1. Clemson
Previous Way-Too-Early rank: 1
2017 record: 12-2, 7-1 ACC
Returning starters: seven offense, eight defense, two special teams
Key losses: G Tyrone Crowder, G Taylor Hearn, WR Deon Cain, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, S Van Smith, LB Dorian O’Daniel, CB Ryan Carter
Outlook: The good news keeps coming for the Tigers, who signed a fourth straight top-10 recruiting class after a handful of their draft-eligible juniors decided to return for another college season.
Five-star prospect Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville, Georgia, the No. 1 pocket passer in the ESPN 300, is already enrolled and will have a chance to battle incumbent Kelly Bryant this spring. The Tigers also signed four-star receiver Justyn Ross, the No. 1 prospect in Alabama, who might be able to help right away.
Clemson signed two of the country’s highest-rated defensive ends — K.J. Henry of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Xavier Thomas of Florence, South Carolina — and defensive coordinator Brent Venables can bring them along slowly with Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkinsdeciding to come back.
After falling short of winning back-to-back national championships, the Tigers should enter 2018 as a heavy favorite to win the ACC and make their fourth straight appearance in the CFP. The Tigers will play nonconference games against two SEC foes — at Texas A&M on Sept. 8 and at home against South Carolina on Nov. 24. They’ll play Florida State on the road on Oct. 27 and will avoid Miami and Virginia Tech during the regular season.
For more on how the Tigers will look in 2018, check out Clemson’s recruiting profile and ESPN’s class rankings.
