Four Clemson Football players named to ESPN Top 100
By John Chancey
![Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022.Ncaa Fb Clemson At Georgia Tech Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022.Ncaa Fb Clemson At Georgia Tech](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/40e3e1e89876dd8afa87175a4df7c18250fa443ff83f86967ee0e61aa3d80c20.jpg)
ESPN has released their Top 100 players in college football for the 2023 season, and Clemson Football is represented by four players.
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was ranked 21st. ESPN says:
"“Trotter is all business, head coach Dabo Swinney said, and business was good in 2022. He led the Tigers with 89 tackles (50 solo) to go with 6.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, five PBUs, and four QB hurries. Pro Football Focus graded Trotter as the ACC’s top-graded linebacker and the second-best among all returning Power 5 LBs.”"
Running back Will Shipley checks in at 26th.
"“How big was Shipley’s impact last season? He made the 2022 All-ACC team three times — as a tailback, all-purpose player, and return man. Shipley ran for 1,182 yards, caught 38 balls for 242 more yards, and had 324 yards in kickoff returns, scoring 15 times total. With new OC Garrett Riley calling plays in 2023, he could be in for even bigger things.”"
Linebacker Barrett Carter registers at 34th.
"“Dabo Swinney calls Carter one of the most dynamic players he’s coached — a guy who’s dominant at linebacker but could easily play safety, corner, edge rusher, or even tailback, Swinney said. The numbers back up the claim. Carter finished 2022 with 73 tackles (10 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups and 25 QB pressures. No other FBS player has done all that in the same season in the past five years.”"
Clemson Football is well represented on ESPN’s Top 100 players
Tyler Davis is ranked 66th:
"“When Davis is healthy, he is the best interior defensive lineman in the ACC. His decision to return to Clemson for one more year gives the Tigers’ defensive front a huge advantage. The three-time All-ACC selection had 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback pressures a year ago, but he has not played a complete season since 2019. That has still not stopped him from dominating.”"
Each of these players has been named to multiple preseason watchlists.
- Trotter: Walter Camp, Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Butkus
- Shipley: Maxwell, Doak Walker, Wuerffel, and Paul Hornung
- Carter: Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Butkus
- Davis: Outland, Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski
dark. Next. Clemson Roundup: Today's games, ACC deadline and AP voting results