After a few years of falling short, Clemson is optimistic about getting back on track. While a National Championship isn’t necessary this season to show progress, the team aims to at least secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Although returning to top contention is challenging, having a head coach like Dabo Swinney provides a significant advantage.
Recently, Swinney discussed his strategy for restoring Clemson to serious contention. He emphasized the importance of fundamentals, recruiting, coaching, and continuous improvement, while also acknowledging that luck plays a role. “It’s a combination of everything we do. It’s about getting better, and sometimes luck is involved too. We’ve had plenty of good fortune over the years. Our situation would be different if we were 9-4 and struggling, but that’s not the case.”
Swinney also highlighted a specific area where Clemson needs improvement this season: red zone efficiency. “From 2015 to 2020, we were exceptional in close games, with an 82 percent success rate. We were 18-4 during that period. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, however, we’ve dropped to 27th in the country with a 65 percent success rate. We haven’t performed well in tight games.”
The quarterback position is crucial, and Clemson has been fortunate to have some top talent there in recent years. Among them, Deshaun Watson is recognized as one of the best college football players of the 21st century. Watson was ranked No. 16 on ESPN’s list of “Top 25 Players of the 21st Century.” He is one of eight quarterbacks on the list, with Lamar Jackson at No. 20 and Kyler Murray at No. 18. The list includes Joe Burrow, Tim Tebow, Vince Young, Cam Newton, and Baker Mayfield at Nos. 9, 6, 4, 3, and 2, respectively.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly remarked on Watson’s impact: “Under Dabo Swinney, Clemson transformed from an intriguing but inconsistent team to a national powerhouse. Watson was a standout as a freshman before an ACL injury, but in his final two seasons, the Tigers went 28-2, losing a close game to Alabama in the 2015 national title match and winning the championship in 2016. Watson passed for 8,697 yards and 76 touchdowns, and despite knee issues, rushed for 1,734 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was the first player to combine 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season, and his final pass was a championship-winning touchdown. It’s hard to surpass that.”
