Clemson lands in USA TODAY’s early Top 25 but remains unranked elsewhere, highlighting uncertainty and a defining offseason for the Tigers.
Clemson’s place in the early 2026 college football landscape depends on who’s holding the ballot.
While ESPN, CBS and On3 left the Clemson Tigers outside their way-too-early Top 25 projections, USA TODAY broke from that consensus, slotting the Tigers at No. 19. The contrast is revealing — not just about Clemson’s roster, but about how the program is currently viewed nationally.