the commitment is not quite where it needs to be,” Swinney said. “He’s a kid, from day one, the commitment is above the talent and it just drives everything. He’s very conscientiousness, he can take things from the meeting rooms to the practice field.

“He’s already put on about eight or nine pounds and he’s still going to be a developing guy between now and August. He just took right to it and he had a lot of opportunity…man, he took advantage of it and really showed that he’s a guy that can play and he’s definitely going to be a guy that can help us.”

Clemson has talent at wide receiver with guys such as Antonio Williams and Tyler Brown, but neither fit the mold of a true alpha wide receiver. That’s where Wesco can fit right in.

If Wesco can have an immediate impact for this offense, the Tigers’ wide receiver room is going to be a lot stronger than many expect.

Clemson guard Chase Hunter enters his name for the 2024 NBA draft

Chase Hunter is headed to the NBA draft.

Brad Brownell and the Clemson men’s basketball team are losing one of their top players to the 2024 NBA draft.

Senior guard Chase Hunter took to social media Wednesday to announce that he will enter his name for the NBA draft, but maintain his eligibility. PJ Hall did the same thing last season, later opting to return for the another season with the Tigers. A smart decision from Hunter, who can see where he may land in the draft and make a decision on what is best for him.

Hunter was phenomenal for the Tigers this past season, especially in the tournament as they made their run to the Elite 8. He earned West All-Region Team honors as the Tigers’ clear top performer in March Madness. During the regular season, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game, while adding in 0.3 blocks per game.

While he could depart for the NBA, there is still a chance he could return for one more season.

Clemson lands huge commitment in the transfer portal

Clemson makes a splash in the transfer portal.

Just because Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program aren’t active in the transfer portal, that doesn’t mean Brad Brownell and the Tigers’ men’s basketball team aren’t.

Recently, Brownell landed a huge commitment in a big man from Cincinnati in the transfer portal. Announcing Wednesday via Instagram, Viktor Lakhin has committed to play for Brownell and the Tigers. A huge pickup for the Tigers who have lost multiple contributors to the transfer portal.

Hailing from Anapa, Russia, Lakhin had a significant impact as a redshirt junior for the Bearcats in the 2023-24 season. He showcased his skills in 24 games out of 29 appearances as a starter, maintaining solid averages of 9.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, all while logging an average of 21.7 minutes on the court. With a field goal percentage of 49.8%, he also contributed defensively with 23 blocked shots and 16 steals throughout the season.

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