Clemson sports news and analysis: Clemson Kickoff News & Reign Supreme Alway Podcast (18)

Best-ever Clemson defensive tackles include Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins. Plus: Peter Woods leads Tigers DTs season preview for 2025

Posted by Staff Report on July 29, 2025 | 8:46 AM

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

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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Clemson football homecoming 2025 set for Nov. 1 vs. Duke

Posted by Bill Zimmerman on June 2, 2025 | 3:01 AM

Clemson football's homecoming game in 2025 takes place Nov. 1 against Duke, the athletics department announced in June 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.

[UPDATE: The game kicks off at noon, the ACC announced Oct. 20.]

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.

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Tags: Tiger Trends

Clemson Softball ACC Tournament preview 2025

Posted by Staff Report on May 4, 2025 | 11:24 AM

The Clemson softball team knows its postseason journey begins on Thursday in Boston. But who will the Tigers play in that first game?

We’ll find that out Wednesday evening, after Virginia faces off against Louisville in the ACC tournament -- with the winner advancing to play against the Tigers at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Clemson has had a remarkable season, finishing the regular season 41-12 overall and 19-5 in the ACC to earn the second seed for this week’s tournament.

The Tigers have hit 77 home runs, while giving up just 41. Let's take a look at why this team is deep in talent.

Seniors Drive Clemson Softball's Turnaround in 2025

The team's senior leadership stood out this season with plenty of help from the freshman class, a powerful sophomore and two key transfers to keep the momentum going this season for Clemson’s young program. That came to light as the squad recovered from a 3-6 start to its season.

Let’s take a look at the key contributions from four of those seniors.

Maddie Moore: Moore has had an All-America-type season, batting .434 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI.
Alex Brown: Brown is hitting .431 with 61 runs scored and 34 RBI out of the leadoff spot.
Aby Vieira: The catcher has had her healthiest season with the program with three home runs and 30 RBI while continuing to be a rock behind the plate, starting every game.
Brooke McCubbin: The pitcher has stepped into a larger role, going 13-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 31 appearances, including 18 starts.

Julia Knowler Leads Tigers Youth Movement

Add to that core of talent a powerful sophomore: Julia Knowler, who was injured for much of her freshman season. Knowler has come on strong, batting .322 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI and serving as a big piece of Clemson’s power lineup.

Then there are several freshmen who have contributed quickly.

Marian Collins: She has started every game at shortstop, batting .345 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI, and no Clemson fan will forget her walk-on home run against South Carolina any time soon.
Macey Cintron: She has started 52 games, batting .316 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI, and is 8-2 on the mound in 22 appearances, including seven starts. Cintron is one of the game’s rising two-way players.
Ava Wilson: She has batted .253 with six home runs and 21 RBI, while making 32 starts..
Sam Minish: She has batted .279 while making 29 starts.
Taylor Pipkins: She has batted .293 while making 22 starts.

Clemson Transfers Add Big Contributions

Two more new faces have made a big impact as transfers: Jamison Brockenbrough and Reese Basinger.

Brockenbrough has started 51 times and has been stellar in center field while batting .344 with 42 runs scored and solidifying the bottom of the lineup.

And in her first season with the program, Reese Basinger stepped right into the lead role on the pitching staff with a 16-5 record and 2.99 ERA in 35 appearances, including 26 starts.

A roster that looked shaky to start the season now looks like it could do some real damage this postseason, with all the pieces in sync.

Complete ACC Softball Tournament Schedule

The ACC Network will broadcast all of the games until the championship game, which will be broadcast by ESPN.

Wednesday
Game 1: No. 8 Georgia Tech vs. No. 9 California, 11 a.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Stanford vs. No. 12 Pitt, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Virginia vs. No. 10 Louisville, 5 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday
Game 5: No. 1 Florida State vs. Game 1 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 6: No. 4 Duke vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Clemson vs. Game 3 winner, 5 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10
Championship: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 2:30 p.m.

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Tags: Tiger Trends

What Gordon Sellars adds for Clemson | Call to arms for Clemson baseball | Jestin Porter commits

Posted by Bill Zimmerman on April 24, 2025 | 8:06 AM

Hey, Clemson Family -- Another busy week for the Tigers across several programs. Wide receiver Gordon Sellars headlines the latest news, committing to Clemson football for the 2026 signing class. More recently, Clemson baseball knocked off Georgia as starting pitcher Talan Bell led the way and saves record holder Lucas Mahlstedt slammed the door on the Dawgs, this on the heels of another ACC series win during the weekend. Men's basketball coach Brad Brownell added what might be the final piece of his large transfer-class puzzle by bringing in Jestin Porter from Middle Tennessee. And speaking of Tennessee, Tigers softball continued its winning ways by knocking off the No. 1 Volunteers in Knoxville in their midweek matchup. We've got details and analysis on all of it, be sure to add your thoughts (and smash that like button for us too). We're glad you found us -- be sure to watch on YouTube so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!

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Tags: Reign Supreme Alway podcast

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What time is Clemson kickoff?

Best-ever Clemson defensive tackles include Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins. Plus: Peter Woods leads Tigers DTs season preview for 2025

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson defensive tackles?

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

Clemson football homecoming 2025 set for Nov. 1 vs. Duke

Clemson Softball ACC Tournament preview 2025

Seniors Drive Clemson Softball's Turnaround in 2025

Julia Knowler Leads Tigers Youth Movement

Clemson Transfers Add Big Contributions

Complete ACC Softball Tournament Schedule

What Gordon Sellars adds for Clemson | Call to arms for Clemson baseball | Jestin Porter commits