2020 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2020 Clemson Tigers football team will represent the Clemson University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers will be led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 12th full year. The Tigers will play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
2020 Clemson Tigers football | |
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Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 1 |
2020 record | 0–0 (0–0 ACC) |
Head coach | Dabo Swinney (12th full, 13th overall season) |
Offensive coordinator | Tony L. Elliott (6th season) |
Defensive coordinator | Brent Venables (9th season) |
Home stadium | Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 81,500) |
Uniform | |
2020 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boston College | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clemson | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duke | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida State | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NC State | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notre Dame | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pittsburgh | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Syracuse | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia Tech | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wake Forest | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: December 12 or 19, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
The Tigers finished the 2019 season 14–1, and 8–0 in ACC play. They won the ACC for the fifth consecutive season by beating Virginia in the ACC Championship game, 62–17. The Tigers were selected to the College Football Playoff as the third seed. In the semifinals, the Tigers defeated Ohio State 29–23. They advanced to the CFP National Championship game, where they were defeated by LSU 42–25.
Offseason
Recruiting
Clemson's 2020 recruiting class consisted of 23 signees.[1] The class was ranked as the best class in the ACC and the third best class overall according to the 247Sports Composite.[2]
US college sports recruiting information for 2020 recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Ajou Ajou WR |
Clearwater, FL | Clearwater Academy International | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 27, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Sergio Allen ILB |
Fort Valley, GA | Peach County | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | Jul 26, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
DeMarkus Bowman RB |
Lakeland, FL | Lakeland | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | May 3, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Brian Bresee DT |
Damascus, MD | Damascus | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Demonte Capehart DT |
Bradenton, FL | IMG Academy | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Jun 5, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Fred Davis CB |
Jacksonville, FL | Trinity Christian | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Apr 8, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Sage Ennis TE |
Tallahassee, FL | Lincoln | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jun 17, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Malcolm Greene S |
Highland Springs, VA | Highland Springs | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Trent Howard OG |
Birmingham, AL | Briarwood Christian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Dec 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Mitchell Mayes OG |
Raleigh, NC | Leesville Road | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | Mar 11, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
R.J Mickens CB |
Southlake, TX | Carroll | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Apr 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Myles Murphy DE |
Powder Springs, GA | Hillgrove | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 271 lb (123 kg) | May 17, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Walker Parks OT |
Lexington, KY | Frederick Douglass | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Oct 21, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Kobe Pryor RB |
Cedartown, GA | Cedartown | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 18, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Trenton Simpson OLB |
Charlotte, NC | Mallard Creek | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Dec 14, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Kevin Swint DE |
Carrollton, GA | Carrollton | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Paul Tchio OG |
Alpharetta, GA | Milton | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 334 lb (151 kg) | Nov 25, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Bryn Tucker OG |
Knoxville, TN | Knoxville Catholic | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 292 lb (132 kg) | Mar 14, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
DJ Uiagalelei QB |
Bellflower, CA | St. John Bosco | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | May 5, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Tyler Venables S |
Central, SC | D. W. Daniel | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 2, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
EJ Williams WR |
Phenix City, AL | Central | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Aug 24, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
John Williams OT |
Canton, GA | Creekview | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Sep 1, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Tre Williams DT |
Washington, D.C. | St. John's College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 308 lb (140 kg) | Jan 26, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 2 247Sports: 3 ESPN: 1 | ||||||
Sources:
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Offseason departures
NFL draftees
Player | Round | Pick | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
Isaiah Simmons | 1 | 8 | Arizona Cardinals | LB |
A.J. Terrell | 1 | 16 | Atlanta Falcons | CB |
Tee Higgins | 2 | 33 | Cincinnati Bengals | WR |
Tanner Muse | 3 | 100 | Las Vegas Raiders | ILB |
John Simpson | 4 | 109 | Las Vegas Raiders | G |
K'Von Wallace | 4 | 127 | Philadelphia Eagles | S |
Tremayne Anchrum | 7 | 250 | Los Angeles Rams | G |
Undrafted Free Agents
Player | Team | Position | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Sean Pollard | Baltimore Ravens | OL | [3] |
Transfers
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Brice | 7 | QB | 6'2" | 207 | Loganville, GA | Duke | [4] [5] | |
TJ Chase | 18 | WR | 6'1" | 185 | Plant City, FL | FAU | [6] [7] | |
Xavier Kelly | 22 | DE | 6'4" | 265 | Wichita, KS | Arkansas | [8] [9] | |
Johnathan Boyd | 46 | LB | 6'2" | 217 | Lilburn, GA | TBD | [10] |
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy[11] | Justin Foster | DE | SR |
Doak Walker Award[12] | Travis Etienne | RB | SR |
Davey O'Brien Award[13] | Trevor Lawrence | QB | JR |
Butkus Award[14] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Jim Thorpe Award[15] | Derion Kendrick | CB | JR |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[16] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
Outland Trophy[17] | Jackson Carman | OL | JR |
Tyler Davis | DT | SO | |
Paul Hornung Award[18] | Amari Rodgers | WR | SR |
Wuerffel Trophy[19] | Darrien Rencher | RB | SR |
Maxwell Award[20] | Trevor Lawerence | QB | JR |
Travis Etienne | RB | SR | |
Manning Award[21] | Trevor Lawerence | QB | JR |
Schedule
Clemson had games scheduled against Akron, South Carolina, The Citadel, which were all cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22][23] This will be the first season since 1908 that the Tigers do not play South Carolina.
The ACC released their schedule format on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date.[22] Specific game dates were released on August 6, 2020.[24]
Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
---|---|---|---|
September 12 | at Wake Forest | ||
September 19 | TBA* |
| |
October 3 | Virginia |
| |
October 10 | Miami (FL) |
| |
October 17 | at Georgia Tech | ||
October 24 | Syracuse |
| |
October 31 | Boston College |
| |
November 7 | at Notre Dame | ||
November 21 | at Florida State | ||
November 28 | Pittsburgh |
| |
December 5 | at Virginia Tech | ||
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Personnel
Coaching Staff
Name | Position | Alma Mater | Years at Clemson |
---|---|---|---|
Dabo Swinney | Head Coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 13th |
Brent Venables | Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach | Kansas State University (1992) | 8th |
Danny Pearman | Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends | Clemson University (1987) | 11th |
Tony Elliott | Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach | Clemson University (2002) | 5th |
Brandon Streeter | Assistant Coach, Passing Game Coordinator, Quarterbacks | Clemson University (1999) | 6th |
Todd Bates | Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Defensive Tackles | University of Alabama (2004) | 3rd |
Robbie Caldwell | Assistant Coach, Offensive Linemen | Furman University (1977) | 9th |
Mickey Conn | Assistant Coach, Safeties | University of Alabama (1992) | 4th |
Tyler Grisham | Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers | Clemson University (2009) | 1st |
Lemanski Hall | Assistant Coach, Defensive Ends | University of Alabama (1993) | 3rd |
Mike Reed | Assistant Coach, Cornerbacks | Boston College (1994) | 7th |
Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | 1 (38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | Not released |
References
- "Clemson 2020 Football Commits". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "2020 Football Team Rankings [Composite]". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Lentz, Zach (April 25, 2020). "Sean Pollard Signs with Baltimore Ravens". si.com. Sports Illsutrated. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- Hummer, Chris (January 16, 2020). "Clemson QB Chase Brice enters the transfer portal". 247sports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Taylor, John (February 3, 2020). "Duke confirms signing of Clemson transfer QB Chase Brice". nbcsports.com. NBC. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Hladik, Matt (January 20, 2020). "Clemson WR T.J. Chase Has Entered The NCAA Transfer Portal". thespun.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- James, Jordan (February 3, 2020). "Clemson WR T.J. Chase makes final transfer decision". 247sports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Connolly, Matt (January 18, 2020). "Clemson defensive lineman announces plans to transfer". thestate.com. The State. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Sallee, Barrett (February 18, 2020). "Ex-Clemson four-star defensive lineman Xavier Kelly announces Arkansas as transfer destination". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Taylor, John (January 1, 2020). "Transfer portal adds Clemson football player John Boyd". nbcsports.com. NBC. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "2020 LOTT IMPACT TROPHY WATCH LIST CANDIDATES". lottimpacttrophy.org. Lott IMPACT Trophy. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- "Travis Etienne named to national award watch list". tigernet.com. TigerNet. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- "Trevor Lawrence named to national award watch list". tigernet.com. TigerNet. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- "Skalski Named to Butkus Watch List". clemsontigers.com. Clemson University Athletics. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- "Kendrick Named to Thorpe Award Watch List". clemsontigers.com. Clemson University Athletics. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- "2020 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". sportswriters.net. Football Writers Association of America. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- "2020 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". sportswriters.net. Football Writers Association of America. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- "50 Players Named to 2020 Paul Hornung Award Watch List". louisvillesports.org. National Association of Sports Commissions. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List". wuerffeltrophy.org. Wuerffel Trophy. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- "Two Tigers named to Maxwell Award watch list". tigernet.com. TigerNet. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- "Allstate Sugar Bowl Announces Manning Award Watch List". allstatesugarbowl.org. Allstate Sugar Bowl. July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- Talty, John. "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season". AL.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- "Updated 2020 Football Schedule Announced". clemsontigers.com. Clemson University Athletics. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- "Football Coaching Staff". clemsontigers.com. Clemson University Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2020.