Clemson football is well-represented in ESPN’s breakdown of the 40 players most likely to shape the 2025 college football season, with star power showing up on both sides of the ball.

After returning to the College Football Playoff last year, Clemson is projected by ESPN to take another step forward, opening at No. 1 in the network’s preseason ACC power rankings. Analysts see Dabo Swinney’s squad as the league’s top national title threat and the only ACC team slotted in the “should be in” playoff category.