Kirk Herbstreit sees path for Clemson to come 'back to the party' in 2025

Clemson made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff last season since 2020, snapping a three-year streak of missing the Playoff. The Tigers, which earned the No. 12 seed, fell to No. 5 seed Texas 38-24 in the First Round of the Playoff but announced to the college football world that they were back in the national conversation.

The 2025 season looks to be even more promising for Dabo Swinney‘s program, led by fourth-year quarterback Cade Klubnik, its three leading receivers from last season Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, and its two leading tacklers from last season linebackers Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown.

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit revealed that he is high on the Tigers this year, even going as far to say that he thinks this season could mark Clemson “coming back to the party.”

“When I say make a jump, I think Clemson kind of coming back to the party,” Herbstreit said. “They’ve been away ever since Trevor Lawrence left. I think Cade [Klubnik] is ready to, kind of, handle it. I think they’ve got enough defense, new defensive coordinator, Tom Allen, takes over as their guy. I think they’ll be back.”

Clemson looking to get back to Lawrence-era success

Since Lawrence’s departure following the 2020 season, the Tigers are 40-14 over the last four seasons with no Playoff wins. During Lawrence’s time with Clemson (2018-20), the Tigers were 39-3 with three College Football Playoff game victories and a National Championship in 2018.

The 2025 season, as Herbstreit said, could definitely mark a return to form for the program.

“This year, [Clemson] has 17 returning starters led by QB Cade Klubnik who had a 33-6 ratio and is a dangerous runner,” Phil Steele wrote in his preview magazine. “Clemson used the portal a little this year to basically go from 0 to 4 returning starters on the DLine. They will have an improved D with DC Tom Allen and the offense is one of the nation’s best. Clemson opens with LSU and has road games at Georgia Tech, Louisville and South Carolina but could be favored in all 12 games.”

“With little turnover they have a cohesive roster (#2 on my Experience Chart), more of a team atmosphere than most and are a legitimate National Title contender.”

The college football world will quickly see how good this Clemson team is when it opens the season at home against LSU on August 30.