Special teams and coaching
Preach physicality
Clemson's worst games of the season came against Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina, and Texas, all four losses. The consistent theme was a lack of physicality.
In the first half versus Georgia, the Tigers matched up well with the Bulldogs, especially on defense. The floodgates opened in the second half, with Georgia outscoring Clemson 28-3. Similarly, the two other SEC games showed a difference in physicality, especially on the line of scrimmage. Louisville was odd because Clemson out-talented the Cardinals on paper, but the Tigers looked outclassed in the first half.
It's clear that an attitude change must happen. In addition to the four losses, Clemson pulled off the gas too many times this season. It's been mentioned more than once in this article, but pulling back when ahead became all too common. Preaching physicality 24/7 in all situations should prepare the Tigers in 2025.
Make a field goals
This one is self-explanatory. Clemson tied for most blocked kicks allowed in 2024. Eight blocked kicks all season, including six field goals against Flordia State (2), Louisville (2), Virginia Tech, and the Citadel. Also, the Tigers had two PAT attempts blocked against Standford and the Citadel. If that weren't bad enough, Clemson allowed one of the blocked kicks to be returned for touchdowns versus Virginia Tech.
There have been a few causes, including low kicks, but the main problem was protection. It's another example where physicality was lacking on this year's team. They were manhandled all season and against the Citadel, no less.
If it takes putting starters in for the field goal unit then that's what it takes. Eight blocked kicks in a season is unacceptable, and this coaching staff knows that. You can expect that the issue will be addressed this offseason.
Utilize the transfer portal
Ah.. The transfer portal. It's long been an issue with Clemson. Since it began, head coach Dabo Swinney has been against it. He's gone as far as saying "transfer players weren't good enough" to play at Clemson, or at least they weren't in the past.
Amazingly, since the end of the regular season, Clemson has added two transfers. Edge rusher Will Heldt from Purdue and wideout Tristan Smith from Southeast Missouri State. They're the first scholarship players Swinney has ever added from the transfer portal.
Now that we know Clemson isn't completely allergic to the portal, it's time they start utilizing it. Here's the thing — it doesn't need to be dozens of transfers every season. Using the portal as a supplemental institution rather than one that rebuilds an entire team seems to be the winning formula. All four teams in the College Football Playoffs semi-finals only have a handful of players who transferred in the last two seasons and are top-3 in production in any offensive or defensive category.