2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 9-4, Win vs. Kentucky in Gator Bowl (38-35)

There was high hopes for Clemson last season but a season-opening loss to Duke put a hold on them. The Tigers scored just seven points in the loss and put question marks around what the team was going to be. Clemson would also drop an overtime game to Florida State before back-to-back losses against Miami and NC State. The season ended with a victory over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.

Offense: Klubnik hype could come to fruition

Cade Klubnik entered the 2023 season with incredible hype and it did not play out as expected. This could have just come from where he was going to school. The days of Trevor Lawrence are long in the rear view and the Tigers are looking for the next answer. Clemson is hoping the combination of Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has the answer.

Klubnik will have a variety of weapons to work with. It begins with Phil Mafah, who proved to be one of the ACC’s best running backs. Now, he is one of the top returners in the nation after totaling 965 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. The run game will have a strong presence for Clemson once again this season.

Tight end Jake Briningstool leads pass catches with 498 yards. On the outside, a duo of sophomores will be asked to step up. Tyler Brown and Antonio Williams will take on an extended role for a new-look group of wide receivers. Clemson’s offense was not explosive last season and there are major question marks once again.

Defense: Tigers to follow up on big-time year

The Clemson defense took Brent Venables leading for Oklahoma in stride.

The Tigers were tied for the top spot in the nation forcing 28 turnovers while finishing Top 10 in total defense. Clemson is used to replacing losses to the NFL and this year is no different. What will work in the team’s favor is the returners at important positions.

Barrett Carter returns at linebacker after finishing with 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. RJ Mickens also passed on the NFL for one more year and he will be a leader in the secondary. The veteran presence will be important to lead the next generation of young players, led by defensive linemen Peter Woods and TJ Parker. Sammy Brown will also make an impact soon enough. He enters the program as the highest-rated linebacker recruit in program history.

The Tigers do not have to force 28 turnovers once again in order to be productive. This will still be a defense that takes the ball away thanks to an elite pass defense.

2024 Clemson Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Georgia (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Appalachian State
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. N.C. State
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Stanford
• Saturday, Oct. 5: at Florida State
• Saturday, Oct. 12: at Wake Forest
• Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. Virginia
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Louisville
• Saturday, Nov. 9: at Virginia Tech
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at Pitt
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Citadel
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. South Carolina