Six weeks, going on seven, and what do we know about these Clemson Tigers? Dabo Swinney's 2026 group entered its Week 6 bye with a 3-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark in ACC play. To put it bluntly, the 3-2 record perfectly encapsulates what this team has been so far. Clemson has shown it can beat the teams it is better than, but when the Tigers must play up versus quality competition, they cannot.
With an incredibly navigable schedule the rest of the way, perhaps it will be Clemson who crashes the ACC Championship Game party reserved for Miami and one other team? If the Tigers were to go 10-2 (7-1) with a head-to-head victory over defending ACC champion Duke on the road in Durham, it may be enough to get to Charlotte. For that to happen, other key players will have to rise to the occasion.
Here are three who have exceeded expectations, as well as three others who need to figure it out.
Jeremiah Alexander has made it a two-man wrecking crew at linebacker
It took a minute, but we eventually got there. While this may be Jeremiah Alexander's final season of eligibility, he has thrived playing next to Sammy Brown at starting linebacker. He is third on the team in combined tackles at 35, with 1.5 for a loss of yardage, half a sack, and a pass breakup. Alexander's game kicked up a notch once ACC play started, initially versus North Carolina, and definitely at Cal.
While it would be nice if the defensive line got its stuff together, Clemson fans should be pleased with how well the linebacking corps and the dynamic transfer safety tandem of Jerome Carter III and Corey Myrick have been cleaning up after them. To be frank, had Alexander not risen to the occasion this year, we could be looking at a sub-.500 team at Clemson at the halfway point. His play mattered.
Given that Clemson can conceivably win every game the rest of the way, look for Alexander to shine.
Brayden Jacobs needs to raise the collapsing ceiling of this offensive line
No Clemson unit has been more scrutinized this season than Matt Luke's woebegone offensive line. Although he does believe things are going to get better, none of that is going to be possible unless its most talented player lives up to his last name. Brayden Jacobs may be the son of New York Giants legend Brandon Jacobs, but he has put little on tape that leads us to believe he was worth the hype.
If there was any moment from the first half of the year that was emblematic of the front five's horrid play from the first five games, Jacobs' turnstile block attempt of LSU linebacker Whit Weeks would certainly be that. Jacobs was garnering first-round hype coming into this season. He was all about Chad Morris' scheme taking this bad offense to the next level. You have to take care of yourself first...
This is not a good offensive line at all, but Jacobs will have to elevate his play to keep this team afloat.
Gideon Davidson has been the lead back Clemson was dreaming about
The most positive thing we have seen out of the Clemson offense so far has been the great play of its new lead back Gideon Davidson. This may only be his second year with the program, but when he is on, Davidson has showcased a unique ability to put the entirety of the offense on his back. On the year, he has 66 carries for 371 yards and four touchdowns, often saving his best for winning time.
In Clemson's three wins so far this season, he has had at least 14 carries for 62 yards, averaging a touchdown per game on the ground. However, whenever Clemson is up against it taking on elite competition, the production is not the same. He is averaging only seven carries for 22.5 yards and half a touchdown in Clemson's losses. Clearly, he is the driving force for everything on offense now.
The sooner Morris can get the ball into Davidson's hands, the better off the entire offense will be.
Chris Johnson Jr. needs to provide more as the change-of-pace back
Although Chris Johnson Jr. has made positive contributions on special teams in the kickoff return game, he has not become the necessary change-of-pace back Clemson has needed in the ground game. He has 22 carries for 101 yards on the season. He has yet to hit pay dirt on any of his 24 touches so far on offense. Johnson even got pulled from the game on offense versus North Carolina.
With David Eziomume out for the season, and Jarvis Green being unreliable at best, it may end up being Johnson as the guy to spell Davidson when the game requires it. Yes, pivoting to Reynolds at quarterback has taken away some of the carries on offense, but he is only averarging a dismal 1.1 yards per carry on 55 attempts. Clemson's rushing attack cannot be solely dependent on Davidson.
Johnson is running out of time to make a splash on what is now the third ACC team he has played for.
Elliot Washington II's ball-hawking ways have transformed the secondary
Without question, the most improved unit for Clemson this year so far has been the tremendous play of its defensive backfield. It was a unit a year ago that perhaps best encapsulated why the Tigers only went 7-6. With the additions of Carter, Myrick, and Elliot Washington II by way of the transfer portal, everything has changed. Washington's outstanding ball skills have been on display throughout so far.
Elliot leads the team with three interceptions for seven yards. He only trails fellow defensive back Ashton Hampton with four pass breakups. He has also forced a fumble to go along with his 19 combined tackles. Clearly, defensive coordinator Tom Allen saw something great in Washington during their one year together at Penn State. By bringing him to Clemson, he has gotten even better.
Since nobody wants to throw in Hampton's direction, Washington is now the one to make them pay.
Christian Bentancur needs to emerge as Tait Reynolds' safety valve
Despite being on the receiving end of Reynolds' lone touchdown pass so far this season, tight end Christian Bentancur has gone awfully quiet in the two games since. In five games so far, Bentancur only has six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. He is behind Olsen Patt-Henry in tight end in both regards. Clemson's passing attack may be wide-receiver centric, but Bentancur needs to play better.
While Bryant Wesco Jr., TJ Moore, and Tyler Brown all have over 100 receiving yards, this Clemson passing attack is only going to take flight if Reynolds can do more than dump the occasional pass off to his tight ends. Although tight ends are often seen as a young starting quarterback's safety valve, Reynolds has found more trust in his trio of excellent wide receivers than he has with this tight end.
Clemson has to find ways to be more efficient in the red zone, and that starts with Bentancur here.
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