# Clemson Tigers football

The Clemson Tigers football program are the American football team at Clemson University. The Tigers compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In recent years, the Tigers have been ranked among the most elite college football programs in the United States.
Formed in 1896, the program has an all-time record of 804–473–44, with a bowl record of 27-23. Clemson was a College Football Playoff finalist in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019, defeating Alabama in both 2016 and 2018 to secure the national title. Clemson has had six undefeated seasons (including the first-ever 15–0 team), boasted six consecutive playoff appearances from 2015 to 2021, and retains 27 conference championships, including 8 since 2011. Its alumni include over 100 All-Americans, 17 Academic All-Americans and over 250 players in the National Football League. Clemson has had eight members inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: players Banks McFadden, Terry Kinard, Jeff Davis, and C. J. Spiller along with coaches John Heisman, Jess Neely, Frank Howard, and Danny Ford.
Clemson is one of the founding members of the ACC and holds 22 ACC titles, the most of any member. Its 28 total conference titles, including six consecutive ACC titles from 2015 to 2020, are the most of any ACC school. Clemson's most recent ACC title came in 2024, against SMU. Clemson's streak of eleven consecutive 10-win seasons from 2011-2022 ranked second in active streaks behind the Alabama Crimson Tide, coming to an end after Clemson's 2023 season where they finished with a 9-4 record. Among its eight undefeated regular seasons, Clemson has been crowned national champion 3 times. Clemson was named poll-era national champion and finished with its third perfect season with a win over Nebraska in the 1982 Orange Bowl. Clemson was the National Championship Finalist Runner-up with a 14–1 record in 2015 before winning the National Title over No. 1 Alabama in college football's first National Championship rematch in 2016, and again in 2018. The Tigers have 46 bowl appearances, 20 of which are among the New Year's Six Bowls, including nine during the "Big Four" era. Clemson has 34 finishes in the final top 25 in the modern era and it finished in either the Associated Press final poll or the coaches' final poll a combined 59 times since 1939.
The Tigers play their home games in Memorial Stadium on the university's Clemson, South Carolina campus. The stadium's nickname, "Death Valley" was coined in 1948 by Presbyterian College head coach Lonnie McMillan after his teams were routinely defeated there. Memorial Stadium is among the largest stadiums in college football.

## History

Walter Riggs, often regarded as the "father of Clemson football," brought the sport to Clemson from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University). The team's first game, played on Halloween 1896, resulted in a 2–1 record for the inaugural season. Riggs influenced the choice of the team mascot and colors. The Tigers’ early success included their first undefeated season in 1900 under coach John W. Heisman, who led the team to a 19–3–2 record. Heisman’s coaching set a precedent for excellence and innovation.
During the mid-20th century, the program experienced substantial growth under Frank Howard, who coached from 1940 to 1969. Howard's tenure saw Clemson win two Southern Conference championships and six ACC championships. Known for his colorful personality and imaginative storytelling, Howard integrated various offensive formations. His legacy includes the tradition of rubbing "Howard's Rock" before home games and the naming of the playing field at Memorial Stadium as "Frank Howard Field" in 1974.
The late 20th century and early 21st century saw the football program navigate through challenges and successes under multiple head coaches. Danny Ford led the Tigers to their first national championship in 1981, achieving an undefeated season. Ford's era was marked by NCAA sanctions due to recruiting violations, which impacted the program's reputation and success. Ken Hatfield, Ford’s successor, focused on cleaning up the program's image but faced criticism from fans, leading to his resignation. Subsequent coaches, including Tommy West, struggled to achieve consistent success until the hiring of Tommy Bowden in 1999, who maintained bowl eligibility every season, but failed to secure an ACC championship.
The modern era is defined by the leadership of Dabo Swinney, who became head coach in 2008. Swinney revitalized the program, leading the Tigers to multiple ACC championships and two national titles in 2016 and 2018. His tenure has been characterized by significant achievements, including the establishment of Clemson as a perennial contender in the College Football Playoff. Swinney’s ability to recruit and develop talent, combined with strategic hires like offensive coordinator Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Brent Venables, has sustained Clemson’s success. Notably, under Swinney, Clemson became the first team since 1897 to finish a season 15–0. In 2022, Clemson defeated Syracuse 27–21, extending the Tigers' home winning streak to 38, a new ACC record.

## Conference affiliations

* Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1896–1921)
* Southern Conference (1922–1952)
* Atlantic Coast Conference (1953–present)

## Championships
### National championships

Clemson claims three national championships. In 1981 they finished as the only undefeated team with a 22–15 victory over the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and were named the national champions by all major four consensus selectors (AP, Coaches, FWAA, and NFF). In 2016 and 2018 they won the College Football Playoff, defeating Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game both times.
| Year | Coach | Selector | Record | Bowl | Final AP | Final Coaches |
| 1981 | Danny Ford | AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF$^†$ | 12–0 | Won Orange Bowl | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 2016 | Dabo Swinney | AP, Coaches, CFP, NFF$^{††}$ | 14–1 | Won Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal) Won CFP National Championship | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 2018 | Dabo Swinney | AP, Coaches, CFP, NFF$^{†††}$ | 15–0 | Won Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal) Won CFP National Championship | No. 1 | No. 1 |
† Other selectors for 1981 included Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, FACT, FB News, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, Matthews, National Championship Foundation, New York Times, Poling, Sagarin, and Sporting News †† Other selectors for 2016 include A&H, BR, CCR, CFRA, DuS, MCFR, SR, W ††† Other selectors for 2018 include A&H, BR, CCR, CFRA, CM, DuS, MCFR, SR, W

### Conference championships

Clemson won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1900 and 1902 (tied 1903 and 1906) along with the Southern Conference title in 1940 and 1948. Their 22 ACC titles (20 outright, 2 tied) are the most ACC football championships. In 1965, South Carolina violated participation rules relating to two ineligible players and was required to forfeit wins against North Carolina State and Clemson. North Carolina State and Clemson were then declared co-champions.
| Year | Coach | Conference | Overall record | Conference record |
| 1900 | John Heisman | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association | 6–0 | 4–0 |
| 1902 | John Heisman | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association | 6–1 | 6–0 |
| 1903† | John Heisman | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association | 4–1–1 | 2–0–1 |
| 1906† | Bob Williams | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association | 4–0–3 | 4–0 |
| 1940 | Frank Howard | Southern Conference | 6–2–1 | 4–0 |
| 1948 | Frank Howard | Southern Conference | 11–0 | 5–0 |
| 1956 | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 7–2–2 | 4–0–1 |
| 1958 | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 1959 | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 9–2 | 6–1 |
| 1965† | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 5–5 | 5–2 |
| 1966 | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 6–4 | 6–1 |
| 1967 | Frank Howard | Atlantic Coast Conference | 6–4 | 6–0 |
| 1978 | Charley Pell | Atlantic Coast Conference | 11–1 | 6–0 |
| 1981 | Danny Ford | Atlantic Coast Conference | 12–0 | 6–0 |
| 1982 | Danny Ford | Atlantic Coast Conference | 9–1–1 | 6–0 |
| 1986 | Danny Ford | Atlantic Coast Conference | 8–2–2 | 5–1–1 |
| 1987 | Danny Ford | Atlantic Coast Conference | 10–2 | 6–1 |
| 1988 | Danny Ford | Atlantic Coast Conference | 10–2 | 6–1 |
| 1991 | Ken Hatfield | Atlantic Coast Conference | 9–2–1 | 6–0–1 |
| 2011 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 10–4 | 6–2 |
| 2015 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 14–1 | 8–0 |
| 2016 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 14–1 | 7-1 |
| 2017 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 12–2 | 7–1 |
| 2018 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 15–0 | 8–0 |
| 2019 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 14–1 | 8–0 |
| 2020 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 10–2 | 8–1 |
| 2022 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 11–3 | 8–0 |
| 2024 | Dabo Swinney | Atlantic Coast Conference | 10–3 | 7–1 |
† Co-champions

### Division championships

In 2005, the Atlantic Coast Conference divided into two divisions of six teams each and began holding an ACC Championship Game at the conclusion of the regular football season to determine the conference champion. Clemson won its first outright ACC Atlantic Division championship in 2009. In 2012 and 2016, Clemson was co-champion of the Atlantic Division. On August 18, 2011, Georgia Tech vacated their 2009 ACC Championship Game victory over Clemson due to NCAA violations. The game is considered by the NCAA and ACC to have no winner.
| Year | Coach | Division championship | Opponent | CG result |
| 2009 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Georgia Tech | L 34–39 (vacated) |
| 2011 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Virginia Tech | W 38–10 |
| 2015 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | North Carolina | W 45–37 |
| 2016 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Virginia Tech | W 42–35 |
| 2017 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Miami | W 38–3 |
| 2018 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Pittsburgh | W 42–10 |
| 2019 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | Virginia | W 62–17 |
| 2022 | Dabo Swinney | ACC Atlantic | North Carolina | W 39–10 |

## Playoffs

Clemson was selected as the one seed in the second College Football Playoff and defeated the fourth seed Oklahoma on December 31, 2015, in the 2015 Orange Bowl. They lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship game on January 11, 2016. Clemson was selected to the third College Football Playoff as the second seed and defeated the third seed Ohio State on December 31, 2016, in the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship games in both 2017 and 2019. Clemson has a 6–5 record in playoff games through the 2024 season.
| Year | Seed | Opponent | Round | Result | Notes |
| 2015 | 1 | No. 4 Oklahoma | Semi-finals – Orange Bowl | W 37–17 | notes |
| 2015 | 1 | No. 2 Alabama | Final – CFP National Championship Game | L 40–45 | notes |
| 2016 | 2 | No. 3 Ohio State | Semi-finals – Fiesta Bowl | W 31–0 | notes |
| 2016 | 2 | No. 1 Alabama | Final – CFP National Championship Game | W 35–31 | notes |
| 2017 | 1 | No. 4 Alabama | Semi-finals – Sugar Bowl | L 6–24 | notes |
| 2018 | 2 | No. 3 Notre Dame | Semi-finals – Cotton Bowl | W 30–3 | notes |
| 2018 | 2 | No. 1 Alabama | Final – CFP National Championship Game | W 44–16 | notes |
| 2019 | 3 | No. 2 Ohio State | Semi-finals – Fiesta Bowl | W 29–23 | notes |
| 2019 | 3 | No. 1 LSU | Final – CFP National Championship Game | L 25–42 | notes |
| 2020 | 2 | No. 3 Ohio State | Semi-finals – Sugar Bowl | L 28–49 | notes |
| 2024 | 12 | No. 5 Texas | CFP First Round | L 24–38 | notes |

## National polls

Clemson has ended their football season ranked 38 times in either the AP or Coaches Poll.
Clemson had 12 consecutive 10-win seasons from 2011 to 2022. Before the streak came to an end in 2023, it was the 2nd longest active streak behind Alabama with 16.
| Year | Record | AP Poll† | Coaches‡ | Harris |
| 1939 | 9–1–0 | 12 | – | – |
| 1948 | 11–0–0 | 11 | – | – |
| 1950 | 9–0–1 | 10 | 12 | – |
| 1951 | 7–3–0 | 20 | – | – |
| 1956 | 7–2–2 | 19 | – | – |
| 1957 | 7–3–0 | – | 18 | – |
| 1958 | 8–3–0 | 12 | 13 | – |
| 1959 | 9–2–0 | 11 | 11 | – |
| 1977 | 8–3–1 | 19 | – | – |
| 1978 | 11–1–0 | 6 | 7 | – |
| 1981 | 12–0–0 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 1982 | 9–1–1 | 8 | – | – |
| 1983 | 9–1–1 | 11 | – | – |
| 1986 | 8–2–2 | 17 | 19 | – |
| 1987 | 10–2–0 | 12 | 10 | – |
| 1988 | 10–2–0 | 9 | 8 | – |
| 1989 | 10–2–0 | 12 | 11 | – |
| 1990 | 10–2–0 | 9 | 9 | – |
| 1991 | 9–2–1 | 18 | 17 | – |
| 1993 | 9–3–0 | 23 | 22 | – |
| 2000 | 9–3 | 16 | 14 | – |
| 2003 | 9–4 | 22 | 22 | – |
| 2005 | 8–4 | 21 | 21 | 23 |
| 2007 | 9–4 | 21 | 22 | 16 |
| 2009 | 9–5 | 24 | – | – |
| 2011 | 10–4 | 22 | 22 | 14 |
| 2012 | 11–2 | 11 | 9 | 13 |
| 2013 | 11–2 | 8 | 7 | 11 |
| 2014 | 10–3 | 15 | 15 | – |
| 2015 | 14–1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 14–1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 12–2 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 15–0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 14–1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 10–2 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 10–3 | 14 | 16 | |
| 2022 | 11–3 | 12 | 13 | |
| 2023 | 9–4 | 20 | 20 | |
† AP Poll began selecting the nation's Top 20 teams in 1936. Only the Top 10 teams were recognized from 1962 to 1967. The AP Poll expanded back to the Top 20 teams in 1968. In 1989, it began recognizing the Top 25 teams.
‡ UPI/Coaches Poll began selecting its Top 20 teams on a weekly basis in 1950 before expanding to the nation's Top 25 teams in 1990.

## Bowl games

Clemson holds a 27–23 record in bowl games through the 2022 season. This is a list of Clemson's 16 most recent bowl games.
| Season | Coach | Bowl | Date | Opponent | Result |
| 2010 | Dabo Swinney | Meineke Car Care Bowl | December 31, 2010 | South Florida | L 26–31 |
| 2011 | Dabo Swinney | Orange Bowl | January 4, 2012 | West Virginia | L 33–70 |
| 2012 | Dabo Swinney | Chick-fil-A Bowl | December 31, 2012 | LSU | W 25–24 |
| 2013 | Dabo Swinney | Orange Bowl | January 3, 2014 | Ohio State | W 40–35 |
| 2014 | Dabo Swinney | Russell Athletic Bowl | December 29, 2014 | Oklahoma | W 40–6 |
| 2015 | Dabo Swinney | Orange Bowl | December 31, 2015 | Oklahoma | W 37–17 |
| 2015 | Dabo Swinney | 2016 CFP National Championship | January 11, 2016 | Alabama | L 40–45 |
| 2016 | Dabo Swinney | Fiesta Bowl | December 31, 2016 | Ohio State | W 31–0 |
| 2016 | Dabo Swinney | 2017 CFP National Championship | January 9, 2017 | Alabama | W 35–31 |
| 2017 | Dabo Swinney | Sugar Bowl | January 1, 2018 | Alabama | L 6–24 |
| 2018 | Dabo Swinney | Cotton Bowl | December 29, 2018 | Notre Dame | W 30–3 |
| 2018 | Dabo Swinney | 2019 CFP National Championship | January 7, 2019 | Alabama | W 44–16 |
| 2019 | Dabo Swinney | Fiesta Bowl | December 28, 2019 | Ohio State | W 29–23 |
| 2019 | Dabo Swinney | 2020 CFP National Championship | January 13, 2020 | LSU | L 25–42 |
| 2020 | Dabo Swinney | Sugar Bowl | January 1, 2021 | Ohio State | L 28–49 |
| 2021 | Dabo Swinney | Cheez-It Bowl | December 29, 2021 | Iowa State | W 20–13 |
| 2022 | Dabo Swinney | Orange Bowl | December 30, 2022 | Tennessee | L 14–31 |
| 2023 | Dabo Swinney | Gator Bowl | December 29, 2023 | Kentucky | W 38–35 |

## Head coaches

| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
| 1896–1899 | Walter M Riggs | 2 | 6–3 | .667 |
| 1897 | William M. Williams | 1 | 2–2 | .500 |
| 1898 | John A. Penton | 1 | 3–1 | .750 |
| 1900–1903 | John W. Heisman | 4 | 19–3–2 | .833 |
| 1904 | Shack Shealy | 1 | 3–3–1 | .500 |
| 1905 | Edward B. "Eddie" Cochems | 1 | 3–2–1 | .583 |
| 1906–1915 | Bob Williams | 5 | 22–14–6 | .595 |
| 1907 | Frank J. Shaughnessy | 1 | 4–4–0 | .500 |
| 1908 | Stein Stone | 1 | 1–6–0 | .143 |
| 1910–1912 | Frank M. Dobson | 3 | 11–12–1 | .479 |
| 1916 | Wayne Hart | 1 | 3–6 | .333 |
| 1917–1920 | Edward A. Donahue | 4 | 21–12–3 | .625 |
| 1921–1922 | Edward J. "Doc" Stewart | 2 | 6–10–2 | .389 |
| 1923–1926 | Bud Saunders | 4 | 10–22–1 | .318 |
| 1927–1930 | Josh C. Cody | 4 | 29–11–1 | .720 |
| 1931–1939 | Jess C. Neely | 9 | 43–35–7 | .547 |
| 1940–1969 | Frank Howard | 30 | 165–118–12 | .580 |
| 1970–1972 | Hootie Ingram | 3 | 12–21 | .364 |
| 1973–1976 | Jimmy "Red" Parker | 4 | 17–25–2 | .409 |
| 1977–1978 | Charley Pell | 2 | 18–4–1 | .804 |
| 1978–1989 | Danny Ford | 12 | 96–29–4 | .760 |
| 1990–1993 | Ken Hatfield | 4 | 32–13–1 | .707 |
| 1993–1998 | Tommy West | 6 | 31–28 | .525 |
| 1999–2008 | Tommy Bowden | 10 | 72–45 | .615 |
| 2008–current | Dabo Swinney | 14 | 170–44 | .798 |

### Coaching staff

Clemson Tigers :
| Name | Position | Consecutive season at Clemson in current position | Previous position |
| Garrett Riley | Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks | 3rd | TCU – Offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks (2021–2022) |
| Tom Allen | Defensive coordinator / linebackers | 1st | Penn State – Defensive coordinator (2024) |
| Mickey Conn | Defensive Pass Game Coordinator / Co-Special Teams Coordinator / safeties | 9th | Clemson – Safeties / special teams coordinator (2021) |
| Michael Reed | Special teams coordinator / cornerbacks | 13th | Clemson – Defensive backs (2013–2021) |
| Matt Luke | Assistant Head Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator / Offensive line | 2nd | |
| Tyler Grisham | Offensive Pass Game Coordinator / Wide receivers | 6th | Clemson – Offensive analyst (2016–2019) |
| C. J. Spiller | Offensive Run Game Coordinator / Running backs | 5th | Clemson – Graduate intern (2020) |
| Kyle Richardson | Tight ends / Co-Offensive Coordinator | 4th | Clemson – Senior offensive assistant (2016–2021) |
| Nick Eason | Associate Head Coach / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Tackles | 4th | Auburn – Defensive line (2021) |
| Chris Rumph | Defensive Run Game Coordinator, Defensive Ends | 2nd | Minnesota Vikings - Defensive line (2022–2023) |
| Joey Batson | Director of football strength & conditioning | 27th | Furman – Director of strength training (1996) |
| Reference: ||||

## Clemson traditions

* Howard's Rock In the early 1960s, the rock was given to then head coach Frank Howard by a friend, Samuel Columbus Jones (Clemson Class of 1919). It was presented to Howard by Jones, saying "Here's a rock from Death Valley, California, to Death Valley, South Carolina." Howard didn't think anything else about the rock and it was used as a door stop in his office for several years. In September 1966, while cleaning out his office, Howard noticed the rock and told IPTAY executive director Gene Willimon, "Take this rock and throw it over the fence or out in the ditch...do something with it, but get it out of my office." Willimon had the rock placed on a pedestal at the top of the east endzone hill that the team ran down to enter the field for games. On September 24, 1966, the first time Clemson players ran by the rock, they beat conference rival Virginia, 40–35. Howard, seizing on the motivational potential of "The Rock", told his players, "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off of my rock." The team started rubbing the Rock for the first game of 1967, which was a 23–6 waxing of ACC foe Wake Forest.
    As a result, it is now a tradition for the Clemson Army ROTC to protect the Rock for the 24 hours prior to the Clemson-South Carolina game when held in Death Valley. ROTC cadets keep a steady drum cadence around the rock prior to the game, which can be heard across the campus. Part of the tradition comes after unknown parties vandalized the Rock prior to the 1992 South Carolina-Clemson game. On June 2, 2013, Howard's Rock was again vandalized when the case containing it was broken and a portion of the rock was removed by an apparent fan of the Tigers, who was eventually arrested following a police investigation.
* Gathering at the Paw One of the most criticized and misunderstood traditions in all of college football is Clemson's "Gathering At The Paw." After every home football game, fans are allowed to come onto the field to sing the alma mater, and gather around the center of the field. While many say it's "rushing" the field, in truth it's more of a gathering as there is a clock that tells fans when they can come onto the field. There is time given for players and coaches to get off of the field. It is done after every home game, win or lose.
* Running Down the Hill Probably the most highly publicized tradition of the Clemson Tigers football team is the entrance, which Brent Musburger referred to as "The Most Exciting 25 seconds in College Football." Running down "The Hill" originally started out of practicality. Before the west stands were built, the football team dressed across the street at Fike Field House and ran from there to the gate and down the hill onto the field. Now, after exiting the stadium on the west side, the players load into buses which, escorted by police officers, make their way around the stadium to the east side where The Hill is located. This scene is shown on the JumboTron inside the stadium. When the buses arrive at the east side the players get out and gather at the top of the hill and stand around Howard's Rock; once most of the players are out of the buses and ready to go a cannon sounds; the band begins to play Tiger Rag and the players make their way down the hill. The spelling out of C-L-E-M-S-O-N during this Tiger Rag is one of, if not the, loudest times it will be spelled out during the game.
* Ring of Honor Created in 1994, the Ring of Honor is the highest award given to former coaches, players, and other individuals who made a direct impact on the football program.
* The Graveyard The Graveyard is a mock cemetery near the football practice fields that features tombstones commemorating Clemson's victories over ranked opponents on the road.
* First Friday Parade The Clemson football season kicks off each year with the annual First Friday Parade. The once a year event takes place on the Friday afternoon prior to the first home football game. Floats from various fraternities and sororities and other campus organizations are represented in the parade that rolls down main street in Clemson. The parade culminates at the Amphitheater in the middle of campus where the first Pep Rally of the year takes place. The Grand Marshal of the Parade is featured at the Pep Rally. Recent Grand Marshals have ranged from current PGA professional Dillard Pruitt, to College Football Hall of Fame legends Jess Neely and Frank Howard, to noted television announcers Brent Musburger and Ara Parseghian.
* Tailgating On October 15, 2012, Southern Living named Clemson the South's best tailgate.
* Military Appreciation Game This honors Clemson's history as a military school. The team wears purple uniforms (their secondary color) for the annual Military Appreciation Game.
* Tiger Walk Like many sports teams, the Tigers have a traditionally-styled Walk of Champions. In addition to this, however, they also have a more informal tradition referred to as the Tiger Walk.

## Rivalries
### Alabama

The two southern schools have long, decorated histories in the sport of college football. They first met on the football field on November 29, 1900. Clemson won the inaugural matchup by a score of 35–0. The Crimson Tide and Tigers met again in 1904 and 1905, with Clemson winning both games. Beginning with the next meeting between the two squads in 1909, Alabama won the next thirteen matchups against Clemson. The Tide posted the biggest margin of victory in the rivalry in 1931, beating the Tigers by a margin of 74–7. In the first seven games of Alabama's 13-game streak, Clemson only score seven total points and was shut out in six of the seven games. After a 56–0 shutout Alabama victory in 1975, the squads didn't meet again until 2008, when they squared off on opening weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tide emerged victorious with a 34–10 victory.
The last four matchups between the squads have had national championship implications and have greatly re-intensified the rivalry. The teams squared off in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship in Glendale, Arizona, resulting in Alabama emerging with a thrilling 45–40 victory. The next year, the teams again found themselves doing battle in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa, Florida, with Clemson emerging with a last-second 35–31 victory and their first win over the Crimson Tide since 1905. Once again the teams met in the 2018 Sugar Bowl semifinal in New Orleans, Louisiana with a trip to the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game on the line. Alabama won by a score of 24–6 following two costly Clemson interceptions in the second half. Their most recent meeting was in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. This time, Clemson dismantled the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide in a 44–16 rout to win its third national title.
Alabama leads the series 14–5 through the 2023 season.

### Auburn

These old rivals (which are often called sister schools) first played in 1899, but until 2010, had not faced each other in the regular season since 1971. Along with snapping a 14-game losing streak to the Tigers of the Plains, Clemson also snapped Auburn's 17-game winning streak coming off of the 2009–2011 seasons after a home-and-home series in the 2010–11 seasons. The Georgia Dome then hosted the Auburn–Clemson rivalry the following year in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Clemson defeated Auburn 26–19 riding on a 231-yard performance by Andre Ellington. This game was notable due to Sammy Watkins' absence, having been suspended the first two games due to a drug-related arrest in May 2012. Auburn leads the overall series 34–15–2 through the 2018 season.

### Boston College

The O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy was created in 2008 by the Boston College Gridiron Club to honor the tradition at both schools and to honor the legacy of Charlie O'Rourke and Banks McFadden, who played during the leather helmet era. The club plans to make this an annual presentation. Clemson first met Boston College on the football field in the 1940 Cotton Bowl Classic, the first ever bowl game for the Tigers and Eagles. Over the next 43 years, the teams met a total of 14 times. In 2005, Boston College joined the ACC and the Atlantic Division. Since then, the game has been played on an annual basis with Clemson winning the last 11 meetings. As of 2022 the Tigers lead the series 21–9–2.

### Florida State

Between 1999 and 2007 the ACC Atlantic Division matchup between Clemson and Florida State was referred to as the "Bowden Bowl" to reflect the father-son head coach matchup between Bobby Bowden (Father, FSU) and Tommy Bowden (Son, Clemson). Their first meeting, in 1999, was the first time in Division I-A history that a father and a son met as opposing head coaches in a football game. Bobby Bowden won the first four matchups extending FSU's winning streak over Clemson to 11 dating back to 1992. Since 2003, Clemson is 11–6, including a 26–10 win in Clemson over then-No. 3 FSU. Also during this time the Tigers recorded a 27–20 win in Tallahassee in 2006 which broke a 17-year losing streak in Doak Campbell Stadium. 2007 was the last Bowden Bowl game as Tommy resigned as head coach in October 2008. No. 3 Clemson pulled off a thriller in Tallahassee in 2016, 37–34, over the No. 12-ranked Seminoles. In 2018, No. 2 Clemson defeated Florida State in Tallahassee 59–10, which tied the Seminoles' worst loss margin in history. This marked a 2nd time the Tigers have beaten the Seminoles by more than 17-points. Clemson did it again in 2019, beating FSU 45–14. FSU has defeated Clemson by more than 17-points nine times. The most lopsided contest occurred in 1993, with the FSU squad winning 57–0. As of 2022, Florida State leads the overall series 20–15. Before the dissolution of divisions in ACC Football as of 2023, the annual Clemson-Florida State game often decided which team would represent the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship. However, under the ACC's new scheduling system, Clemson and Florida State are designated as permanent rivals and will continue to compete for the title every year. Because of the new ACC scheduling system, there is a chance these rivals could face each other a second time in the ACC Championship.

### Georgia

The Bulldogs and the Tigers have played each other 64 times beginning in 1897, with the 64th meeting played in 2014. Clemson's only regular-season losses of the 1978, 1982, and 1991 campaigns all came at the hands of Georgia "between the hedges", whereas Georgia's only regular-season setback during the three years of the Herschel Walker era came in Death Valley during Danny Ford's 1981 national championship run.
During the two programs' simultaneous glory days of the early 1980s, no rivalry in all of college football was more important at the national level. The Bulldogs and Tigers played each other every season from 1973 to 1987, with Scott Woerner's dramatic returns in 1980 and the nine turnovers forced by the Tigers in 1981 effectively settling the eventual national champion. No rivalry of that period was more competitive, as evidenced by the critical 11th-hour field goals kicked by Kevin Butler in 1984 and by David Treadwell more than once later in the decade. Despite blowouts in 1990 by the Tigers and in 1994 and 2003 by the Bulldogs, the series typically has remained very competitive with evenly matched games. Most recently, Georgia defeated Clemson 10–3 in the 2021 Duke's Mayo Classic with neither team scoring an offensive touchdown; Georgia went on to win the national title in 2021. The Bulldogs maintains a 43–18–4 lead in the series.

### Georgia Tech

Clemson's rivalry with Georgia Tech dates to 1898 with the first game being played in Augusta, Georgia. Notably, both programs share the privilege of having John Heisman as a former coach. It was played in Atlanta for 44 of the first 47 match-ups, until Georgia Tech joined the ACC. When the Yellowjackets joined the ACC in 1978, the series moved to a more traditional home-and-home setup beginning with the 1983 game. When the ACC expanded to 12 teams and split into two divisions in 2005, Clemson and Georgia Tech were placed in opposite divisions but were designated permanent cross-divisional rivals so that the series may continue uninterrupted. In the new system without divisions, they remain as such. The two schools are 127 miles apart and connected to each other by Interstate 85. This distance is slightly closer than that between Clemson and traditional rival South Carolina (137 miles). Georgia Tech leads the series 50–35–2 with Clemson winning the last 8 in a row.

### NC State

The yearly conference and divisional match-up with NC State is known as the Textile Bowl for the schools' similar missions in research and development for the textile industry in the Carolinas. The first meeting of the two schools occurred in 1899. Clemson has won 18 out of 23 contests since 2000. It is a particularly bitter rivalry amongst fans and students of both schools, even though it is not as competitive as the vitriol would suggest. Clemson holds a 60–30–1 series advantage through the 2023 season. NC State has won 2 out of the last 3 games in the rivalry.

### South Carolina

The Clemson–South Carolina rivalry, which dates back to 1896, is the largest annual sporting event in terms of ticket sales in the state of South Carolina. From 1896 to 1959, the Clemson–South Carolina game was played on the fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina and was referred to as "Big Thursday." Beginning in 1960, an alternating-site format was implemented using both teams' home stadiums. The annual game has since been designated "The Palmetto Bowl." The last eight contests between the programs have been nationally televised (4 on ESPN, 4 on ESPN2). Clemson holds a commanding 73–43-4 lead in the series through the 2022 season. It is often considered one of the most heated rivalries in all of college football, on a similar level to the Auburn-Alabama and Ohio State-Michigan rivalries, respectively.

## Individual award winners
### College Football Hall of Fame inductees

In 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Indiana. Clemson has had 3 players and 4 former coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame.
| Name | Years | Position | Inducted |
| John Heisman | 1900–1903 | Head coach | 1954 |
| Banks McFadden | 1937–1939 | RB | 1959 |
| Jess Neely | 1931–1939 | Head coach | 1971 |
| Frank Howard | 1940–1969 | Head coach | 1989 |
| Terry Kinard | 1978–1982 | S | 2001 |
| Jeff Davis | 1978–1981 | LB | 2007 |
| Danny Ford | 1978–1989 | Head coach | 2017 |
| C. J. Spiller | 2006–2009 | Running back | 2021 |

### Retired numbers

Clemson Tigers retired numbers :
| No. | Player | Pos. | Tenure | Year retired |
| 4 | Steve Fuller | 1975–1978 | QB | 1979 |
| 28 | C. J. Spiller | 2006–2009 | RB | 2010 |
| 66 | Banks McFadden | 1937–1939 | HB | 1987 |

#### Notes

* ↑ No. 4 was brought out of retirement in 2014 to be worn by quarterback Deshaun Watson.
* ↑ Number 28 was brought out of retirement in 2016 to be worn by running back Tavien Feaster, with Spiller's blessing.
* ↑ McFadden's has also his #23 retired in Clemson's basketball.

### Consensus All-Americans

The NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF) to determine if a player is regarded as a Consensus or Unanimous All-American. To be selected a Consensus All-American, a player must be chosen to the first team on at least three of the five official selectors as recognized by the NCAA. If a player is named an All-American by all five organizations, he is recognized as a Unanimous All-America. Clemson players have been honored 28 times as Consensus All-Americans, and 6 times as Unanimous All-Americas.
| Year(s) | Name | Number | Position |
| 1967 | Harry Olszewski | 51 | G |
| 1974 | Bennie Cunningham | 85 | TE |
| 1979 | Jim Stuckey | 83 | DL |
| 1981 | Jeff Davis | 45 | LB |
| 1981–1982† | Terry Kinard | 43 | DB |
| 1983 | William Perry | 66 | DL |
| 1986 | Terrence Flagler | 33 | RB |
| 1987 | David Treadwell | 18 | PK |
| 1988 | Donnell Woolford | 20 | DB |
| 1990 | Stacy Long | 67 | OL |
| 1991 | Jeb Flesch | 59 | OL |
| 1991 | Levon Kirkland | 44 | LB |
| 1993 | Stacy Seegars | 79 | OL |
| 1997 | Anthony Simmons | 41 | LB |
| 2000 | Keith Adams | 43 | LB |
| 2005 | Tye Hill | 8 | DB |
| 2006† | Gaines Adams | 93 | DL |
| 2009† | C. J. Spiller | 28 | KR/AP |
| 2010† | Da'Quan Bowers | 93 | DL |
| 2011 | Dwayne Allen | 83 | TE |
| 2013–2014 | Vic Beasley | 3 | DL |
| 2015 | Deshaun Watson | 4 | QB |
| 2015 | Shaq Lawson | 90 | DL |
| 2018 | Clelin Ferrell | 99 | DL |
| 2018 | Mitch Hyatt | 75 | OL |
| 2018† | Christian Wilkins | 42 | DL |
| 2019† | Isaiah Simmons | 11 | LB |
| 2019 | John Simpson | 74 | OL |
| 2020 | Travis Etienne | 9 | AP |
† Unanimous All-American

### Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary football team

On July 23, 2002, in celebration of the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary, a 120-member blue ribbon committee selected the Top 50 football players in ACC history. Clemson led all conference schools with the most players selected to the Golden Anniversary team. Each of Clemson's honorees are All-Americans and former NFL players. The nine selectees from Clemson are:
* Joe Bostic (1975–1978)
* Jerry Butler (1975–1978)
* Bennie Cunningham (1973–1975)
* Jeff Davis (1978–1981)
* Steve Fuller (1975–1978)
* Terry Kinard (1978–1982)
* Michael Dean Perry (1984–1987)
* William Perry (1981–1984)
* Anthony Simmons (1995–1997)

## NFL players

Source ESPN
* Davis Allen - TE, Los Angeles Rams No. 87
* Tremayne Anchrum - OG, Houston Texans No. 79
* Andrew Booth Jr. - CB, Dallas Cowboys No. 25
* Bryan Bresee - DT, New Orleans Saints No. 90
* Jackson Carman - OT, Miami Dolphins No. 76
* Tyler Davis - DT, Los Angeles Rams No. 90
* Travis Etienne – RB, Jacksonville Jaguars No. 1
* Clelin Ferrell – DE, Washington Commanders No. 99
* KJ Henry - DE, Philadelphia Eagles No. 50
* Tee Higgins – WR, Cincinnati Bengals No. 5
* DeAndre Hopkins – WR, Baltimore Ravens No.
* Grady Jarrett – DT, Chicago Bears No.
* Dexter Lawrence – DT, New York Giants No. 97
* Trevor Lawrence – QB, Jacksonville Jaguars No. 16
* Ray-Ray McCloud – WR, Atlanta Falcons No. 34
* Jordan McFadden - OT, Chicago Bears No. 71
* Trayvon Mullen – CB, Baltimore Ravens No. 30
* Myles Murphy - DE, Cincinnati Bengals No. 99
* Ruke Orhorhoro - DT, Atlanta Falcons No.98
* Bradley Pinion – P, Atlanta Falcons No. 13
* Will Putnam - C, Las Vegas Raiders No. 67
* D. J. Reader – DT, Detroit Lions No. 98
* Justyn Ross - WR, Kansas City Chiefs No. 82
* Will Shipley - RB, Philadelphia Eagles No. 28
* Isaiah Simmons – LB, New York Giants No. 19
* John Simpson – OG, New York Jets No. 76
* Trenton Simpson - LB, Baltimore Ravens No. 23
* Baylon Spector - LB, Buffalo Bills No. 54
* A. J. Terrell – CB, Atlanta Falcons No. 24
* Xavier Thomas - DE, Arizona Cardinals No. 54
* Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - LB, Philadelphia Eagles No. 54
* K'Von Wallace – S, Seattle Seahawks No. 24
* Carlos Watkins - DE, Dallas Cowboys No. 92
* Deshaun Watson – QB, Cleveland Browns No. 4
* Nate Wiggins - CB, Baltimore Ravens No. 2
* Christian Wilkins – DT, Las Vegas Raiders No. 94
* DeShawn Williams - DT, Carolina Panthers No. 75
* Mike Williams – WR, Los Angeles Chargers No.

## All-time record vs. current ACC teams

| Opponent | Won | Lost | Tied | Percentage | Streak | First meeting | Last meeting |
| Boston College | 21 | 9 | 2 | .688 | Won 11 | 1940 | 2022 |
| California | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | Lost 1 | 1991 | 1991 |
| Duke | 37 | 17 | 1 | .682 | Lost 1 | 1934 | 2023 |
| Florida State | 16 | 21 | 0 | .432 | Won 1 | 1970 | 2024 |
| Georgia Tech | 36 | 50 | 2 | .420 | Won 9 | 1898 | 2023 |
| Louisville | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 | Lost 1 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Miami | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | Lost 1 | 1945 | 2023 |
| North Carolina | 40 | 19 | 1 | .675 | Won 6 | 1897 | 2023 |
| NC State | 61 | 30 | 1 | .668 | Won 1 | 1899 | 2024 |
| Notre Dame | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | Won 1 | 1977 | 2023 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 3 | 0 | .400 | Won 1 | 1977 | 2024 |
| SMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Stanford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 2 | 1986 | 2024 |
| Syracuse | 10 | 2 | 0 | .833 | Won 6 | 1995 | 2023 |
| Virginia | 41 | 8 | 1 | .830 | Won 5 | 1955 | 2024 |
| Virginia Tech | 24 | 12 | 1 | .653 | Won 7 | 1900 | 2024 |
| Wake Forest | 72 | 17 | 1 | .806 | Won 16 | 1933 | 2024 |
| Totals | 371 | 197 | 10 | .651 | | | |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC temporarily added Notre Dame as a member for just the 2020 season. Wins and losses to Notre Dame in 2020 count toward standings and all-time records.

## Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 3, 2023.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
| vs LSU | at LSU | vs Wofford | vs Troy | vs Georgia | at Georgia |
| vs Troy | vs Georgia Southern | at South Carolina | vs South Carolina | at South Carolina | vs South Carolina |
| vs Furman | vs Charleston Southern | vs Notre Dame | at Notre Dame | | |
| at South Carolina | vs South Carolina | | vs The Citadel | | |
| 2031 | 2032 | 2033 | 2034 | 2035 | 2036 | 2037 |
| vs Notre Dame | at Georgia | vs Georgia | vs South Carolina | vs Oklahoma | at Oklahoma | at South Carolina |
| at South Carolina | vs South Carolina | at South Carolina | at Notre Dame | at South Carolina | vs South Carolina | vs Notre Dame |

## Clemson vs. in-state NCAA Division I teams

| School | Record | Percentage | Streak | First meeting | Last meeting |
| Coastal Carolina Chanticleers | 1–0 | 1.000 | Won 1 | 2009 | 2009 |
| Furman Paladins | 44–10–4 | .793 | Won 31 | 1896 | 2022 |
| Presbyterian Blue Hose | 33–3–4 | .875 | Won 15 | 1916 | 2010 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | 73–43–4 | .630 | Won 1 | 1896 | 2023 |
| South Carolina State Bulldogs | 5–0 | 1.000 | Won 5 | 2008 | 2021 |
| The Citadel Bulldogs | 33–5–1 | .859 | Won 18 | 1909 | 2020 |
| Wofford Terriers | 13–3 | .813 | Won 6 | 1896 | 2019 |

## Recruiting

Clemson Tigers Football Rivals.com team recruitment rankings under head coach Dabo Swinney:
| Year | National rank | Commits |
| 2024 | 10th | 22 |
| 2023 | 10th | 22 |
| 2023 | 10th | 26 |
| 2022 | 10th | 20 |
| 2021 | 6th | 19 |
| 2020 | 2nd | 23 |
| 2019 | 9th | 28 |
| 2018 | 8th | 17 |
| 2017 | 22nd | 14 |
| 2016 | 6th | 22 |
| 2015 | 4th | 25 |
| 2014 | 13th | 22 |
| 2013 | 14th | 23 |
| 2012 | 14th | 20 |
| 2011 | 8th | 29 |
| 2010 | 19th | 24 |
| 2009 | 37th | 12 |