If nothing else, Clemson is officially interesting again.
After a 7–6 season that felt nothing like Clemson football, Athlon Sports has listed the Tigers among its “most intriguing teams” heading into the 2026 season — a label that’s equal parts compliment and warning label.
And honestly? It fits.
From Title Hype to Reality Check
Last season was supposed to be a coronation. Clemson opened 2025 ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll with legitimate national title expectations. Instead, the year spiraled.
A 1–3 start. Then 3–5. Then a frantic scramble just to get bowl eligible for a 27th straight season. Clemson closed the regular season with four straight wins, only to fall 22–10 to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl — a finish that felt more like relief than redemption.
It was the second-worst season of Dabo Swinney’s 17 full years as head coach, and ESPN didn’t mince words afterward, labeling Clemson the No. 1 disappointment in college football for 2025.
Why Clemson Suddenly Feels… Different
Athlon’s intrigue isn’t rooted in nostalgia. It’s rooted in change — something Clemson hasn’t leaned into much during the Swinney era.
For the first time, Swinney hit the transfer portal with real intent following the disappointing season. Nine newcomers won’t turn heads nationally, but for Clemson, that’s a philosophical shift. It’s an acknowledgment that standing still isn’t an option anymore.
That shift came with consequences, most notably the fallout from linebacker Luke Ferrelli’s jump to Ole Miss, a saga that turned into one of the offseason’s biggest talking points and put Swinney front and center in the sport’s ongoing tampering debate.
The message is clear: Swinney knows the landscape has changed — and knows Clemson has to change with it.
A Roster in Transition — And a Coach Betting on Himself
The 2025 roster underachieved, but it was also experienced. Clemson could lose multiple first-round NFL picks, along with quarterback Cade Klubnik, forcing a reset at key positions.
The offensive reboot starts with a reunion. Chad Morris returns as offensive coordinator, tasked with reviving a unit that never found consistency last fall. New faces will be counted on heavily, and patience may be in short supply.
Still, Athlon points out something important: the ACC isn’t overflowing with championship-caliber teams. Outside of Miami, the door is open — if Clemson is ready to walk through it.
No Time to Hide
There won’t be a slow burn to find out.
Clemson opens the season on the road at LSU in Week 1 — against a Lane Kiffin-led Tigers team that’s also on Athlon’s intrigue list. If that weren’t enough, Clemson could realistically open the season unranked for the first time since 2011.
That’s how quickly things have shifted.
Virginia Tech, another intriguing ACC team, will visit Death Valley in October, ensuring the spotlight won’t fade anytime soon.
The Bottom Line
Being “intriguing” isn’t where Clemson is used to living. But it might be exactly where it needs to be.
This is a program at a crossroads — adjusting to a new era, a new offense, and a new reality where respect has to be re-earned, not assumed.
2026 will tell us whether Clemson’s recent stumble was just that — a stumble — or the start of something far more permanent.
Either way, nobody will be able to look away.