The college football world just got a major jolt—and it’s coming straight out of Tigertown.
ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy revealed on Thursday that Clemson is his No. 1 team in the country heading into the 2025 season. On his latest podcast, McElroy didn’t just praise the Tigers—he delivered a full-on endorsement of Dabo Swinney’s squad as national championship favorites.
“Here’s what I love: their passing attack and defensive line,” McElroy said. “Those are the things that take a team from good to elite.”
And at the heart of it all? Quarterback Cade Klubnik.
“I think Cade Klubnik is the best returning quarterback in America,” McElroy said. “He’s got tons of experience going into his senior year… the way he performed last year was amazing.”
After early-career growing pains, Klubnik turned heads in 2024 with dramatic development as both a passer and runner. McElroy pointed to Klubnik’s 450+ rushing yards and deepening chemistry with offensive coordinator Garrett Riley as signs of a potential Heisman-type season ahead.
But Klubnik isn’t alone.
McElroy raved about what he calls one of the deepest and most explosive wide receiver rooms in college football. Between veteran Antonio Williams, vertical threat Bryant Wesco, and physical mismatch T.J. Moore, Clemson’s wideouts are now, in McElroy’s words, “as good as we’ve seen in a really long time.”
Still, the biggest reason for McElroy’s bold No. 1 ranking?
The defensive line.
“It may be the best unit on their team—and maybe the country,” he said. “T.J. Parker was the most disruptive Power 4 defender last year, and Peter Woods moves back to his natural position at tackle. Add in Will Heldt from Purdue and freshman Amare Adams, and it’s a deep, dominant group.”
McElroy also praised the arrival of new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who he believes will bring added aggression to a defense already packed with stars.
If there’s a weak spot, it’s in the running back room. The departure of Phil Mafah leaves Clemson with plenty of options, but little proven production. Still, McElroy isn’t sounding any alarms—just pointing out a question mark.
“They’ve got plenty of guys,” he said. “They just haven’t had that featured workload yet.”