Clemson Tigers football explained

Teamname:	Clemson Tigers football
Currentseason:	2024 Clemson Tigers football team
Firstyear:	1896
Athleticdirector:	Graham Neff
Headcoach:	Dabo Swinney
Headcoachyear:	15th
Hcwins:	170
Hclosses:	40
Stadium:	Memorial Stadium
Stadcapacity:	82,000
Fieldname:	Frank Howard Field
Stadiumbuilt:	1942
Stadsurface:	Natural Grass
Location:	Clemson, South Carolina
Ncaadivision:	I FBS
Conference:	Atlantic Coast Conference
Pastaffiliations:	Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) (1896–1921) Southern Conference (SoCon) (1921–1952)
Atwins:	798
Atlosses:	472
Atties:	45
Bowlwins:	27
Bowllosses:	23
Playoffapps:	6 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Playoffs:	6–4
Natltitles:	3 (1981, 2016, 2018)
Unnatltitles:	0
Natlfinalist:	4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Conftitles:	27 (21 ACC, 4 SIAA, 2 SoCon)
Divtitles:	9
Rivalries:	Alabama (rivalry) Auburn (rivalry) Florida State (rivalry) Georgia (rivalry) Georgia Tech (rivalry) NC State (rivalry) South Carolina (rivalry)
Allamericans:	31
Fightsong:	Tiger Rag
Mascot:	The Tiger
Marchingband:	Clemson University Tiger Band
Pagfreelabel:	Outfitter
Pagfreevalue:	Nike
Websitename:	clemsontigers.com
Websiteurl:	https://clemsontigers.com/sports/football/

The Clemson Tigers are the American football team at Clemson University. The Tigers compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In recent years, the Tigers have been ranked among the most elite college football programs in the United States.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Formed in 1896, the program has an all-time record of 798–472–45, with a bowl record of 27-23. Clemson was a College Football Playoff finalist in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019, defeating Alabama in both 2016 and 2018 to secure the national title. Clemson has had six undefeated seasons (including the first-ever 15–0 team), boasted six consecutive playoff appearances from 2015 to 2021, and retains 27 conference championships, including 8 since 2011. Its alumni includes over 100 All-Americans, 17 Academic All-Americans and over 250 players in the National Football League.^{[4] [5]} Clemson has had eight members inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: players Banks McFadden, Terry Kinard, Jeff Davis, and C. J. Spiller along with coaches John Heisman, Jess Neely, Frank Howard, and Danny Ford.

Clemson is one of the founding members of the ACC and holds 21 ACC titles, the most of any member. Its 27 total conference titles, including six consecutive ACC titles from 2015 to 2020, are the most of any ACC school. Clemson's most recent ACC title came in 2022, against North Carolina. Clemson's streak of eleven consecutive 10-win seasons ranks second in active streaks behind the Alabama Crimson Tide.^{[6] [7]} Among its eight undefeated regular seasons, Clemson was crowned poll-era national champions and finished with its third perfect season with a win over Nebraska in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and was the National Championship Finalist Runner-up with a 14–1 record in 2015. The following season, Clemson won the National Title over No. 1 Alabama in college football's first National Championship rematch in 2016, and again in 2018. The Tigers have 46 bowl appearances, 20 of which are among the New Year's Six Bowls, including nine during the "Big Four" era. Clemson has 34 finishes in the final top 25 in the modern era and it finished in either the Associated Press final poll or the coaches' final poll a combined 59 times since 1939.

The Tigers play their home games in Memorial Stadium on the university's Clemson, South Carolina campus. The stadium's nickname, "Death Valley" was coined in 1948 by Presbyterian College head coach Lonnie McMillan after his teams were routinely defeated there. Memorial Stadium is among the largest stadiums in college football.

History

See main article: History of Clemson Tigers football.

See also: List of Clemson Tigers football seasons.

Walter Riggs, often regarded as the "father of Clemson football," brought the sport to Clemson from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University). The team's first game, played on Halloween 1896, resulted in a 2–1 record for the inaugural season. Riggs influenced the choice of the team mascot and colors. The Tigers’ early success included their first undefeated season in 1900 under coach John W. Heisman, who led the team to a 19–3–2 record. Heisman’s coaching set a precedent for excellence and innovation.

During the mid-20th century, the program experienced substantial growth under Frank Howard, who coached from 1940 to 1969. Howard's tenure saw Clemson win two Southern Conference championships and six ACC championships. Known for his colorful personality and imaginative storytelling, Howard integrated various offensive formations. His legacy includes the tradition of rubbing "Howard's Rock" before home games and the naming of the playing field at Memorial Stadium as "Frank Howard Field" in 1974.

The late 20th century and early 21st century saw the football program navigate through challenges and successes under multiple head coaches. Danny Ford led the Tigers to their first national championship in 1981, achieving an undefeated season. Ford's era was marked by NCAA sanctions due to recruiting violations, which impacted the program's reputation and success. Ken Hatfield, Ford’s successor, focused on cleaning up the program's image but faced criticism from fans, leading to his resignation. Subsequent coaches, including Tommy West, struggled to achieve consistent success until the hiring of Tommy Bowden in 1999, who maintained bowl eligibility every season, but failed to secure an ACC championship.The modern era is defined by the leadership of Dabo Swinney, who became head coach in 2008. Swinney revitalized the program, leading the Tigers to multiple ACC championships and two national titles in 2016 and 2018. His tenure has been characterized by significant achievements, including the establishment of Clemson as a perennial contender in the College Football Playoff. Swinney’s ability to recruit and develop talent, combined with strategic hires like offensive coordinator Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Brent Venables, has sustained Clemson’s success. Notably, under Swinney, Clemson became the first team since 1897 to finish a season 15–0. In 2022, Clemson defeated Syracuse 27–21, extending the Tigers' home winning streak to 38, a new ACC record.

Conference affiliations

• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1896–1921)
• Southern Conference (1921–1953)
• Atlantic Coast Conference (1953–present)

Championships

National championships

Clemson claims three national championships. In 1981 they finished as the only undefeated team with a 22–15 victory over the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and were named the national champions^[8] by all major four consensus selectors ^[9] (AP, Coaches, FWAA, and NFF). In 2016 and 2018 they won the College Football Playoff, defeating Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game both times.

		AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF^†	12–0		No. 1	No. 1
		AP, Coaches, CFP, NFF^††	14–1		No. 1	No. 1
		AP, Coaches, CFP, NFF^†††	15–0		No. 1	No. 1

† Other selectors for 1981 included Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, FACT, FB News, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, Matthews, National Championship Foundation, New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, and Sporting News^[10]
†† Other selectors for 2016 include A&H, BR, CCR, CFRA, DuS, MCFR, SR, W
††† Other selectors for 2018 include A&H, BR, CCR, CFRA, CM, DuS, MCFR, SR, W

Conference championships

Clemson won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1900 and 1902 (tied 1903 and 1906) along with the Southern Conference title in 1940 and 1948.^[11] Their 21 ACC titles (19 outright, 2 tied) are the most ACC football championships. In 1965, South Carolina violated participation rules relating to two ineligible players and was required to forfeit wins against North Carolina State and Clemson.^[12] North Carolina State and Clemson were then declared co-champions.^[13]

			6–0	4–0
			6–1	6–0
1903†			4–1–1	2–0–1
1906†			4–0–3	4–0
		Southern Conference	6–2–1	4–0
			11–0	5–0
			7–2–2	4–0–1
			8–3	5–1
			9–2	6–1
1965†			5–5	5–2
			6–4	6–1
			6–4	6–0
			11–1	6–0
			12–0	6–0
			9–1–1	6–0
			8–2–2	5–1–1
			10–2	6–1
			10–2	6–1
			9–2–1	6–0–1
			10–4	6–2
			14–1	8–0
			14–1	8–0
			12–2	7–1
			15–0	8–0
			14–1	8–0
			10–2	8–1
			11–3	8–0

† Co-champions

Division championships

In 2005, the Atlantic Coast Conference divided into two divisions of six teams each and began holding an ACC Championship Game at the conclusion of the regular football season to determine the conference champion. Clemson won its first outright ACC Atlantic Division championship in 2009. In 2012 and 2016, Clemson was co-champion of the Atlantic Division. On August 18, 2011, Georgia Tech vacated their 2009 ACC Championship Game victory over Clemson due to NCAA violations. The game is considered by the NCAA and ACC to have no winner.^[14]

		ACC Atlantic		L 34–39 (vacated)
				W 38–10
				W 45–37
				W 42–35
				W 38–3
				W 42–10
				W 62–17
				W 39–10

Playoffs

Clemson was selected as the one seed in the second College Football Playoff and defeated the fourth seed Oklahoma on December 31, 2015, in the 2015 Orange Bowl. They lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship game on January 11, 2016. Clemson was selected to the third College Football Playoff as the second seed and defeated the third seed Ohio State on December 31, 2016, in the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship games in both 2017 and 2019. Clemson has a 6–4 record in playoff games through the 2019 season.

	1			W 37–17	notes
				L 40–45	notes
	2			W 31–0	notes
				W 35–31	notes
		1			L 6–24	notes
	2			W 30–3
				W 44–16	notes
	3			W 29–23	notes
				L 25–42	notes
		2			L 28–49	notes

National polls

Clemson has ended their football season ranked 32 times in either the AP or Coaches Poll.^[15] Clemson currently has 11 consecutive 10-win seasons from 2011 to 2021. It is the 2nd longest active streak behind Alabama with 12.^[15]

1939	9–1–0	12	–	–
1948	11–0–0	11	–	–
1950	9–0–1	10	12	–
1951	7–3–0	20	–	–
1956	7–2–2	19	–	–
1957	7–3–0	–	18	–
1958	8–3–0	12	13	–
1959	9–2–0	11	11	–
1977	8–3–1	19	–	–
1978	11–1–0	6	7	–
1981	12–0–0	1	1	–
1982	9–1–1	8	–	–
1983	9–1–1	11	–	–
1986	8–2–2	17	19	–
1987	10–2–0	12	10	–
1988	10–2–0	9	8	–
1989	10–2–0	12	11	–
1990	10–2–0	9	9	–
1991	9–2–1	18	17	–
1993	9–3–0	23	22	–
2000	9–3	16	14	–
2003	9–4	22	22	–
2005	8–4	21	21	23
2007	9–4	21	22	16
2009	9–5	24	–	–
2011	10–4	22	22	14
2012	11–2	11	9	13
2013	11–2	8	7	11
2014	10–3	15	15	–
2015	14–1	2	2
2016	14–1	1	1
2017	12–2	4	4
2018	15–0	1	1
2019	14–1	2	2
2020	10–2	3	3
2021	10–3	14	16

† AP Poll began selecting the nation's Top 20 teams in 1936. Only the Top 10 teams were recognized from 1962 to 1967. The AP Poll expanded back to the Top 20 teams in 1968. In 1989, it began recognizing the Top 25 teams. ‡ UPI/Coaches Poll began selecting its Top 20 teams on a weekly basis in 1950 before expanding to the nation's Top 25 teams in 1990.

Bowl games

See main article: List of Clemson Tigers bowl games. Clemson holds a 27–23 record in bowl games through the 2022 season.^[16] This is a list of Clemson's 16 most recent bowl games over the last 10 years.

2010			December 31, 2010		L 26–31
2011	Dabo Swinney		January 4, 2012		L 33–70
2012	Dabo Swinney		December 31, 2012		W 25–24
2013	Dabo Swinney		January 3, 2014		W 40–35
2014	Dabo Swinney		December 29, 2014		W 40–6
2015	Dabo Swinney		December 31, 2015		W 37–17
2015	Dabo Swinney		January 11, 2016		L 40–45
2016	Dabo Swinney		December 31, 2016		W 31–0
2016	Dabo Swinney		January 9, 2017		W 35–31
2017	Dabo Swinney		January 1, 2018		L 6–24
	Dabo Swinney		December 29, 2018		W 30–3
2018	Dabo Swinney		January 7, 2019		W 44–16
	Dabo Swinney		December 28, 2019		W 29–23
2019	Dabo Swinney		January 13, 2020		L 25–42
2020	Dabo Swinney		January 1, 2021		L 28–49
2021	Dabo Swinney		December 29, 2021		W 20–13
2022	Dabo Swinney	Orange Bowl	December 30, 2022	Tennessee	L 14–31
2023	Dabo Swinney	Gator Bowl	December 29, 2023	Kentucky	W 38–35

Head coaches

See main article: List of Clemson Tigers head football coaches.

1896–1899		2	6–3
1897		1	2–2
1898		1	3–1
1900–1903		4	19–3–2
1904		1	3–3–1
1905		1	3–2–1
1906–1915		5	22–14–6
1907		1	4–4–0
1908		1	1–6–0
1910–1912		3	11–12–1
1916		1	3–6
1917–1920		4	21–12–3
1921–1922		2	6–10–2
1923–1926		4	10–22–1
1927–1930		4	29–11–1
1931–1939		9	43–35–7
1940–1969		30	165–118–12
1970–1972		3	12–21
1973–1976		4	17–25–2
1977–1978		2	18–4–1
1978–1989		12	96–29–4
1990–1993		4	32–13–1
1993–1998		6	31–28
1999–2008		10	72–45
2008–current		14	170–44

Coaching staff

Clemson Tigers
Name	Position	Consecutive season at Clemson in current position	Previous position
Garrett Riley		1st	TCU – Offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks (2021–2022)
		2nd	Clemson – Senior defensive assistant (2018–2021)
		2nd	Clemson – Safeties / special teams coordinator (2021)
		2nd	Clemson – Defensive backs (2013–2021)
		1st
		4th	Clemson – Offensive analyst (2016–2019)
		3rd	Clemson – Graduate intern (2020)
	Tight ends / passing game coordinator	2nd	Clemson – Senior offensive assistant (2016–2021)
		6th	Clemson – Senior defensive analyst (2017)
	Defensive tackles / run game coordinator	2nd	Auburn – Defensive line (2021)
Joey Batson	Director of football strength & conditioning	27th	Furman – Director of strength training (1996)
Reference:^[17]

Clemson traditions

• Howard's Rock In the early 1960s, the rock was given to then head coach Frank Howard by a friend, Samuel Columbus Jones (Clemson Class of 1919).^[18] It was presented to Howard by Jones, saying "Here's a rock from Death Valley, California, to Death Valley, South Carolina."^[19] Howard didn't think anything else about the rock and it was used as a door stop in his office for several years. In September 1966, while cleaning out his office, Howard noticed the rock and told IPTAY executive director Gene Willimon, "Take this rock and throw it over the fence or out in the ditch...do something with it, but get it out of my office."^[19] Willimon had the rock placed on a pedestal at the top of the east endzone hill that the team ran down to enter the field for games.^[20] On September 24, 1966, the first time Clemson players ran by the rock, they beat conference rival Virginia, 40–35.^[21] Howard, seizing on the motivational potential of "The Rock", told his players, "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off of my rock."^[20] The team started rubbing the Rock for the first game of 1967, which was a 23–6 waxing of ACC foe Wake Forest.^[22]

As a result, it is now a tradition for the Clemson Army ROTC to protect the Rock for the 24 hours prior to the Clemson-South Carolina game when held in Death Valley. ROTC cadets keep a steady drum cadence around the rock prior to the game, which can be heard across the campus. Part of the tradition comes after unknown parties vandalized the Rock prior to the 1992 South Carolina-Clemson game.^[23] On June 2, 2013, Howard's Rock was again vandalized when the case containing it was broken and a portion of the rock was removed by an apparent fan of the Tigers, who was eventually arrested following a police investigation.^[24]

• Gathering at the Paw One of the most criticized and misunderstood traditions in all of college football is Clemson's "Gathering At The Paw." After every home football game, fans are allowed to come onto the field to sing the alma mater, and gather around the center of the field. While many say it's "rushing" the field, in truth it's more of a gathering as there is a clock that tells fans when they can come onto the field. There is time given for players and coaches to get off of the field. It is done after every home game, win or lose.^[25]
• Running Down the Hill Probably the most highly publicized tradition of the Clemson Tigers football team is the entrance, which Brent Musburger referred to as "The Most Exciting 25 seconds in College Football." Running down "The Hill" originally started out of practicality. Before the west stands were built, the football team dressed across the street at Fike Field House and ran from there to the gate and down the hill onto the field. Now, after exiting the stadium on the west side, the players load into buses which, escorted by police officers, make their way around the stadium to the east side where The Hill is located. This scene is shown on the JumboTron inside the stadium. When the buses arrive at the east side the players get out and gather at the top of the hill and stand around Howard's Rock; once most of the players are out of the buses and ready to go a cannon sounds; the band begins to play Tiger Rag and the players make their way down the hill. The spelling out of C-L-E-M-S-O-N during this Tiger Rag is one of, if not the, loudest times it will be spelled out during the game.^{[26] [27]}
• Ring of Honor Created in 1994, the Ring of Honor is the highest award given to former coaches, players, and other individuals who made a direct impact on the football program.^[28]
• The Graveyard The Graveyard is a mock cemetery near the football practice fields that features tombstones commemorating Clemson's victories over ranked opponents on the road.^[29]
• First Friday Parade The Clemson football season kicks off each year with the annual First Friday Parade. The once a year event takes place on the Friday afternoon prior to the first home football game. Floats from various fraternities and sororities and other campus organizations are represented in the parade that rolls down main street in Clemson. The parade culminates at the Amphitheater in the middle of campus where the first Pep Rally of the year takes place. The Grand Marshal of the Parade is featured at the Pep Rally. Recent Grand Marshals have ranged from current PGA professional Dillard Pruitt, to College Football Hall of Fame legends Jess Neely and Frank Howard, to noted television announcers Brent Musburger and Ara Parseghian.
• Tailgating On October 15, 2012, Southern Living named Clemson the South's best tailgate.^[30]
• Military Appreciation Game This honors Clemson's history as a military school. The team wears purple uniforms (their secondary color) for the annual Military Appreciation Game.

Rivalries

Alabama

See main article: Alabama–Clemson football rivalry. The two southern schools have long, decorated histories in the sport of college football.^[31] They first met on the football field on November 29, 1900.^[32] Clemson won the inaugural matchup by a score of 35–0.^[33] The Crimson Tide and Tigers met again in 1904 and 1905, with Clemson winning both games.^[34] Beginning with the next meeting between the two squads in 1909, Alabama won the next thirteen matchups against Clemson.^[34] The Tide posted the biggest margin of victory in the rivalry in 1931, beating the Tigers by a margin of 74–7.^{[35] [36]} In the first seven games of Alabama's 13-game streak, Clemson only score seven total points and was shut out in six of the seven games.^[34] After a 56–0 shutout Alabama victory in 1975, the squads didn't meet again until 2008, when they squared off on opening weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.^[37] The Tide emerged victorious with a 34–10 victory.^[38]

The last four matchups between the squads have had national championship implications and have greatly re-intensified the rivalry. The teams squared off in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship in Glendale, Arizona, resulting in Alabama emerging with a thrilling 45–40 victory.^[39] The next year, the teams again found themselves doing battle in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa, Florida, with Clemson emerging with a last-second 35–31 victory and their first win over the Crimson Tide since 1905.^[40] Once again the teams met in the 2018 Sugar Bowl semifinal in New Orleans, Louisiana with a trip to the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game on the line.^[41] Alabama won by a score of 24–6 following two costly Clemson interceptions in the second half.^[42] Their most recent meeting was in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. This time, Clemson dismantled the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide in a 44–16 rout to win its third national title.

Alabama leads the series 14–5 through the 2023 season.^[43]

Auburn

See main article: Auburn–Clemson football rivalry.

These old rivals (which are often called sister schools) first played in 1899, but until 2010, had not faced each other in the regular season since 1971. Along with snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Tigers of the Plains, Clemson also snapped Auburn's 17-game winning streak coming off of the 2009–2011 seasons after a home-and-home series in the 2010–11 seasons. The Georgia Dome then hosted the Auburn–Clemson rivalry the following year in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Clemson defeated Auburn 26–19 riding on a 231-yard performance by Andre Ellington. This game was notable due to Sammy Watkins' absence, having been suspended the first two games due to a drug-related arrest in May 2012. Auburn leads the overall series 34–15–2 through the 2018 season.^[44]

Boston College

See main article: O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy. The O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy was created in 2008 by the Boston College Gridiron Club to honor the tradition at both schools and to honor the legacy of Charlie O'Rourke and Banks McFadden, who played during the leather helmet era. The club plans to make this an annual presentation. Clemson first met Boston College on the football field in the 1940 Cotton Bowl Classic, the first ever bowl game for the Tigers and Eagles. Over the next 43 years, the teams met a total of 14 times. In 2005, Boston College joined the ACC and the Atlantic Division. Since then, the game has been played on an annual basis with Clemson winning the last 11 meetings. As of 2022 the Tigers lead the series 21–9–2.^[45]

Florida State

See main article: Clemson–Florida State football rivalry. Between 1999 and 2007 the ACC Atlantic Division matchup between Clemson and Florida State was referred to as the "Bowden Bowl" to reflect the father-son head coach matchup between Bobby Bowden (Father, FSU) and Tommy Bowden (Son, Clemson). Their first meeting, in 1999, was the first time in Division I-A history that a father and a son met as opposing head coaches in a football game. Bobby Bowden won the first four matchups extending FSU's winning streak over Clemson to 11 dating back to 1992. Since 2003, Clemson is 11–6, including a 26–10 win in Clemson over then-No. 3 FSU. Also during this time the Tigers recorded a 27–20 win in Tallahassee in 2006 which broke a 17-year losing streak in Doak Campbell Stadium. 2007 was the last Bowden Bowl game as Tommy resigned as head coach in October 2008. No. 3 Clemson pulled off a thriller in Tallahassee in 2016, 37–34, over the No. 12-ranked Seminoles. In 2018, No. 2 Clemson defeated Florida State in Tallahassee 59–10, which tied the Seminoles' worst loss margin in history. This marked a 2nd time the Tigers have beaten the Seminoles by more than 17-points. Clemson did it again in 2019, beating FSU 45–14. FSU has defeated Clemson by more than 17-points nine times. The most lopsided contest occurred in 1993, with the FSU squad winning 57–0. As of 2022, Florida State leads the overall series 20–15.^[46] Before the dissolution of divisions in ACC Football as of 2023, the annual Clemson-Florida State game often decided which team would represent the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship. However, under the ACC's new scheduling system, Clemson and Florida State are designated as permanent rivals and will continue to compete for the title every year. Because of the new ACC scheduling system, there is a chance these rivals could face each other a second time in the ACC Championship.

Georgia

See main article: Clemson–Georgia football rivalry.

The Bulldogs and the Tigers have played each other 64 times beginning in 1897, with the 64th meeting played in 2014. Clemson's only regular-season losses of the 1978, 1982, and 1991 campaigns all came at the hands of Georgia "between the hedges", whereas Georgia's only regular-season setback during the three years of the Herschel Walker era came in Death Valley during Danny Ford's 1981 national championship run.

During the two programs' simultaneous glory days of the early 1980s, no rivalry in all of college football was more important at the national level.^[47] The Bulldogs and Tigers played each other every season from 1973 to 1987, with Scott Woerner's dramatic returns in 1980 and the nine turnovers forced by the Tigers in 1981 effectively settling the eventual national champion. No rivalry of that period was more competitive, as evidenced by the critical 11th-hour field goals kicked by Kevin Butler in 1984 and by David Treadwell more than once later in the decade. Despite blowouts in 1990 by the Tigers and in 1994 and 2003 by the Bulldogs, the series typically has remained very competitive with evenly matched games. Most recently, Georgia defeated Clemson 10–3 in the 2021 Duke's Mayo Classic with neither team scoring an offensive touchdown; Georgia went on to win the national title in 2021. The Bulldogs maintains a 43–18–4 lead in the series.^[48]

Georgia Tech

See main article: Clemson–Georgia Tech football rivalry.

Clemson's rivalry with Georgia Tech dates to 1898 with the first game being played in Augusta, Georgia.^[49] Notably, both programs share the privilege of having John Heisman as a former coach. It was played in Atlanta for 44 of the first 47 match-ups, until Georgia Tech joined the ACC. When the Yellowjackets joined the ACC in 1978, the series moved to a more traditional home-and-home setup beginning with the 1983 game. When the ACC expanded to 12 teams and split into two divisions in 2005, Clemson and Georgia Tech were placed in opposite divisions but were designated permanent cross-divisional rivals so that the series may continue uninterrupted. In the new system without divisions, they remain as such. The two schools are 127 miles apart and connected to each other by Interstate 85. This distance is slightly closer than that between Clemson and traditional rival South Carolina (137 miles). Georgia Tech leads the series 50–35–2 with Clemson winning the last 8 in a row.^[50]

NC State

See main article: Textile Bowl. The yearly conference and divisional match-up with NC State is known as the Textile Bowl for the schools' similar missions in research and development for the textile industry in the Carolinas. The first meeting of the two schools occurred in 1899. Clemson has won 18 out of 23 contests since 2000. It is a particularly bitter rivalry amongst fans and students of both schools, even though it is not as competitive as the vitriol would suggest. Clemson holds a 60–30–1 series advantage through the 2023 season. NC State has won 2 out of the last 3 games in the rivalry.^[51]

South Carolina

See main article: Clemson–South Carolina rivalry. The Clemson–South Carolina rivalry, which dates back to 1896, is the largest annual sporting event in terms of ticket sales in the state of South Carolina. From 1896 to 1959, the Clemson–South Carolina game was played on the fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina and was referred to as "Big Thursday." Beginning in 1960, an alternating-site format was implemented using both teams' home stadiums. The annual game has since been designated "The Palmetto Bowl."^[52] The last eight contests between the programs have been nationally televised (4 on ESPN, 4 on ESPN2). Clemson holds a commanding 73–43-4 lead in the series through the 2022 season.^[53] It is often considered one of the most heated rivalries in all of college football, on a similar level to the Auburn-Alabama and Ohio State-Michigan rivalries, respectively.^[54]

Individual award winners

See also: Clemson Tigers football statistical leaders.

College Football Hall of Fame inductees

In 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Indiana. Clemson has had 3 players and 4 former coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame.^[55]

John Heisman	1900–1903	Head coach	1954	^[56]
Banks McFadden	1937–1939	RB	1959	^[57]
Jess Neely	1931–1939	Head coach	1971	^[58]
Frank Howard	1940–1969	Head coach	1989	^[59]
Terry Kinard	1978–1982	S	2001	^[60]
Jeff Davis	1978–1981	LB	2007	^[61]
Danny Ford	1978–1989	Head coach	2017	^[62] ^[63]
C. J. Spiller	2006–2009	Running back	2021	^[64]

Retired numbers

Clemson Tigers retired numbers
style=; width=50px	No.	style=; width=150px	Player	style=; width=50px	Pos.	style=; width=100px	Tenure	style=; width=100px	Year retired	style=; width=50px	Ref.
4		1975–1978	QB	1979	^[65]
28		2006–2009	RB	2010	^[66]
66		1937–1939	HB	1987	^[67]

Notes

National award winners

• CBS/Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year

Terry Kinard (1982)

• Ted Hendricks Award

Da'Quan Bowers (2010)

Clelin Ferrell (2018)

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Da'Quan Bowers (2010)

• John Mackey Award

Dwayne Allen (2011)

• Freshman of the Year

Sammy Watkins (2011)

Trevor Lawrence (2018)

• Archie Griffin Award

Deshaun Watson (2015)

Trevor Lawrence (2018)

• Davey O'Brien Award

Deshaun Watson (2015, 2016)

• Manning Award

Deshaun Watson (2015, 2016)

• Chic Harley Award

Deshaun Watson (2016)

• Bobby Bowden Trophy

Deshaun Watson (2016)

Hunter Renfrow (2018)

• Johnny Unitas Award

Deshaun Watson (2016)

• Jack Lambert Award

Ben Boulware (2016)

• Bill Willis Trophy

Christian Wilkins (2017)

• William V. Campbell Trophy

Christian Wilkins (2018)

• Burlsworth Trophy

Hunter Renfrow (2018)

• Butkus Award

Isaiah Simmons (2019)

National coaching awards

• AFCA Coach of the Year

Danny Ford (1981)

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

Chad Morris (2013)

Dan Brooks (2016)

• AP Coach of the Year

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year

Dabo Swinney (2011)

• Frank Broyles Award

Brent Venables (2016)

Tony Elliott (2017)

• Grant Teaff Award

Dabo Swinney (2014)

• Home Depot Coach of the Year

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

Danny Ford (1981)

• Paul "Bear" Bryant Award

Dabo Swinney (2015, 2016, 2018)

• George Munger Award

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• Sporting News College Coach of the Year

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• Walter Camp Coach of the Year

Dabo Swinney (2015)

• Woody Hayes Trophy

Danny Ford (1981)

Dabo Swinney (2018)

Consensus All-Americans

See also: College Football All-America Team. The NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) to determine if a player is regarded as a Consensus or Unanimous All-American. To be selected a Consensus All-American, a player must be chosen to the first team on at least three of the five official selectors as recognized by the NCAA. If a player is named an All-American by all five organizations, he is recognized as a Unanimous All-America. Clemson players have been honored 28 times as Consensus All-Americans, and 6 times as Unanimous All-Americas.^{[68] [69]}

1967		51	G
1974		85	TE
1979		83	DL
1981		45	LB
1981–1982†		43	DB
1983		66	DL
1986		33	RB
1987		18	PK
1988		20	DB
1990	Stacy Long	67	OL
1991		59	OL
1991		44	LB
1993	Stacy Seegars	79	OL
1997	Anthony Simmons	41	LB
2000	Keith Adams	43	LB
2005	Tye Hill	8	DB
2006†		93	DL
2009†		28	KR/AP
2010†		93	DL
2011		83	TE
2013–2014		3	DL
2015		4	QB
2015		90	DL
2018		99	DL
2018		75	OL
2018†		42	DL
2019†		11	LB
2019		74	OL
2020		9	AP

† Unanimous All-American

Atlantic Coast Conference awards

• ACC Player of the Year

Buddy Gore (1967)

Steve Fuller (1977, 1978)

Jeff Davis (1981)

William Perry (1984)

Michael Dean Perry (1987)

C. J. Spiller (2009)

Tajh Boyd (2012)

Deshaun Watson (2015)

Travis Etienne (2018, 2019)

Trevor Lawrence (2020)

• ACC Coach of the Year

Frank Howard (1958, 1966)

Red Parker (1974)

Charley Pell (1977, 1978)

Danny Ford (1981)

Tommy Bowden (1999, 2003)

Dabo Swinney (2015, 2018)

• ACC Offensive Player of the Year

C. J. Spiller (2009)

Tajh Boyd (2012)

Deshaun Watson (2015)

Travis Etienne (2018, 2019)

Trevor Lawrence (2020)

• ACC Defensive Player of the Year

Keith Adams (1999)

Leroy Hill (2004)

Gaines Adams (2006)

Da'Quan Bowers (2010)

Vic Beasley (2014)

Ben Boulware (2016)

Clelin Ferrell (2018)

Isaiah Simmons (2019)

• ACC Rookie of the Year

Chuck McSwain (1979)

Terry Allen (1987)

Ronald Williams (1990)

Anthony Simmons (1995)

James Davis (2005)

Sammy Watkins (2011)

Trevor Lawrence (2018)

• ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year

Sammy Watkins (2011)

Trevor Lawrence (2018)

• ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

Dexter Lawrence (2016)

Bryan Bresee (2020)

Andrew Mukuba (2021)

• ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy

Doug Cline (1959)

Wayne Mass (1966)

Harry Olszewski (1967)

Joe Bostic (1977)

Lee Nanney (1981)

James Farr (1983)

John Phillips (1987)

Mitch Hyatt (2017, 2018)

Jordan McFadden (2022)

• ACC Brian Piccolo Award

Rex Varn (1978)

Jack Cain (1980)

Ray Williams (1986)

Warren Forney (1995)

Justyn Ross (2021)

• ACC Jim Tatum Award

Ed Glenn (1994)

Kyle Young (2001)

Christian Wilkins (2018)

Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary football team

On July 23, 2002, in celebration of the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary, a 120-member blue ribbon committee selected the Top 50 football players in ACC history. Clemson led all conference schools with the most players selected to the Golden Anniversary team.^[70] Each of Clemson's honorees are All-Americans and former NFL players. The nine selectees from Clemson are:

• Joe Bostic (1975–1978)
• Jerry Butler (1975–1978)
• Bennie Cunningham (1973–1975)
• Jeff Davis (1978–1981)
• Steve Fuller (1975–1978)
• Terry Kinard (1978–1982)
• Michael Dean Perry (1984–1987)
• William Perry (1981–1984)
• Anthony Simmons (1995–1997)

NFL players

Source ESPN

• Davis Allen - TE, Los Angeles Rams No. 87
• Tremayne Anchrum – OG, Seattle Seahawks No. 73
• Andrew Booth Jr. - CB, Minnesota Vikings No. 23
• Bryan Bresee - DT, New Orleans Saints No. 90
• Austin Bryant - DE, San Francisco 49ers No. 40
• Jackson Carman – OT, Cincinnati Bengals No. 79
• Tyler Davis - DT, Los Angeles Rams No. 90
• Travis Etienne – RB, Jacksonville Jaguars No. 1
• Clelin Ferrell – DE, Washington Commanders No. 99
• Mario Goodrich - S, Philadelphia Eagles No. 37
• KJ Henry - DE, Washington Commanders No. 55
• Tee Higgins – WR, Cincinnati Bengals No. 5
• DeAndre Hopkins – WR, Tennessee Titans No. 10
• Grady Jarrett – DT, Atlanta Falcons No. 97
• Dexter Lawrence – DT, New York Giants No. 97
• Trevor Lawrence – QB, Jacksonville Jaguars No. 16
• Ray-Ray McCloud – WR, Atlanta Falcons No. 34
• Jordan McFadden - OT, Los Angeles Chargers No. 71
• Trayvon Mullen – CB, Baltimore Ravens No. 30
• Myles Murphy - DE, Cincinnati Bengals No. 99
• Joseph Ngata - WR, Philadelphia Eagles No. 86
• Bradley Pinion – P, Atlanta Falcons No. 13
• Cornell Powell – WR, Kansas City Chiefs No. 14
• Will Putnam - C, Las Vegas Raiders No.
• D. J. Reader – DT, Detroit Lions No. 98
• Justyn Ross - WR, Kansas City Chiefs No. 8
• Tyler Shatley – OG, Jacksonville Jaguars No. 69
• Will Shipley - RB, Philadelphia Eagles No. 39
• Isaiah Simmons – LB, New York Giants No. 19
• John Simpson – OG, New York Jets No. 76
• Trenton Simpson - LB, Baltimore Ravens No. 23
• Baylon Spector - LB, Buffalo Bills No. 54
• A. J. Terrell – CB, Atlanta Falcons No. 24
• Xavier Thomas - DE, Arizona Cardinals No. 54
• Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - LB, Philadelphia Eagles No. 54
• K'Von Wallace – S, Seattle Seahawks No. 24
• Deshaun Watson – QB, Cleveland Browns No. 4
• Nate Wiggins - CB, Baltimore Ravens No. 2
• Christian Wilkins – DT, Las Vegas Raiders No. 94
• DeShawn Williams - DT, Buffalo Bills No. 93
• Mike Williams – WR, New York Jets No. 18

All-time record vs. current ACC teams

^{[15] [71]}

	21	9	2		Won 11		2022
	1	0	1		Lost 1		1992
	37	17	1		Lost 1		2023
	15	21	0		Lost 1		2023
	36	50	2		Won 9		2023
	8	0	0		Won 8		2022
	7	7	0		Lost 1		2023
	40	19	1		Won 6		2023
	60	30	1		Lost 1		2023
	5	3	0		Won 1		2023
	2	3	0		Lost 1		2021
	0	0	0		–	–	–
	1	0	0		Won 1		1986
	10	2	0		Won 6		2023
	40	8	1		Won 5		2020
	23	12	1		Won 6		2020
	71	17	1		Won 15		2023

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC temporarily added Notre Dame as a member for just the 2020 season. Wins and losses to Notre Dame in 2020 count toward standings and all-time records.

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 3, 2023.^[72]

vs Georgia (Aflac Kickoff Game)	vs LSU	at LSU	vs Wofford	vs Troy	vs Georgia	at Georgia
vs Appalachian State	vs Troy	vs Georgia Southern	at South Carolina		at South Carolina	vs South Carolina
vs The Citadel	vs Furman	vs Charleston Southern	vs Notre Dame	at Notre Dame
	at South Carolina	vs South Carolina		vs The Citadel

vs Notre Dame	at Georgia	vs Georgia	vs South Carolina	vs Oklahoma	at Oklahoma	at South Carolina
at South Carolina	vs South Carolina	at South Carolina	at Notre Dame	at South Carolina	vs South Carolina	vs Notre Dame

Clemson vs. in-state NCAA Division I teams

	1–0		Won 1	2009	2009
	43–10–4		Won 31	1896	2018
	33–3–4		Won 15	1916	2010
	73–43–4		Won 1	1896	2023
	5–0		Won 5	2008	2021
	33–5–1		Won 18	1909	2020
	13–3		Won 6	1896	2019

^[15]

Recruiting

Clemson Tigers Football from Rivals.com^[73] team recruitment rankings:

2021	7th	19
2020	2nd	23^[74]
2019	9th	28^[75]
2018	5th	17
2017	10th	14
2016	8th	22
2015	4th	26
2014	12th	22
2013	13th	23
2012	10th	21
2011	8th	29
2010	19th	23

Further reading

• Book: Bob Bradley . Sam Blackman . Chuck Kriese . 1999. Clemson: Where the Tigers Play – The History of Clemson University Athletics . Sports Publishing. 1-58261-369-9.

Notes and References

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3. News: Clemson Crushes Notre Dame to Reach Its 3rd National Title Game in 4 Seasons. Tracy. Marc. December 29, 2018. The New York Times. January 7, 2019. 0362-4331. January 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190106022643/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/29/sports/clemson-notre-dame-playoff.html. live.
4. Web site: 2015 Clemson Football Media Guide. Clemson University. October 28, 2015. 51. PDF. 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150726202545/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/28500/pdf/football/2015-16/2015ClemsonFootballGuide.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=28500. July 26, 2015. dead.
5. Web site: 2011 Clemson Media Guide & Supplement . Clemson Sports Information . July 22, 2011 . 182–188, 190–194 . 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102550/http://www.clemsontigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071911aab.html . May 3, 2012 .
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35. Web site: Interesting facts about Clemson and Alabama you should know before the big game . Charlestondaily.net . January 1, 2018 . January 10, 2019 . January 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190106034220/http://charlestondaily.net/interesting-facts-about-clemson-and-alabama-you-should-know-before-the-big-game-2018/ . live .
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61. Web site: Jeff Davis (2007) – Hall of Fame – National Football Foundation. National Football Foundation.
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71. Web site: 2021 Clemson Tigers Schedule. ESPN. December 25, 2020. December 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201220022803/https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/228. live.
72. Web site: Future Clemson Football Schedules. fbschedules.com. January 3, 2022.
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