ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit reveals that he sees a path for Clemson to come ‘back to the party’ in 2025.
In a world where college football is constantly shifting, with teams rising and falling, one name that has dominated the conversation for much of the past decade is Clemson. The Tigers have been the gold standard of college football, particularly in the ACC, with a string of remarkable seasons under head coach Dabo Swinney. From national championships to ACC titles, the program has experienced incredible success. But, in recent years, Clemson has faced challenges that have caused some to question whether they can return to the heights they once occupied.
However, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, one of the most respected analysts in college football, recently weighed in on Clemson’s trajectory and revealed that he believes the Tigers have a real path to returning to the “party” in 2025. What he sees isn’t just a fleeting hope or a distant dream but a tangible way for the Tigers to rebound and once again be a contender on the national stage.
For Clemson fans, Herbstreit’s comments were a breath of fresh air. In a time when Clemson’s dominance seems to be waning, especially with the rise of other powerhouses in the SEC and Big Ten, there’s a sense that the Tigers are in a period of transition. Yet Herbstreit, who has been a keen observer of the sport for decades, sees a blueprint for a resurgence. He’s not just looking at what Clemson has accomplished in the past but analyzing the pieces they currently have and what could be in place for a return to prominence.
The Decline of Clemson: What Went Wrong?
Before diving into how Clemson could come back, it’s essential to understand why they’ve been in the midst of a decline in recent seasons. From 2015 to 2020, Clemson was a perennial powerhouse, regularly competing for national championships and consistently finishing near the top of the college football rankings. The 2016 and 2018 seasons were particularly notable, with the Tigers winning two national titles in that span.
However, the 2021 and 2022 seasons saw a dip in performance that raised questions about the program’s future. While they remained a top-10 team in the country, they were no longer the juggernaut they once were. The main issue in 2021 was an offense that struggled to find consistency, largely due to the regression of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. The once-promising young star, who had shown flashes of brilliance, seemed to lose his rhythm, leading to a lack of production from an offense that had been a hallmark of Clemson’s success.
Clemson’s defense, while still elite, couldn’t carry the team on its own, and the Tigers found themselves losing critical games that they would have easily won in previous seasons. The result was a 10-3 record in 2021, a far cry from the national championship-caliber teams of the past.
In 2022, Clemson showed some signs of improvement, but the program still struggled with consistency. They had a strong defense, but questions remained about the offense and whether they could compete with the high-powered offenses in the SEC and Big Ten. While they won the ACC and made a New Year’s Six bowl game, the Tigers were ultimately outmatched by the elite teams in college football, notably falling to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.
Herbstreit’s Path to a Clemson Comeback
Despite the challenges Clemson has faced recently, Herbstreit sees a way for the program to return to the national stage in 2025. His analysis is rooted in several key factors, both on the field and off it, that he believes will propel Clemson back into the mix of college football’s elite.
- Coaching Stability and Leadership:
One of the primary reasons Herbstreit believes Clemson can get back to competing for championships is their continued leadership under Dabo Swinney. Swinney, who took over as head coach in 2008, has built one of the most successful programs in college football. His ability to develop talent, recruit elite players, and maintain a winning culture has been unmatched.
While Clemson has faced some challenges in recent years, Swinney’s commitment to the program has not wavered. He’s still one of the most respected figures in the sport, and his ability to lead his team through adversity is a key reason why Herbstreit believes the Tigers will be back. Even when things weren’t going well in 2021 and 2022, Swinney kept his team focused on the bigger picture and made the necessary adjustments.
Herbstreit points to Swinney’s track record of bouncing back after difficult seasons as a major reason for optimism. Swinney has proven that he can adjust when things aren’t going well, and with the right changes, he can get Clemson back to championship contention.
- Quarterback Play: The Key to Clemson’s Future:
The quarterback position has been a source of frustration for Clemson in recent seasons, but Herbstreit believes the Tigers have a legitimate chance to fix that in 2025. DJ Uiagalelei, once seen as the future of the program, struggled during his time as the starting quarterback. But in 2023, Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State, opening the door for Cade Klubnik, the highly touted 5-star recruit from the 2022 class, to take over the reins.
Klubnik showed flashes of brilliance during his limited time in 2022, and many analysts, including Herbstreit, believe he has the potential to develop into a star. Klubnik is a dynamic playmaker with a strong arm, mobility, and the leadership qualities that Swinney demands from his quarterbacks. Herbstreit noted that Klubnik’s ability to grow into the starting role and improve his decision-making will be critical to Clemson’s chances in 2025.
Clemson’s success over the years has often been tied to the play of elite quarterbacks, and with Klubnik, the Tigers have a quarterback who could potentially elevate the program back to national contention. If Klubnik can harness his full potential and lead the offense with consistency, Herbstreit sees a path where Clemson can once again challenge for playoff spots and national titles.
- Rejuvenated Offensive Line and Skill Position Players:
Another area where Herbstreit sees potential for Clemson is in the development of their offensive line and skill position players. The Tigers have recruited at an elite level for years, and while their offensive line has been solid, it hasn’t been at the level of some of the top programs in the country. However, with several key players returning and a talented group of recruits coming in, Herbstreit believes that the offensive line will be much improved in the coming seasons.
The offensive line is crucial for Clemson’s success, especially given the style of play that Swinney prefers. Clemson’s offensive line has always been built to create a dominant running game, and with running backs like Will Shipley, the Tigers are in good shape in that department. A rejuvenated offensive line would not only help open up running lanes but also provide Klubnik with the time he needs to develop as a quarterback.
Additionally, Clemson boasts some of the top skill position players in the country, including Shipley, wide receiver Beaux Collins, and tight end Davis Allen. With more experience and improved play from these players, Herbstreit believes that Clemson’s offense could return to the high-scoring unit it was in previous years.
- Elite Defense:
While Clemson’s offense has been inconsistent, their defense has remained a constant strength. The Tigers’ defensive line has been one of the best in the country, consistently producing NFL talent and wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. With players like Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee (both NFL-bound), Clemson’s defense has shown that it can compete at the highest level.
Herbstreit points out that while Clemson’s defense might not have been as dominant as it once was, they still have the pieces to be a top unit in 2025. With players like linebacker Trenton Simpson and defensive linemen like Tyler Davis and K.J. Henry, Clemson has the talent to challenge any offense in the country.
As college football continues to evolve with more high-powered offenses, Herbstreit believes that Clemson’s defense can help anchor the team and keep them competitive in the national conversation. With Swinney’s commitment to developing defensive talent, Clemson’s defensive unit will once again be a force to reckon with in the coming seasons.
- Recruiting Success:
One of the main reasons Herbstreit is so optimistic about Clemson’s future is their ability to recruit at a consistently high level. While they may not have the same recruiting class depth as some of the powerhouse SEC teams, Clemson has maintained a top-tier level of talent across the board. Swinney’s ability to find under-the-radar prospects and develop them into stars has been a hallmark of the program.
With continued success on the recruiting trail, Clemson’s future looks bright. The Tigers have brought in elite prospects at every position, and many of those players will begin to see significant playing time in 2024 and beyond. This influx of talent will only improve Clemson’s chances of returning to the national title conversation.
- The Return of Clemson’s Edge:
Herbstreit emphasizes the importance of regaining the swagger and edge that Clemson had during their championship runs. In recent years, the Tigers have seemed a bit off, perhaps due to internal struggles or the rise of new powers. But Herbstreit firmly believes that with the right leadership and a renewed focus, Clemson will rediscover what made them so dangerous in the past. He pointed out that Clemson’s success has always been tied to their mentality—one of confidence, physicality, and an unshakable belief that they belong at the top. If they can rekindle that edge, Herbstreit sees no reason why Clemson can’t be a force to reckon with again.
Kirk Herbstreit’s analysis presents a compelling case for Clemson’s return to the top in 2025. With leadership under Dabo Swinney, a talented
quarterback in Cade Klubnik, a revitalized offensive line, elite defensive talent, and a continued focus on recruiting, the pieces are in place for the Tigers to compete for national titles again. While the road to the playoffs won’t be easy, especially with the competitive landscape of college football, Herbstreit believes that Clemson has everything it needs to make a successful comeback and reassert itself as one of the sport’s elite programs. For Clemson fans, the path to 2025 is one filled with hope, potential, and the belief that the Tigers can once again return to the party.
