National writers are already setting high expectations for Clemson and South Carolina football ahead of the 2025 season. Both programs from the Palmetto State earned spots in the Top 25 of multiple “way too early” rankings released by ESPN, The Athletic, and CBS Sports following Monday’s national championship game.
Clemson landed at No. 7 in ESPN’s rankings, while South Carolina was slotted at No. 10. In The Athletic’s poll, Clemson climbed to No. 5, with USC ranked No. 16. CBS Sports placed Clemson at No. 8 and USC at No. 11.
Among other top-ranked teams, ESPN named defending champion Ohio State No. 1, The Athletic gave the top spot to Penn State, and CBS Sports ranked Texas as the team to beat.
Additional “way too early” rankings also highlighted Clemson and South Carolina:
- Sporting News: Clemson (No. 7), South Carolina (No. 14)
- Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: Clemson (No. 8), South Carolina (No. 13)
- Athlon Sports: Clemson (No. 7), South Carolina (No. 12)
- 247Sports: Clemson (No. 6), South Carolina (No. 11)
Clemson wrapped up a 10-4 season highlighted by a victory over SMU in the ACC Championship and its seventh appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers return key players, including quarterback Cade Klubnik and standout defensive lineman Peter Woods. Head coach Dabo Swinney made significant changes to his staff, replacing defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin with Penn State’s Tom Allen. In another first for the program, Clemson signed three players from the transfer portal, marking a new approach for Swinney and his team.
“They’ll undoubtedly be the team to beat in the league in 2025, with Klubnik, Williams, Woodaz, Parker, Woods, and Miller all deciding to return for another season,” wrote ESPN’s Mark Schlabach about the Tigers. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks carry plenty of momentum into next season following a 9-4 campaign that ended with a bowl loss to Illinois. USC began 3-3 but closed out the regular season on a six-game winning streak.
Head coach Shane Beamer will have quarterback LaNorris Sellers back after his breakout year and has been highly active in the transfer portal, adding players like running back Rahsul Faison and multiple defensive contributors. Mike Shula takes over as offensive coordinator, replacing Dowell Loggains, who left to become the head coach at App State.
“The Gamecocks were in the CFP discussion at the end of the season thanks to the development of quarterback LaNorris Sellers,” noted CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd. “The schedule is brutal, with road games at Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. Alabama and Clemson will visit Columbia. With a strong preseason ranking, even a three-loss season could be enough to get South Carolina into the CFP this time.”
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