Clemson the favorite in the 2022 ACC Football Preseason Poll

The Clemson standard for the last decade has been to win Atlantic Coast Conference titles and be a staple in the College Football Playoff.

It is the same in 2022. The media concurs. The Tigers came out as the popular pick to win the conference in the ACC media poll.

Popular is a bit of an understatement. The Tigers were the runaway favorites to win the ACC earning 103 of the 164 votes cast by credentialed media during ACC Media day last week in Charlotte. Clemson is coming into 2022 after a 10-3 season.

The Tigers’ roster outlook carries a lot of promise in terms of experience. The defense could again be stout. Clemson will return their group of talented defensive linemen at the tip of their defensive sword.

Bryan Bresee is coming off ACL surgery in October. If he returns to form he’s an All-Conference type player with first-round draft aspirations.

Defensive end Myles Murphy is also projected as a high first-round selection. Murphey totaled eight sacks in 2021. Tyler Davis, Tre Williams, Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry are also back.

The Tigers’ offense is again piloted by D.J. Uiagalelei. His backup is four-star freshman Cade Klubnik. The Tigers have their top three rushers returning in Will Shipley, Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah.

Clemson opens the season with ACC play heading to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Sept. 5 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.