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Clemson is coming off an 11-3 season which featured plenty of highs - an 8-0 record in conference play, a seventh ACC title in eight years - but some notable lows, too. The Tigers missed a second consecutive College Football Playoff after making six straight from 2015 to 2020 and were 0-3 against non-conference Power Five opponents in 2022.

Those losses to Notre Dame, South Carolina and Tennessee (in the Orange Bowl) underscored some lingering offensive issues and prompted Swinney to fire offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter after one season and replace him with former TCU OC Garrett Riley. Riley will be tasked with unlocking the full potential of sophomore quarterback Cade Klubnik, a former five-star recruit who replaced DJ Uiagalelei late in the season and - amid some growing pains - flashed undeniable star power against UNC in the ACC title game and Tennessee. - The State

(DS#6 QB) Sr/2026

QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
News Source: The State
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01/28/23 - Joseph Ngata, Sr/2023, Clemson, 6-3, 223 (DS#38 WR) + More +

Notes from NFLPA practice in Pasadena are split on wide receiver Joseph Ngata (Clemson). He is currently rated No. 261 overall, a seventh round/priority free agent, by NFL Draft Scout. He was previously rated as high as the third round but fell when injuries prevented him from living up to expectations. NFL.com highlighted Ngata among six of the most intriguing prospects from NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices, reporting "Ngata was a five-star recruit out of high school. There were high expectations for him at Clemson, but he struggled to reach them during an injury-plagued career."

That's partially true. Ngata, who was measured at 6-3 1/4, 220 pounds last week, was a four-star recruit we saw at Folsom High (California) who was beset by injuries at Clemson. His best season was 2022 with 526 yards in 14 starts, including a career-best eight catches in his final game. In Tuesday's practice, Ngata wowed scouts with a diving catch over the middle and on Wednesday showed off his athleticism on some downfield passes. However, although we estimate he can run 40 yards in the mid 4.4 second area, scouts at the workouts told us that he struggled to get separation and was battling for the ball against smaller defensive backs. It will be interesting to see the results of his vertical jump, agility drills and quickness at the combine. - Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout

(DS#38 WR) Sr/2023

WR Joseph Ngata, Clemson
News Source: Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout
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01/07/23 - Tyler Davis, rSr/2024, Clemson, 6-2, 301 (DS#16 DT) + More +

Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro are back. Davis and Orhorhoro, two of Clemson football's starting defensive tackles, are returning to the program for a fifth season, they confirmed on social media Friday. Davis was a first-team All ACC pick this season, and Orhorhoro was a third-team All ACC pick. They'd both previously accepted Senior Bowl invitations, walked on Senior Day and were projected as a Day 2 or 3 picks in April's NFL Draft. In returning to Clemson, Davis and Orhorhoro immediately position themselves as two of the top players on the Tigers' 2023 defense after excelling at defensive tackle alongside Bryan Bresee in recent seasons.

Davis was statistically dominant as a senior with 31 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He played in 12 games, started 11 and picked up second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers of America Association and Phil Steele. He also earned his second straight first-team All ACC honor. Splitting reps with Bresee and Davis, Orhorhoro had 23 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass deflections and a career-high four sacks in 2022. - The State

(DS#16 DT) rSr/2024

DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
News Source: The State
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01/07/23 - Justin Mascoll, rSr/2024, Clemson, 6-4, 255 (DS#53 DE) + More +

Stuck behind two All-ACC performers at his position for most of 2022, Clemson defensive Justin Mascoll knows he could have bolted for greener pastures. But when he sat down and thought hard about where to play his sixth and final season of college football, leaving the Tigers just didn't feel right. "It was heavy on my heart," Mascoll said. "But I prayed about it, and I felt like me coming back was more beneficial than me just entering the portal or whatever." That was among many reasons Mascoll decided to return to Clemson for 2023, something he revealed to coach Dabo Swinney and position coach Lemanski Hall in mid-December before announcing it publicly in the locker room to reporters after last Friday's Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee.

He was the first of four Clemson players to announce their intent to return over the past week. Safety Jalyn Phillips, cornerback Sheridan Jones and defensive end Xavier Thomas are all returning for their last year of eligibility in 2023, too. "I thought about it a lot," Mascoll said. "Really, it's just me coming back trying to maximize everything and just be a leader, be a captain and just help some of the young guys coming in." And did he ever really consider transferring? "No, not really," Mascoll said. "I just feel like the portal stuff is a distraction. I started here, and I want to finish here. That's it." Mascoll had 19 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 14 games this year while backing up first team All-ACC selection Myles Murphy (40 tackles, 11 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and second team All-ACC selection K.J. Henry (51 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks) at defensive end. - The State

(DS#53 DE) rSr/2024

DE Justin Mascoll, Clemson
News Source: The State
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01/06/23 - Jalyn Phillips, rSr/2024, Clemson, 6-1, 204 (DS#32 SS) + More +

A pair of Clemson defensive backs, Jalyn Phillips and Sheridan Jones, have announced they intend to "run it back" as fifth-year seniors in 2023. Phillips and Jones are the second and third seniors, respectively, to announce they are using their additional year of eligibility afforded to them by the pandemic-impacted 2020 season to return to Clemson. Defensive end Justin Mascoll is returning for a sixth year, while left tackle Jordan McFadden, tight end Davis Allen, and defensive end KJ Henry are all headed to the NFL Draft.

Junior defenders Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and Trenton Simpson are also jumping to the pro ranks. While neither defensive back was going to be projected as top draft picks, both could play valuable roles for the Tigers in 2023. Phillips started all 14 games at safety for Clemson in 2022, finishing second on the team with 82 tackles. At corner, the Tigers were less susceptible to big plays when Jones was available, but he missed three games to a stinger issue and the bowl with a hip flexor injury. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#32 SS) rSr/2024

SS Jalyn Phillips, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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01/04/23 - K.J. Henry, rSr/2023, Clemson, 6-4, 251 (DS#13 DE) + More +

After developing into an every-game starter and setting career highs in tackles and tackles for loss as a fifth-year senior, Henry still might come back for more. He said last week he was "leaning toward" returning to Clemson for a sixth and final season. "That decision time will be made at a later date," Henry said postgame. "Right now it's just about appreciating what we've done this year. Coach Swinney said it in the locker room: 11 great days and three bad ones, and we'd be fools to really just focus on the bad three."

Henry, a former five-star recruit long considered one of Clemson's team leaders, was a second team All-ACC selection in 2022 with 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 14 games (all starts). If he returns, he could break Clemson's all-time games record of 69 (he's at 58). Henry's also accepted a Senior Bowl invite. - The State

(DS#13 DE) rSr/2023

DE K.J. Henry, Clemson
News Source: The State
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01/04/23 - *Bryan Bresee, rSo/2023, Clemson, 6-6, 302 (DS#2 DT) + More +

Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee announced he will head to the pro ranks. Bresee, a junior, has been projected as a first-round pick in mock drafts despite 2021 and '22 seasons limited by injury, illness, and personal tragedy. "It has been a life-long dream of mine to play in the NFL," Bresee wrote in an Instagram post on Jan. 2. "After much thought and many prayers, I would like to announce that I am declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. Although I'm excited for this next chapter in my football journey, I will always be a Clemson Tiger."

Bresee was one of several juniors to declare for the draft on Jan. 2, including Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson and defensive end Myles Murphy, who were also five-star recruits in the 2020 class, announced prior to the Tigers' bowl game that they were heading pro. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Bresee was the No. 1 overall recruit in that class and was the ACC's defensive rookie of the year in 2020. He tore his ACL in the fourth game of Clemson's 2021 season. This campaign, Bresee was in and out of the lineup as he dealt with the death of his 15-year-old sister, a kidney issue, and then a case of strep throat. On the year, Bresee had 15 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 10 games. - Charleston Post Courier

(DS#2 DT) rSo/2023

DT *Bryan Bresee, Clemson
News Source: Charleston Post Courier
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01/04/23 - Jalyn Phillips, rSr/2024, Clemson, 6-1, 204 (DS#32 SS) + More +

Jalyn Phillips, a senior co-starter at free safety with Tyler Venables, told The State he's "definitely" thought about returning but hasn't made a decision yet. Phillips set career highs with 14 starts, 74 total tackles and four pass deflections in 2023. He said another year of film as a starter would be helpful but "my body might say otherwise." Phillips will also consider whether he feels mentally ready to go to the pros now or later. "Definitely going to talk to my parents and all the close people around me," he said. "Just go over pros and cons...I haven't made a decision yet, but it should be coming soon." - The State

(DS#32 SS) rSr/2024

SS Jalyn Phillips, Clemson
News Source: The State
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12/29/22 - *Bryan Bresee, rSo/2023, Clemson, 6-6, 302 (DS#2 DT) + More +

Bryan Bresee has a big decision to make. But he also has an Orange Bowl to play in. And despite being billed as a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Clemson's star junior defensive tackle said he's locked in on the latter task. "I've been focused on Tennessee and that's all it's been so far," Bresee told reporters Wednesday in a pre-Orange Bowl media session. "When the season comes to a close, I'll weigh my options and talk to my family and my coaches and teammates and figure it out." Bresee, a former No. 1 overall recruit who's earned All-ACC honors every year of his Clemson career, is widely regarded as a top 15 NFL Draft talent.

College football underclassmen such as Bresee have until Jan. 16 to notify the NFL they're entering the draft pool, per NFL.com. Two of Bresee's Clemson teammates, junior defensive end Myles Murphy and junior linebacker Trenton Simpson, have already declared for the draft. Bresee said his decision won't come until after the Orange Bowl, which pits No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) against No. 7 Clemson (11-2) in a matchup of one-time College Football Playoff contenders. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday from Hard Rock Stadium. - The State

(DS#2 DT) rSo/2023

DT *Bryan Bresee, Clemson
News Source: The State
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12/22/22 - *Bryan Bresee, rSo/2023, Clemson, 6-6, 302 (DS#2 DT) + More +

Without naming names, Swinney said Clemson will return a number of players in 2023 who could've opted to pursue professional careers. "We've got some portal guys - they're guys that are already here and they decided to stay," Swinney said, laughing. "So they're in the 'I'm staying portal." Two draft-eligible juniors on Clemson's roster, defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson, have announced they'll leave for the NFL. Neither will play in the Orange Bowl: Murphy is opting out, and Simpson has a short-term ankle injury. The most notable Clemson player yet to publicly make an NFL decision is junior defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Other prominent veterans who could leave Clemson for a pro career but still have remaining eligibility include offensive tackle Jordan McFadden, tight end Davis Allen and wide receiver Joseph Ngata. There are even more such players on defense: defensive ends K.J. Henry, Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll; defensive tackles Bresee, Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro; linebacker Keith Maguire; and defensive backs Sheridan Jones and Jalyn Phillips. - The State

(DS#2 DT) rSo/2023

DT *Bryan Bresee, Clemson
News Source: The State
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12/22/22 - Paul Tyson, rSr/2024, Clemson, 6-4, 215 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Clemson football added to its quarterback depth Wednesday by signing transfer Paul Tyson. Tyson, a former Alabama and Arizona State quarterback, was confirmed as joining the Tigers on Wednesday morning. Clemson also signed four-star high school prospect Christopher Vizzina during the December early signing period. Tyson, Clemson's first transfer acquisition of the 2023 recruiting cycle, is a former four-star 2019 recruit and the great grandson of legendary Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Clemson's pursuit of Tyson, who will have one remaining year of eligibility as a graduate transfer, was a logical development for a program short on quarterbacks. He's expected to compete in 2023 behind returning starter Cade Klubnik. The Tigers will also have QBs Vizzina, Hunter Helms and Trent Pearman on their roster. - The State

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2024

QB Paul Tyson, Clemson
News Source: The State
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12/14/22 - *Trenton Simpson, rJr/2023, Clemson, 6-2, 235 (DS#2 OLB) + More +

Clemson junior linebacker Trenton Simpson announced that he intends to declare for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. Simpson made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday afternoon. Simpson was already set to miss the Orange Bowl due to injury and will now focus on his professional career. In three seasons with the Tigers, Simpson tallied 165 total tackles, 23 for loss and 13 sacks. He was a 2022 semifinalist for the Butkus Award and was a third-team All-ACC selection. - WSPA TV7 News, Greenville

(DS#2 OLB) rJr/2023

OLB *Trenton Simpson, Clemson
News Source: WSPA TV7 News, Greenville
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12/03/22 - Cade Klubnik, Sr/2026, Clemson, 6-2, 210 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Backup quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and No. 10 Clemson reclaimed the Atlantic Coast Conference championship with a 39-10 victory over No. 24 North Carolina on Saturday night. Cornerback Nate Wiggins broke up two passes in the end zone, blocked a field goal and returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown to help the Tigers win their seventh ACC title in eight seasons. Clemson (11-2, No. 9 CFP) won six straight ACC championships from 2015 to 2020 before failing to reach the title game last season. But coach Dabo Swinney's Tigers rebounded in a big way, going 9-0 against ACC foes this season to reach the Orange Bowl. They have Klubnik to thank for that.

With Clemson down 7-0, Swinney benched two-year starter D.J. Uiagalelei after the Tigers failed to pick up a first down on their first two possessions, Swinney turned to Klubnik, a 5-star recruit from Austin, Texas. He responded by leading the Tigers to four straight scores and a 24-10 lead at halftime. Clemson stretched it to 39-10 heading into the fourth quarter. It wasn't the first time Swinney has turned to Klubnik. He benched Uiagalelei in the second half against Syracuse and Klubnik responded by leading the Tigers to a come-from-behind 27-21 victory. Swinney also turned to Klubnik against Notre Dame, although the results were the opposite with the freshman throwing a Pick 6 in a 35-14 loss. Klubnik provided an immediate spark for Clemson. He led the Tigers on a nine-play, 71-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard TD pass to Davis Allen. After Maye's fumble, Klubnik caught a 19-yard pass from Phil Mafah to set up Mafah's 4-yard touchdown run - Clemson's second TD in a span of 40 seconds. Klubnik then showed off his arm strength with a 68-yard pass to fellow freshman Cole Turner to set up his own 1-yard TD run for a 21-7 lead. - Clemson/AP College Football

(DS#6 QB) Sr/2026

QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
News Source: Clemson/AP College Football
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12/02/22 - Will Shipley, Jr/2024, Clemson, 5-11, 206 (DS#8 RB) + More +

2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM: RB/AP/ST - Will Shipley, Clemson, 164 votes,...Atlantic Division champion Clemson leads the 2022 All-ACC Football Teams announced on Nov 29. The Tigers filled a total of 12 spots on the first, second and third teams, with sophomore Will Shipley becoming the first-ever player to earn first-team honors at three positions with his selection at running back, all-purpose and specialist. - Clemson Football

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2024

RB Will Shipley, Clemson
News Source: Clemson Football
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11/29/22 - Jordan McFadden, rSr/2023, Clemson, 6-2, 303 (DS#13 OG) + More +

2022 JACOBS BLOCKING TROPHY WINNER: Clemson offensive tackle Jordan McFadden has been voted the winner of the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Monday. The Jacobs Blocking Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953 to the player selected most outstanding blocker in the ACC by a poll of the league's head coaches and defensive coordinators. The trophy is given in memory of William P. Jacobs, who served as president of Presbyterian College from 1935 to 1945.

McFadden, a 6-2, 305-pound first-year graduate student from Spartanburg, South Carolina, heads into Saturday night's Subway ACC Football Championship Game having played more than 2,800 career snaps in 54 college games. He has started every game this season while leading the Tigers to a 10-2 overall record and an unbeaten mark in ACC play. With McFadden paving the way, Clemson boasts one of three ACC 1,000-yard rushers (Will Shipley) and has amassed close to 5,000 yards in total offense. McFadden, who completed his undergraduate degree in sociology last spring, was voted the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice during the 2022 season. This marks the 10th time that a Clemson player has claimed the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and the first since Mitch Hyatt claimed the award in both 2017 and 2018. - ACC Football

(DS#13 OG) rSr/2023

OG Jordan McFadden, Clemson
News Source: ACC Football
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