Clemson Football Ranks 10th in ACC for 2026 Returning Production

Tigers look to bounce back after disappointing 2025 season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant shades of orange, purple, and white, depicting a Clemson football game or practice broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Clemson's 2026 season will test the program's ability to reload after a disappointing 2025 campaign.Today in Pittsburgh

ESPN's Bill Connelly recently ranked all 138 FBS teams by returning production for the 2026 season. Clemson came in at No. 59 nationally with a net production value of 53%, placing them 10th in the ACC. The Tigers' defense ranked 26th nationally in returning players, while the offense ranked 94th.

Why it matters

After a surprising 7-5 season in 2025, Clemson is looking to rebound and regain its status as an ACC powerhouse. The Tigers' returning production numbers will be a key factor in determining their ability to bounce back and compete for a conference title in 2026.

The details

Clemson lost several key contributors from last season, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, receiver Antonio Williams, and running back Adam Randall. However, the Tigers do return leading receiver T.J. Moore and former five-star recruit Bryant Wesco. On defense, linebacker Sammy Brown and defensive end Will Heldt are back after strong 2025 campaigns.

  • Clemson finished the 2025 season with a 7-5 record.
  • ESPN's Bill Connelly recently released his 2026 returning production rankings.

The players

Dabo Swinney

Clemson's head coach, who took responsibility for the team's disappointing 2025 season.

Sammy Brown

Clemson linebacker who led the team in tackles (106 total, 51 solo) in 2025.

Will Heldt

Clemson defensive end who transferred from Purdue and led the team with 7.5 sacks in 2025.

T.J. Moore

Clemson's leading receiver in 2025 with 52 catches for 837 yards.

Bryant Wesco

Former five-star recruit who had 31 catches for 537 yards in six games for Clemson in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“A year ago, the Clemson Tigers led the nation in returning production entering the 2025 college football season. Fat lot of good it did the Tigers, who stumbled from a No. 4 preseason ranking to a 7-5 regular season that saw their national title expectations go up in smoke before the end of September.”

— Bill Connelly, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

Clemson will look to bounce back in 2026 with a roster that, while not as experienced as last year, still has several key contributors returning. The Tigers' schedule includes tough matchups against LSU, California, Miami, and Florida State.

The takeaway

Clemson's 2026 season will be a true test of the program's ability to reload and recover from a disappointing 2025 campaign. The Tigers' returning production numbers suggest they have work to do, but the potential is there for a bounce-back year if the right pieces fall into place.