What time is Clemson kickoff?

Clemson won’t be mentioned in the LBU levels with other programs, but there are some talented players who have manned the position as the best linebackers of the Tigers’ modern era.

Jeff Davis is the OG of Clemson linebackers and remains one of the most important players Clemson’s program has ever had. Ben Boulware helped lead Clemson to its 2016 national title and continues to have an impact on the program as a coach.

Keith Adams and Anthony Simmons were tackling machines. Isaiah Simmons was an unlimited talent. 
And the highlight of Clemson linebacker play came in the late 1980s with Levon Kirkland, Ed McDaniel, Wayne Simmons, John Johnson and Doug Brewster all on the same depth chart and built on the days of Johnny Rembert and Andy Headen. My goodness.

Sammy Brown will try to join that list during his sophomore season in 2025 after limited play as a freshman but a clear emergence of his talent late in 2024. Wade Woodaz is likely to start alongside him. Transfer (yes, a transfer) Jeremiah Alexander and veteran Dee Crayton in the mix for regular snaps as well. 

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson linebackers?

• Jeff Davis (1978-81) -– Career First Hits (295), Career Forced Fumbles Leader (10), Career Fumble Recoveries (8), three times had 20 or more tackles in a game, Tackles by a Senior in a Season Leader (175), Consecutive double-figure tackles in a game leader (19), third all-time tackles (469), captain of 1981 national championship team, college football hall of fame. 
• Ben Boulware (2013-16) –- 352 tackles, 26 tackles for loss (TFL), 8-1/2 sacks
• Keith Adams (1998-2000) -– 379 tackles, 23 sacks, 54 TFL, 2X All-American
• Anthony Simmons (1995-97) –- 2nd highest tackles in season, 178 in 1996, 486 career tackles 2nd all time, 52 TFL fifth all time, 50th anniversary team ACC, 18-1/2 sacks
• Isaiah Simmons (2017-19) – 253 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 28.5 TFL, 22 PBU
• Levon Kirkland (1988-91) -– 273 tackles, 19 sacks, 40 TFL, Butkus finalist
• Ed McDaniel (1988-91) -– Career Forced Fumbles Leader (10)
• Bubba Brown (1976-79) –- Still the Tigers' all-time leading tackler, with 515
  
• Wayne Simmons (1989-92) –- Electric playmaking talent whose interception at Florida State keyed a big win in 1989.
• John Johnson -- Underrated talent among deep corps of big-play stars.
• Doug Brewster -- Keyed the Tigers' attack during some seasons when his talent was needed.
• Johnny Rembert (1981-82) –- Went on to standout NFL career.
• Andy Headen -- Unsung hero of 1981 championship team who earned NFL respect.

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Jeff Bryant was a wrecking-ball on the 1981 national championship team with 19 tackles for loss and might have been overlooked on a defense filled with stars. He established the tone for the best Clemson defensive ends of the modern era.

Trevor Pryce played only one season with the program (and they say Clemson doesn’t take transfers!), but he made a big impact, which led to a pro career. 

And then the position really became a focus with the play of Gaines Adams, who turned things over to Da’Quan Bowers, who turned things over to Vic Beasley, who turned things over to Shaq Lawson.

The most recent championships showcased a dominant defensive line, which featured Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant. And in their wake, Myles Murphy was a first-round draft pick even without gaudy sack totals.

Statistics: Who are the best-ever Clemson defensive ends?

• Vic Beasley (2011-14) – First-team all-american, first-round draft pick, Career Sacks Leader (33), 52.5 tackles for loss (TFL)
• Clelin Ferrell (2016-18) – First-team all-american, first-round draft pick, 27 sacks
• Austin Bryant (2015-18) – First-team all-american, 153 tackles, 35 TFL, 20.0 sacks, 32 QB pressures
• Da’Quan Bowers (2008-10) – First-team all-american, 179 tackles, 47 QB pressures, six PBU, Record nine straight games involved in a sack, 19.5 sacks for career
• Gaines Adams (2003-06) – First-team all-american, first-round draft pick, 28 sacks, 168 tackles, 44.5 TFL
• Jeff Bryant (1978-81) – First-round draft pick, 19 TFL for 1981 title team
• Shaq Lawson (2013-15) – First-team all-american, first-round draft pick, 167 tackles, 46.5 TFL, 20 sacks, 29 QB pressures
• Trevor Pryce (1996) – First-round draft pick, 20 TFL, 7.5 sacks in lone season at Clemson
• Myles Murphy (2019-21) – First-round draft pick, 139 tackles, 37 TFL, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, 6 PBU

Who are your favorites? Tell us in the comments at YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!

Clemson has a long history of strong play by its best defensive tackles -– and there are many in those ranks -– from Archie Reese and Jim Stuckey to the Bruise Brothers (William Perry and William DeVane) to the terrific recent run of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence and Bryan Bresee. The middle of the Clemson defensive front during the modern era has been stout and talented, and they have carried that over to the next level too.

Michael Dean Perry might not be as famous as his older brother, but he had an outstanding career at Clemson and in the NFL – and outdid big bro’s numbers for their days as Tigers. Grady Jarrett might have been undersized and under-recruited, but was a star at Clemson and has been even more outstanding in the NFL. And don’t forget Chester McGlockton and Brentson Buckner. 

The anchor of the Clemson defense has long been those defensive tackles.

For his junior season in 2025, Peter Woods returns to the interior of the defensive line in hopes of someday joining that list of greats. For more about the 2025 Clemson defensive tackles room, including Demonte Capehart, Vic Burley and Amare Adams, be sure to watch the podcast above. 

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson defensive tackles?

• Rob Bodine (1989-91) -– First-team All-American, 48 TFL (led nation with 27 as a senior in 1991).
• Bryan Bresee (2020-22) –- First-round NFL draft pick, 15 TFL, 9 sacks.
• Grady Jarrett (2011-14) -– 207 tackles, 29.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 37 QB pressures, one PBU, two caused fumbles, four recovered fumbles, 1,642 snaps.Chester McGlockton (1988-91) -- First-round NFL draft pick, 20.5 sacks.
• Dexter Lawrence (2016-18) –- First-team All-American, first-round NFL draft pick, 162 tackles, 20 TFL, 11 sacks, 43 QB pressures.
• William Perry (1981-84) –-  First-round NFL draft pick, 25 sacks, 60 tackles for loss (TFL).
• Michael Dean Perry (1984-87) -– First-team All-American, career TFL leader (61), 28 sacks.
• Jim Stuckey (1976-79) –- First-round NFL draft pick, 18 sacks, 314 tackles.
• Carlos Watkins (2012, 14-16) -– 191 tackles, 26 TFL, 14 sacks, 1 INT, 7 PBU.
• Christian Wilkins (2015-18) –- First-team All-American, first-round NFL draft pick, career Snaps by DL leader (2,441), career PBU by DL leader (16), 250 tackles, 41 TFL, 16 sacks, 56 QB pressures.

Who are your favorites? Tell us in the comments at YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!

Clemson football's homecoming game in 2025 takes place Nov. 1 against Duke, the athletics department announced recently amid other designations for the Tigers' home games this season.

The Blue Devils finished 9-4 last season under Manny Diaz, going 5-3 in ACC play. Under previous coach Mike Elko, Duke upset Clemson in the 2023 season opener 28-7 -- the Tigers turned the ball over three times against a talented Blue Devils team that saw injuries (including one to starting quarterback Riley Leonard) undo its promise for the rest of the season.

Clemson single-game tickets and Flex Packs will be announced by June, with upper-deck tickets for some games as low as $30, the athletic department has said. Season-ticket and parking applications are available to IPTAY donors who completed half of their pledged donation by Feb. 15 and will make their full payment by June 1. Returning student season ticket requests were planned to become available this month.

A foursome of Power Four opponents who had nine or more wins last season will play at Clemson -- LSU, Syracuse, SMU and South Carolina -- a distinction only one other program can make. 

Other ACC home games for Clemson in 2025 and their designations:

• Sept. 20, Syracuse: Family Weekend.
  The Orange went 10-3 last season, 5-3 in the ACC. Clemson beat Syracuse 31-14 in 2023.
• Oct. 18, SMU: Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
  The Mustangs went 11-3 last season, 8-0 in the ACC regular season, and reached the College Football Playoff. Clemson beat SMU 34-31 in last year's ACC Championship Game.
• Nov. 8, Florida State: Hall of Fame Day, Extra Yard for Teachers.
  The Seminoles went 2-10 last season (maybe you've heard!), 1-7 in the ACC. Clemson beat FSU 29-13 last year.

Kickoff times have been announced for two non-conference home games for Clemson in 2025:

• Aug. 30, LSU (season opener, 7:30 p.m., ABC): IPTAY Day, Land Grant Day.
  LSU went 9-4 last season, 5-4 in the SEC. LSU beat Clemson 42-25 in the 2019 season's national championship game.
• Sept. 6, Troy (3:30 p.m., ACC Network): Football Reunion, P.A.W. Journey Day.
  The Trojans went 4-8 last season, 3-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. Clemson beat Troy 30-24 in 2016.
• Nov. 22, Furman: Military Appreciation, Senior Day.
  The Paladins went 3-8 last season, 2-5 in the Southern Conference. Clemson beat Furman 35-12 in 2022.

The designations are observed by the Clemson Athletic Department, the Alumni Association, Student Affairs, IPTAY and other campus groups.