Three reasons Clemson doesn't make the college football playoffs

Lack of a proven WR1

The Tiger’s passing game in 2023 wasn’t great. Clemson ranked 121 in the country in yards per passing attempt with just six yards. The overall numbers weren’t bad, with 2,969 yards and 20 touchdowns, but those yards were mainly spread over seven pass catchers with at least 200 yards.

Luckily, they are bringing back three of their top five receivers: wide receiver Tyler Brown, Wide receiver Troy Stellato, and tight end Jake Briningstool. Brown had 52 receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns, while Briningstool caught 52 for 498 yards and five touchdowns. Stellato was the No. 4 receiver with 321 yards and a score.

However, the other two receivers have left the team. Will Shipley was drafted by the Eagles in the 2024 NFL draft. Beaux Collins transferred to Notre Dame and took his 510-yards-three-touchdown production from last season with him.

But even if they both stayed for the 2024 season, there would still be the problem of not having a proven WR1. There’s no one on this team (yet) who has stepped up and shown they can get open in sticky situations consistently. In other words, quarterback Cade Klubnik can’t say with confidence, “screw it, ‘blank’ is down there somewhere,” about any of the returning receivers.

There’s a chance that Klubnik has found chemistry with someone over the last few weeks, but we’re talking about practice, not the game. Unfortunately, it might take a couple of games for a true WR1 to rise above the rest. But if Clemson were to lose a game they can’t afford because of it, you can throw any hopes of a CFP appearance out the window.