Clemson sports news and analysis: Clemson Kickoff News & Reign Supreme Alway Podcast (12)

Khalil Barnes keys Clemson's safeties in 2025: Quick look

Posted by Staff Report on August 19, 2025 | 7:00 AM

The safeties position group has a lot of names and a lot of versatile options for position coach Mickey Conn to work with.

That starts, really, with Khalil Barnes, who likely will start at nickelback or free safety and has made a career out of making big plays for the Tigers. As a freshman in 2023, he became the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era with multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season.

Barnes has 101 tackles (5.5 for loss), 11 pass breakups, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, a sack and a fumble recovery (which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown) in 27 games, making 21 starts. That’s a LOT of production.

He’s joined at nickelback by juniors Shelton Lewis and Ronan Hanafin, a former wide receiver who also can play strong safety, along with redshirt freshman Noah Dixon.

The safety group has a lot of other moving parts, including graduate Tyler Venables and junior Kylon Griffin, who both have gotten a lot of snaps during their careers. Ricardo Jones made some contributions last year as a true freshman, while third-year sophomores Rob Billings and Kylen Webb add depth, along with redshirt freshman Joe Wilkinson.

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Cade Klubnik eyes Clemson championship: 2025 quarterbacks preview | Plus: Best-ever Tigers passers

Posted by Staff Report on August 18, 2025 | 8:56 PM

For the longest time, playing quarterback at Clemson was seen as more of a game-managing position or a run-first position. And that worked.

Steve Fuller had a great career. Homer Jordan was the MVP in the Orange Bowl win that resulted in a national title. Rodney Williams owned the record for most wins by a Clemson quarterback. Woody Dantzler was a dynamic talent who couldn’t be contained. Charlie Whitehurst beat South Carolina four times. And there were others.

But that all changed with the passing talents of Tajh Boyd, who remains the program’s completions and touchdowns leader. Boyd certainly changed the Clemson program the way only a few players have, and that led to a new kind of Clemson quarterback.

That continued with Deshaun Watson, who won a national title, and then on to Trevor Lawrence, who claimed the program’s third national title.

So, for 2025 the question becomes: Where does Cade Klubnik stand? More importantly, can he join those others with a national title? And can Christopher Vizzina follow Klubnik's lead and get ready to continue Clemson’s strong run of quarterbacks?

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson QBs?

Trevor Lawrence (2018-20) – 1AA, 1D, QB on Clemson’s third national championship team. Career Win Pct. Leader (94.4), career pass efficiency rating record (164.3), career yards per passing attempt record (8.87), tied career record for most wins against Top 25 opponents (nine), did not lose a regular season game. 10,098 passing yards, 90 passing TDs, 943 career rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs.
Deshaun Watson (2014-16) – QB on team that ended 35-year national championship gap. 1AA, 1D. 10,163 passing yards, 90 career passing TDs. Career completion percentage leader (.674). 12,094 yards total offense. 1,934 rushing yards, 26 rushing TDs.
Tajh Boyd (2010-13) – 1AA, Career Completions Leader (901), Career Passing TDs Leader and ACC leader (107), Career 300-yd. Games Leader (18), Career Total Offense Leader (13,069), Career Snaps by QB (2,963). 12 of the top-14 single-game passing yardage totals in school history. 11,904 passing yards and 107 passing TDs, 1,165 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs
Steve Fuller (1975-78) – 1D, 4,078 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 1,665 rushing yds, 21 rushing TDs.
Homer Jordan (1980-82) – First Clemson national championship QB. 3,509 passing yards, 14 passing TD, 925 rushing yards, 11 rushing TD.
Rodney Williams (1985-88) – Career Consecutive Games Completing A Pass leader (46), 4,082 passing yards, 16 passing TD, 809 rushing yards, 11 rushing TD.
Woody Dantzler (1998-2001) – 5,634 passing yards, 36 passing TD, 2,761 rushing yards (career leader among QBs), 27 rushing TD
Charlie Whitehurst (2002-05) – 9,665 passing yards, 49 passing TD, 98 rushing yards, 10 rushing TD

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

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Best Clemson running backs: Travis Etienne, Will Shipley followed footsteps of C.J. Spiller, Terry Allen, many more

Posted by Staff Report on August 14, 2025 | 6:00 PM

Running back might be the deepest position Clemson can boast through the modern history of the program. Fred Cone’s name adorns the Ring of Honor in Death Valley. Lester Brown changed the game for the Tigers in the late 1970s, and that led to Cliff Austin and Chuck McSwain as key pieces on the 1981 championship team.

Kevin Mack bridged to the mid-1980s dynamic duo of Kenny Flowers and Terrence Flagler, and Terry Allen became a star in the late 1980s.

The mid-1990s showcased Raymond Priester, a workhorse back who still holds the program record for most rushing yards in a game and most career snaps by a running back.

But then came the program-changer himself: C.J. Spiller, Dabo Swinney’s most important recruit, who along with Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and others, built the foundation for the later championship teams. Spiller’s list of records is too long to get into, even as he played alongside the “Thunder” to his “Lightning” in James Davis, a terrific talent in his own right.

Andre Ellington, a dynamic talent himself, kept the “run” going (see what I did there?), and he was followed by two of the greatest backs in program history.

Wayne Gallman served as one of the pivotal pieces to the 2016 championship team (who can forget his performance in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma in 2015?), and if it’s possible, he might be overlooked by some.

Gallman then passed things over to some who matched (and passed?) Spiller. Yep, that’s hard to believe, but look at Travis Etienne’s accomplishments: national champion and Clemson career rushing leader, season rushing leader, career rushing TD leader, career TD leader and career scoring leader ... WOW.

Will Shipley lived up to his recruiting hype with an outstanding career, and then Phil Mafah followed that up last year.
As the 2025 season approaches, the question becomes: Who’s next? Adam Randall, David Eziomume, Jay Haynes, Jarvis Green and true freshman Gideon Davidson – a star of Clemson’s 2025 recruiting class after maintaining a long-term commitment to Spiller and head coach Dabo Swinney – will all get a chance to make their case.

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson running backs?

Wayne Gallman (2013-16) – 3,429 yards, 34 TD, 17 100-yard games
Travis Etienne (2017-20) – 1AA, 1D, Career Rushing Leader (4,952), Season Rushing Leader (1,658), Career Yards per Carry Leader (7.2), Career Rushing TD Leader (70), Career TD Leader (78), Career Scoring Leader (468)
C.J. Spiller (2006-09) – 1AA, 1D, Career RB Receptions Leader (123), Career RB Receiving Yards Leader (1,420), Career Kickoff Returns Leader (2.052), Career TDs of 80+ yds (11), Consecutive TD Games (14), Career All-Purpose Yds. (7,588)
Fred Cone (1948-50) – ROH, first to rush for 2,000 yards, 8th career rushing TDs (30), one of just two players to start for two undefeated teams (1948, 1950)
Terrence Flagler (1982-86) – 1AA, 1D, 2,080 yards (1176 as sr.), 17 TD
Terry Allen (1987-89) – 2,778 yards (9th), 28 TDs (10th)
Raymond Priester (1994-97) – Most Rushing Yards in a Game (263), Career Snaps by RB (2,329)
Andre Ellington (2009-12) – 3,436 yards, 33 TD, 59 rec., 505 yds rec.
Will Shipley (2021-23) – 2,747 yards, 31 tD, 85 catches, 602 yrs rec.
Kevin Mack (1980-83) – 1D (supp.), 1,420 yards (862 as sr.), 12 TD
Bobby Gage (1945-48) – 1D, 1,309 yards

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

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Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco lead Clemson's wide receivers into 2025 | Plus: Best Tigers WRs of all time

Posted by Staff Report on August 14, 2025 | 5:56 PM

For the longest time, wide receiver play at Clemson seemed like an afterthought, even with talented players like Dwight Clark, Jerry Butler and Perry Tuttle. The program didn’t throw the ball much back in those days, and there really weren’t enough passes to go around for there to be many options.

Yes, a Rod Gardner or a Derrick Hamilton sprinkled in here or there would put up highlight-reel plays. But the excitement has taken off with the offense’s new look under Dabo Swinney, which has showcased wide receivers throughout his tenure.

That transformation started with DeAndre Hopkins, who evolved the position at Clemson, and Sammy Watkins, who lit the program on fire and holds too many records to list. Enter the term “WRU” in Death Valley. And it has carried over to Mike Williams, Tee Higgins, Hunter Renfrow, Artavis Scott and more (and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon).

The 2025 wide receiver room boasts talents including Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, TJ Moore, Tyler Brown, Tristan Smith (a transfer! gasp!), Cole Turner and more.

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson wide receivers?

Sammy Watkins (2011-13): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. Season Receptions Leader (101), Career 100-yd Games Leader (15), 3,391 yards (career leader), 27 TD (career co-leader), 240 receptions.
Mike Williams (2013-16): 177 receptions, 2,727 yards, 21 TDs
DeAndre Hopkins (2010-12): First-round draft pick, 3,020 yards, 27 TD (career co-leader), 206 receptions.
Jerry Butler (1975-78): Ring of Honor. First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,115 yards, 11 TD, 131 receptions.
Artavis Scott (2014-16): 245 receptions (career record), 2,458 yards, 19 TDs
Hunter Renfrow (2015-18): 186 receptions, 2,133 yards, 15 TDs
Perry Tuttle (1978-81): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,329 yards, 16 TD
Rod Gardner (1997-2000): First-team All-American, first-round draft pick. 2,302 yards, 12 TD
Derrick Hamilton (2001-03): 163 receptions, 2,218 yards, 15 TD
Tee Higgins (2017-19): 135 receptions, 2,448 yards, 27 TDs
Dwight Clark (1976-78): 543 yards, 3 TD

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

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

Each podcast episode covers both the season preview and the best all-time Clemson Tigers at each position, while each blogs is shorter and only covers either the best ever or the 2025 preview. Here are all the links you could need!

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Previous All posts Next

What time is Clemson kickoff?

Khalil Barnes keys Clemson's safeties in 2025: Quick look

Cade Klubnik eyes Clemson championship: 2025 quarterbacks preview | Plus: Best-ever Tigers passers

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson QBs?

Best Clemson running backs: Travis Etienne, Will Shipley followed footsteps of C.J. Spiller, Terry Allen, many more

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson running backs?

Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco lead Clemson's wide receivers into 2025 | Plus: Best Tigers WRs of all time

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson wide receivers?

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

Clemson Defensive Tackles

Clemson Defensive Ends

Clemson Linebackers

Clemson Safeties

Clemson Cornerbacks

Clemson Wide Receivers

Clemson Tight Ends

Clemson Offensive Line

Clemson Running Backs

Clemson Quarterbacks