Any lingering doubt about the level of elite talent returning to Death Valley was put to rest Thursday, as CBS Sports loaded its Preseason All-America teams with Clemson Tigers, tying the program for the most selections in the nation.
Four Tigers earned the prestigious honor, a total matched only by fellow national contenders Penn State and Ohio State, cementing Clemson's status as one of the most talent-rich rosters heading into the 2025 season.
The Elite First-Team Duo
Leading the charge are two first-team selections at marquee positions: quarterback Cade Klubnik and defensive tackle Peter Woods.
CBS lauded Klubnik for his poise, highlighting a key metric that separates him from his peers. "There was no quarterback in the country last year better at handling pressure," wrote Chris Hummer. "Klubnik led the FBS with an 80.9 PFF grade in those situations."
Woods, the dominant sophomore interior lineman, was praised as a true game-wrecker. "Nothing ruins an offense's day like interior pressure," said Tom Fornelli. "And that's what Woods does for Clemson... There isn't a guard in the country excited to look up and see this man lined up across from him."
Joining them on the second team are two more cornerstones of the Tiger defense: defensive end T.J. Parker and cornerback Avieon Terrell, reinforcing the depth of NFL-caliber talent on that side of the ball.
A Marquee QB Matchup Awaits
The All-America list also sets the stage for one of the most anticipated matchups of the opening weekend. The selections pit the first-team quarterback, Klubnik, against the second-team quarterback, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, when the two top-10 teams clash in Death Valley on August 30.
The individual accolades only add another layer of hype to a season loaded with national championship expectations for Clemson. For a team this talented, the goal isn't just to win awards, but to prove they are the best team in the nation.