2017 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2017 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his ninth full year and tenth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley", and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Clemson won the ACC for the third consecutive season by beating Miami (FL) in the ACC Championship game, 38–3. They received their third straight bid to the College Football  Playoff, earning the number one seed. The Tigers fell to eventual national champion Alabama in the semifinal game played at the Sugar Bowl, 6–24. Previous season. The Tigers entered the 2017 season as defending national champions, having finished the 2016 season 14–1 with a 35–31 win over Alabama in the CFP National Championship game. Personnel. Coaching staff. Head coach Dabo Swinney added one new addition to the Tigers' coaching staff in January 2017, Todd Bates who was the defensive line coach at Jacksonville State University was hired after losing Dan Brooks to retirement and Marion Hobby signing with the Jacksonville  Jaguars. Mickey Conn was promoted from defensive analyst to co-defensive back coach. Schedule. Clemson announced their schedule for the 2017 season on January 24, 2017. The Tigers' schedule consisted of 7 home games and 5 away games. Clemson hosted conference opponents Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest, and traveled to Louisville, NC State, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. The Tigers hosted out of conference games against Kent State, Auburn, and The Citadel, and traveled to arch rival South Carolina to close out the regular season. Clemson's out of conference opponents represented the MAC, SoCon, and SEC . The Tigers played 10 total teams who played in the postseason in the 2016 season: 2 New Year's Six participants (Auburn and Florida State), 7 other bowl teams (Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, NC State, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech), and 1 FCS playoff participant (Citadel). Roster. Source: Transfers. Clemson lost 6 players due to transfer, Running back Tyshon Dye, Offensive Linemen Jake Fruhmorgen, Cornerback Adrian Baker, Defensive tackle Scott Pagano, Safety Korrin Wiggins and Defensive End LaSamuel Davis all announced they would transfer from the program. Awards and honors. All-ACC Teams. 1st Team Mitch Hyatt, Tackle  Justin Falcinelli, Center Tyrone Crowder, Guard Clelin Ferrell, Defensive End Christian Wilkins, Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawrence, Defensive Tackle 2nd Team Austin Bryant, Defensive End Dorian O'Daniel, Linebacker 3rd Team Travis Etienne, Running Back Hunter Renfrow, Wide Receiver Deon Cain, Wide Receiver Taylor Hearn, Guard Kendall Joseph, Linebacker