Clemson’s Top 22 of 2024

Clemson is one of those teams that no one really knows what to do with.

The Tigers have talent, but most of it is on the defensive side of the ball, which can be a problem since the game has become more offensive in the last 10 years.

With the additions of Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore at wide receiver, plus with players like tight end Jake Briningstool, wide receivers Antonio Williams and Tyler Brown and running back Phil Mafah returning, optimism is high for an offense that should be better.

However, the only thing holding Clemson back from being a lock for the College Football Playoff is the quarterback position. Will Cade Klubnik be improved and who will push him? A redshirt freshman in Christopher Vizzina and a walk-on sophomore in Trent Pearman are the Tigers’ best backups.

Clemson is ranked anywhere from No. 11 to No. 15 in the preseason polls, which is primarily based on the strength of the team. It’s no secret the Tigers’ defense is the strength of the team heading into the 2024 season, and my top 22 resembles that notion.

22 Aidan Swanson, P

21 Marcus Tate, OG

20 Walker Parks, OG

19 Blake Miller, OT

18 Payton Page, DT

17 Bryant Wesco, WR

16 Sammy Brown, LB

15 Troy Stellato, WR

14 Jeadyn Lukus, CB

13 DeMonte Capehart, DT

12 Tyler Brown, WR

11 Antonio Williams, WR

10 R.J. Mickens, S

In my opinion, Mickens is the best football player on the team. He is rarely out of position. He understands the entire defense and helps line people up. His instincts are off the chart, and he has a high football IQ. I love watching this guy play the game.

9 Avieon Terrell, CB

Terrell might be better than his older brother, Terrell, who is an All-Pro cornerback for the Falcons. His instincts are good, and he is not scared of the moment. He wants to cover the best of the best and his body language suggests that to be true.

8 Cade Klubnik, QB

Klubnik has all the talent in the world. He as strong enough arm to make the deep throws, he can thread the needle if he needs to, and he is fast. If he can stop going rogue and trust the play calls more and make decisive decisions in the RPO and passing game than he can take this offense to another level, especially with the skill players he has in place.

7 Wade Woodaz, LB

Woodaz is a name few know about heading into the season, but everyone will know around the mid-season part of the year. Woodaz is one of the more versatile defensive players in the country. He can play all three linebacker positions and can drop into zone coverage and be a safety in the Tigers’ dime defenses.

6 Phil Mafah, RB

Some will think Mafah deserves to be higher on this list, but his skill set is limited somewhat. Yes, he is a bruising back that gives Clemson a legitimate scorer in the redzone, but he is not the fastest running back on the planet and he will not break off 80-yard touchdown runs. However, Mafah has nibble feet and uses his great vision to get downhill fast. His strength allows Clemson to stay ahead of the chains even when a play is blown up from the start.

5 Khalil Barnes, S

A safety has not broken onto the scene at Clemson like Barnes since the days of Robert O’Neal and Darnell Stephens in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As a true freshman, Barnes led the Tigers with three interceptions, as well as tallying a team-high three forced fumbles, while recovering one of them himself.

4 Jake Briningstool, TE

Briningstool had the best season for a tight end at Clemson since Jordan Leggett’s senior year in 2016. The Preseason All-ACC candidate has an opportunity to rank among the best tight ends in Clemson history if he can surpass what he did a season ago.

3 Peter Woods, DL

Woods moved over to defensive end in the spring and did well. He likely will play the majority of his snaps there this fall as Clemson tries to develop depth at the end positions. However, he will play inside at times, too, as his versatility gives the Tigers a playmaker at defensive end and defensive tackle when they need one.

2 T.J. Parker, DE

Parker might be the most undervalued defensive end in the country. He was a Freshman All-American a year ago, but no one seems to talk about him. All he did last year was lead Clemson with 12.5 tackles for loss, tied for the team-best with 5.5 sacks, and was second on the team with 10 quarterback pressures.

1 Barrett Carter, LB

Carter surprised everyone last January when he decided to return to Clemson for his senior year. Carter has great instincts and his sideline-to-sideline pursuit make him one of the best backers in the country. His experience can’t go unnoticed considering he has played since he was a true freshman. Last year, he was second on the squad with 67 tackles, while also registering 9.5 tackles for loss. He also had six passes broken up and pressured the quarterback six times.

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