Clemson Football: The 10 Greatest Tigers of the Danny Ford era

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 28: Retired coach Danny Ford of the Clemson Tigers takes the field during pre-game ceremonies before play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship Game December 5, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 28: Retired coach Danny Ford of the Clemson Tigers takes the field during pre-game ceremonies before play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship Game December 5, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
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Donnell Woolford (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Donnell Woolford (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

The Clemson football program was roaring like it never had before under Danny Ford’s leadership. Here are 10 of the greatest Tigers to play in the Ford era.

The Clemson football program won its first National Championship under Danny Ford during the 1981 season.

Though the Ford era certainly saw its downfalls- with the biggest being the NCAA recruiting violations and then Ford’s resignation at the end of the 1980s- it is still recognized as one of the greatest periods of time during the Clemson football program’s history.

As part of the unprecedented success, we saw many talented and historical Clemson football players come through the program.

Here’s a look at the 10 greatest Tigers of all-time to play under Danny Ford.

Greatest Clemson football players of Danny Ford era: 10. Donnell Woolford

Donnell Woolford was one of the most dominant defensive backs in the history of the program.

Woolford, who played for Clemson from 1985-88, was a two-time All-American who earned consensus All-American honors in 1988.

Woolford recorded 10 interceptions in his career and was also a talented returner. In each of his three seasons with the Tigers, Clemson won the ACC Championshi.

He was drafted in the first-round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and ended up playing 10 seasons in the league, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1993.

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