Clemson Football: Post Spring Top 25

Some are higher than others on the Tigers coming out of the spring.

247 Sports does not, ranking the Tigers behind FSU coming out of the spring, as Clemson ranks No. 11 in the post spring Top 25.

Clemson believes it has upgraded the offense at quarterback and coordinator, but will the receivers respond? Garrett Riley introduced his version of the Air Raid offense this spring after coaching TCU in the national championship but star power was limited due to injuries and precautionary holdouts (only five scholarship receivers were healthy). Still, the word is receivers struggled to separate in coverage, which has been a storyline the last two seasons. Quarterback Cade Klubnik has proven himself already but we’re told he may have pushed the ball downfield too often as he adjusted in Riley’s scheme during scrimmages. Still, remember, Clemson won the ACC title in 2022 amid some disappointment, and yet the belief is the Tigers this year are better than the unit last season.

Florida State, who many in the media are high on in 2023, comes in unbelievably high at No. 4.

Everything is better when Jordan Travis is on the field. Florida State will have a chance in every game if he stays healthy. Gone are the days of Travis overshadowing a bad offensive line and creating plays on the fly. No, these Seminoles are finally built to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff with a deep offensive line and a load of stars hauled from the recruiting trail and Transfer Portal. Add an NFL talent like Jared Verse at defensive end and receiver Johnny Wilson (both transfers last season), along with a lot of depth, and it’s clear why the Seminoles are ACC favorites.

The Tigers have won seven straight over the Seminoles. The last time Florida State knocked off Clemson was way back in 2014 in Tallahassee. The last time they won in Death Valley was 2013, when Tajh Boyd was still quarterback. And where do the two teams play this year? That’s right. Death Valley.