Clemson Tigers Football: Phil Steele 2025 Forecast

There are no limits to Clemson‘s potential in the 2025 campaign. Ahead of the season, college football expert Phil Steele provided an in-depth analysis of the Tigers, starting with the team’s offense.

“This year QB [Cade] Klubnik and my #2 receiving corps operate behind my #3 Oline,” Steele said. “While they lose RB [Phil] Mafah, they have a fine stable of backs and this is one of the most potent offenses in the country!”

Clemson’s offense will be loaded this fall. The Tigers are returning eight starters on offense. Most notably, starting quarterback Cade Klubnik is running it back with the program.

Klubnik had a breakout season in 2024, tallying 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. His 36 touchdown passes were the third-most in the country last season, only trailing Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, both of whom have moved onto the next level.

Klubnik won’t have a shortage of targets. Clemson is returning its top-three leading receivers from last season: Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and TJ Moore. The Tigers defense should be stellar, as well.

“This year the defensive line is much more experienced and deeper and they have my #8 rated LB corps,” Steele wrote. “New DC Tom Allen will have them allowing less big plays, and this will be more of the type of defense you expect to see on the field for Clemson.”

Like its offense, Clemson’s defense is also returning eight starters. Along with its numerous returning contributors, Clemson’s defense will have a fresh face calling the shots: Tom Allen.

Clemson hired Allen after firing defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin in January. Last season, Clemson’s defense allowed 374.1 yards per game, ranking No. 69 in the country. In comparison, Allen’s Penn State defense gave up just 294.8 yards per game, the seventh-least in the nation.

With no shortage of weapons at his disposal, Allen should immediately be able to field one of the best defenses in college football. If the Tigers’ offense lives up to its end of the bargain, Clemson could be competing for a national championship in January.

“Clemson used the portal a little this year to basically go from 0 to 4 returning starters on the DLine,” Steele wrote. “They will have an improved D with DC Tom Allen and the offense is one of the nation’s best.

“Clemson opens with LSU and has road games at [Georgia] Tech, Louisville and South Carolina but could be favored in all 12 games. With little turnover they have a cohesive roster… more of a team atmosphere than most and are a legitimate National Title contender.”