This ACC program jumps the line in McElroy's preseason top 10.
Greg McElroy Names No. 1 Team in Preseason College Football Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
For months, Texas Longhorns football has hovered near the top of nearly every major 2025 preseason ranking. The Longhorns were voted No. 1 in the Coaches Poll and have earned top billing from analysts across ESPN, FOX and On3. But former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy is zagging in a big way.
During the latest episode of his "Always College Football" podcast, McElroy unveiled his preseason top 10, and the name at the top was neither Texas nor the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
It is the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers, who finished 10–3 in 2024 and enter the season outside the top five in most polls, have McElroy’s full confidence heading into what he believes could be a national championship run.
Cade Klubnik Can Decide Clemson’s Fate
McElroy credited senior quarterback Cade Klubnik as the central reason he believes in Clemson’s title ceiling. Klubnik, now entering his third season as a starter, was once seen as an underachiever after a rocky sophomore year.
That narrative flipped last season when he threw for over 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns, along with just six interceptions. He added more than 450 rushing yards and flashed improved decision-making under pressure.
McElroy praised Klubnik’s growing chemistry with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and said he believes the two are in perfect sync entering 2025.
The Tigers' wide receiver room, led by senior Antonio Williams, features elite speed and depth, including breakout sophomore threats Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. McElroy called the unit “as good as we’ve seen from Clemson in a really long time.”
Defensive Line Talent Puts Clemson in Contender Tier
What separates Clemson from other top-tier teams, according to McElroy, is its stacked defensive line. Junior EDGE T.J. Parker leads the group after a 12-sack campaign in 2024.
Former five-star Peter Woods returns to his natural defensive tackle position after being moved around last season, and Purdue Boilermakers transfer Will Heldt adds another impact piece as one of the top defensive line pickups in the portal.
The addition of Tom Allen, the former head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, as defensive coordinator, has also drawn optimism.
McElroy said he believes Allen’s scheme will allow Clemson’s defense to play with more edge and aggression, capitalizing on a front loaded with power and speed. With true freshman Amare Adams also in the mix, the unit has both star power and depth.
Running Back Questions Linger
The lone hesitation McElroy voiced was Clemson’s uncertainty at running back. Phil Mafah is gone, and Jay Haynes is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in the ACC title game.
Five-star freshman Gideon Davidson is expected to play right away, but there is little experience in the room. Jarvis Green and David Eziomume could earn carries, but McElroy emphasized this unit is “unproven.”
Still, between Klubnik’s growth, a loaded receiver corps and a championship-caliber defensive line, McElroy said 2025 is Clemson’s window to return to the top. He ranked the Tigers ahead of not just Texas, but also Ohio State and the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Clemson opens the season against the LSU Tigers at home on Aug. 30, and if they start fast, McElroy’s bold prediction may not look so bold for long.
Related: Paul Finebaum Fires Back at ESPN Analyst Over SEC Narrative
Related: ESPN’s Heather Dinich Defends "Underrated" College Football Program After Coaches Poll Drop
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
