2021 Clemson Tigers football | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Cheez-It Bowl champion | |
Cheez-It Bowl, W 20–13 vs.
Iowa State | |
Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
Atlantic Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 16 |
AP | No. 14 |
Record | 10–3 (6–2 ACC) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive coordinator | Tony Elliott (7th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Brent Venables (10th season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Memorial Stadium |
Uniform | |
![]() | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 15 Wake Forest xy | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 20 NC State | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 14 Clemson | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida State | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Syracuse | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boston College | 2 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 13 Pittsburgh xy$ | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami (FL) | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia Tech | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duke | 0 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Pittsburgh 45, Wake Forest 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2021 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 14th year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
For the first time since 2014, Clemson did not reach the ACC Championship Game or the College Football Playoff. This season ended the team's streak of six consecutive conference championships, the longest in FBS as of the 2021 season.
The Tigers ended the season with a victory over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Clemson's 2021 class consisted of nineteen signees. [1] The class was ranked first in the ACC and fifth best overall by the 247Sports Composite. [2]
US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Jake Briningstool TE |
Brentwood, Tennessee | Ravenwood High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jan 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Barrett Carter LB |
Suwanee, Georgia | North Gwinnett High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | May 19, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bubba Chandler QB |
Bogart, Georgia | North Oconee High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 20, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Beaux Collins WR |
Bellflower, California | St. John Bosco High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Jan 25, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Dacari Collins WR |
Atlanta, Georgia | Westlake High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Sep 7, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Cade Denhoff DE |
Lakeland, Florida | Lakeland Christian School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Jan 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tristan Leigh OT |
Fairfax, Virginia | Robinson Secondary School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Jan 2, 2021 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Ryan Linthicum C |
Damascus, Maryland | Damascus High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Sep 23, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Phil Mafah RB |
Loganville, Georgia | Grayson High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Aug 29, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Andrew Mukuba S |
Austin, Texas | LBJ High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Oct 1, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Payton Page DT |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Dudley High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 360 lb (160 kg) | Jul 28, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Zaire Patterson DE |
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Winston-Salem Prep | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | May 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Dietrick Pennington OG |
Cordova, Tennessee | Evangelical Christian School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Jul 29, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Will Shipley RB |
Matthews, North Carolina | Weddington High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 5, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Troy Stellato WR |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Cardinal Gibbons High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jun 5, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Marcus Tate OT |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | NSU University School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 325 lb (147 kg) | Sep 24, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Will Taylor ATH |
Irmo, South Carolina | Dutch Fork High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Sep 30, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | St. Joseph's Prep | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Sep 7, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Nate Wiggins CB |
Atlanta, Georgia | Westlake High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Dec 12, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 7 247Sports: 5 ESPN: 4 | ||||||
Sources:
|
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
1 | 25 | Travis Etienne | RB | |
2 | 46 | Jackson Carman | OT | Cincinnati Bengals |
3 | 85 | Amari Rodgers | WR | Green Bay Packers |
5 | 181 | Cornell Powell | Kansas City Chiefs |
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Derion Kendrick | 1 | CB | 6'0" | 190 | Junior | Rock Hill, SC | Georgia | [3] [4] |
DeMarkcus Bowman | 1 | RB | 5'10" | 190 | Freshman | Lakeland, FL | Florida | [5] [6] |
Mike Jones Jr. | 6 | LB | 6'0" | 200 |
![]() |
Lebanon, TN | LSU | [7] [8] |
Michel Dukes | 19 | RB | 5'10" | 205 | Junior | Charleston, SC | South Florida | [9] [10] |
LeAnthony Williams Jr. | 20 | CB | 5'11" | 185 |
![]() |
Roswell, GA | Marshall | [11] [12] |
Chez Mellusi | 27 | RB | 5'11" | 200 | Junior | Naples, FL | Wisconsin | [13] [14] |
Nyles Pinckney | 44 | DT | 6'1" | 300 |
![]() |
Seabrook, SC | Minnesota | [15] [16] |
Kaleb Boateng | 50 | OL | 6'4" | 315 |
![]() |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Florida | [17] [18] |
Jordan Williams | 59 | DT | 6'4" | 310 |
![]() |
Virginia Beach, VA | Virginia Tech | [19] [20] |
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Ladson Jr. | 2 | WR | 6'3" | 205 | Junior | Miami, FL | Miami (FL) | [21] [22] |
Taisun Phommachanh | 7 | QB | 6'3" | 220 |
![]() |
Bridgeport, CT | Georgia Tech | [23] [24] |
Ajou Ajou | 11 | WR | 6'3" | 215 | Sophomore | Alberta, Canada | South Florida | [25] [26] |
Ray Thornton III | 16 | DB | 6'1" | 205 |
![]() |
Phenix City, AL | [27] [28] | |
Kane Patterson | 17 | LB | 6'1" | 225 | Junior | Brentwood, TN | Vanderbilt | [29] [30] |
Joseph Charleston | 18 | S | 6'0" | 190 | Junior | Milton, GA | Missouri | [31] [32] |
Lyn-J Dixon | 23 | RB | 5'10" | 195 | Senior | Butler, GA | West Virginia | [33] [34] |
Paul Tchio | 57 | OL | 6'5" | 300 | Sophomore | Milton, GA | Georgia Tech | [35] [36] |
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy [37] | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | JR |
Nolan Turner | S | SR | |
Maxwell Award [38] | DJ Uiagalelei | QB | SO |
Justyn Ross | WR | JR | |
Bednarik Award [38] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Davey O'Brien Award [39] | DJ Uiagalelei | QB | SO |
Doak Walker Award [40] | Lyn-J Dixon | RB | SR |
Biletnikoff Award [41] | Justyn Ross | WR | JR |
Butkus Award [42] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Baylon Spector | LB | SR | |
Jim Thorpe Award [43] | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | JR |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy [44] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Myles Murphy | DT | SO | |
James Skalski | LB | SR | |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Outland Trophy [44] [45] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Tyler Davis | DT | JR | |
Jordan McFadden | OT | JR | |
Ray Guy Award [46] | Will Spiers | P | GS |
Lou Groza Award [46] | B. T. Potter | PK | SR |
Walter Camp Award [47] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Justyn Ross | WR | JR |
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. No. 5 Georgia* | No. 3 | ABC | L 3–10 | 74,187 | |
September 11 | 5:00 p.m. | South Carolina State* | No. 6 | ACCN | W 49–3 | 78,609 | |
September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Georgia Tech | No. 6 |
| ABC | W 14–8 | 81,500 |
September 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at NC State | No. 9 | ESPN | L 21–27 2OT | 56,919 | |
October 2 | 7:30 p.m. |
Boston College![]() | No. 25 |
| ACCN | W 19–13 | 79,159 |
October 15 | 7:00 p.m. | at Syracuse | ESPN | W 17–14 | 36,670 | ||
October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 23 Pittsburgh | ESPN | L 17–27 | 60,594 | ||
October 30 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida State |
| ESPN | W 30–20 | 79,097 | |
November 6 | 7:30 p.m. | at Louisville | ACCN | W 30–24 | 51,729 | ||
November 13 | 12:00 p.m. | UConn* |
| ACCN | W 44–7 | 77,522 | |
November 20 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 10 Wake Forest |
| ESPN | W 48–27 | 81,048 | |
November 27 | 7:30 p.m. | at South Carolina* | No. 23 | SECN | W 30–0 | 79,897 | |
December 29 | 5:45 p.m. | vs. Iowa State* | No. 19 | ESPN | W 20–13 | 39,051 | |
|
Week | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | 3 (6) | 6 | 6 | 9 | 25 | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | RV | 22 | 19 | 14 |
Coaches | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 24 | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 22 | 16 |
CFP | Not released | — | — | — | 23 | 20 | 19 | Not released |
Name | Position | Alma mater | Years at Clemson |
---|---|---|---|
Dabo Swinney | Head coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 14th |
Brent Venables | Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach | Kansas State University (1992) | 9th |
Tony Elliott | Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/tight ends coach | Clemson University (2002) | 6th |
Mickey Conn | Assistant coach/Special teams coordinator/safeties coach | University of Alabama (1995) | 6th |
Brandon Streeter | Assistant coach/passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach | Clemson University (1999) | 7th |
Todd Bates | Assistant coach/recruiting coordinator/defensive tackles coach | University of Alabama (2004) | 4th |
Robbie Caldwell | Assistant coach/offensive linemen coach | Furman University (1977) | 10th |
Tyler Grisham | Assistant coach/wide receivers coach | Clemson University (2009) | 2nd |
Lemanski Hall | Assistant coach/defensive ends coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 4th |
Mike Reed | Assistant coach/cornerbacks coach | Boston College (1994) | 8th |
C. J. Spiller | Assistant coach/running backs coach | Clemson University (2009) | 1st |
2021 Clemson Tigers Football | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Placekicker
|
Offensive lineman
Defensive lineman
Punter |
Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snappers |
Source: [50]
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 5 Georgia | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
No. 3 Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Carolina State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
No. 6 Clemson | 28 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 49 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Tech | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
No. 6 Clemson | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 9 Clemson | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
NC State | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston College | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
No. 25 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Syracuse | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
No. 23 Pittsburgh | 0 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 27 |
at Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida State | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Clemson | 3 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 7 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
Louisville | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UConn | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Clemson | 10 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 44 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Wake Forest | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
Clemson | 10 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 48 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 23 Clemson | 10 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
South Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 19 Clemson | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
Iowa State | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
at Camping World Stadium • Orlando, Florida
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Player | Position | Team |
---|---|---|
Tyler Davis | DT | First Team |
James Skalski | LB | |
Mario Goodrich | CB | |
Andrew Booth Jr. | ||
Jordan McFadden | OT | Second Team |
Myles Murphy | DE | |
B. T. Potter | PK | |
Xavier Thomas | DE | Third Team |
Bryan Bresee | DT | |
Andrew Mukuba | S | |
Davis Allen | TE | Honorable Mention |
Will Shipley | AP | |
Will Putnam | OG | |
Baylon Spector | LB | |
Nolan Turner | S | |
Will Spiers | P | |
Source: [77] |
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 42 | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Minnesota Vikings |
7 | 231 | Baylon Spector | LB | Buffalo Bills |
2021 Clemson Tigers football | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Cheez-It Bowl champion | |
Cheez-It Bowl, W 20–13 vs.
Iowa State | |
Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
Atlantic Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 16 |
AP | No. 14 |
Record | 10–3 (6–2 ACC) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive coordinator | Tony Elliott (7th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Brent Venables (10th season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Memorial Stadium |
Uniform | |
![]() | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 15 Wake Forest xy | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 20 NC State | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 14 Clemson | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida State | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Syracuse | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boston College | 2 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 13 Pittsburgh xy$ | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami (FL) | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia Tech | 4 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duke | 0 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Pittsburgh 45, Wake Forest 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2021 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 14th year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
For the first time since 2014, Clemson did not reach the ACC Championship Game or the College Football Playoff. This season ended the team's streak of six consecutive conference championships, the longest in FBS as of the 2021 season.
The Tigers ended the season with a victory over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Clemson's 2021 class consisted of nineteen signees. [1] The class was ranked first in the ACC and fifth best overall by the 247Sports Composite. [2]
US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Jake Briningstool TE |
Brentwood, Tennessee | Ravenwood High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jan 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Barrett Carter LB |
Suwanee, Georgia | North Gwinnett High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | May 19, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Bubba Chandler QB |
Bogart, Georgia | North Oconee High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | May 20, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Beaux Collins WR |
Bellflower, California | St. John Bosco High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Jan 25, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Dacari Collins WR |
Atlanta, Georgia | Westlake High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Sep 7, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Cade Denhoff DE |
Lakeland, Florida | Lakeland Christian School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Jan 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Tristan Leigh OT |
Fairfax, Virginia | Robinson Secondary School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Jan 2, 2021 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Ryan Linthicum C |
Damascus, Maryland | Damascus High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Sep 23, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Phil Mafah RB |
Loganville, Georgia | Grayson High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Aug 29, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Andrew Mukuba S |
Austin, Texas | LBJ High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Oct 1, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Payton Page DT |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Dudley High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 360 lb (160 kg) | Jul 28, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Zaire Patterson DE |
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Winston-Salem Prep | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | May 26, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Dietrick Pennington OG |
Cordova, Tennessee | Evangelical Christian School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Jul 29, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Will Shipley RB |
Matthews, North Carolina | Weddington High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 5, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Troy Stellato WR |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Cardinal Gibbons High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jun 5, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Marcus Tate OT |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | NSU University School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 325 lb (147 kg) | Sep 24, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Will Taylor ATH |
Irmo, South Carolina | Dutch Fork High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Sep 30, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | St. Joseph's Prep | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Sep 7, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Nate Wiggins CB |
Atlanta, Georgia | Westlake High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Dec 12, 2020 | |
Recruiting star ratings:
Scout: N/A
Rivals:
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Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 7 247Sports: 5 ESPN: 4 | ||||||
Sources:
|
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
1 | 25 | Travis Etienne | RB | |
2 | 46 | Jackson Carman | OT | Cincinnati Bengals |
3 | 85 | Amari Rodgers | WR | Green Bay Packers |
5 | 181 | Cornell Powell | Kansas City Chiefs |
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Derion Kendrick | 1 | CB | 6'0" | 190 | Junior | Rock Hill, SC | Georgia | [3] [4] |
DeMarkcus Bowman | 1 | RB | 5'10" | 190 | Freshman | Lakeland, FL | Florida | [5] [6] |
Mike Jones Jr. | 6 | LB | 6'0" | 200 |
![]() |
Lebanon, TN | LSU | [7] [8] |
Michel Dukes | 19 | RB | 5'10" | 205 | Junior | Charleston, SC | South Florida | [9] [10] |
LeAnthony Williams Jr. | 20 | CB | 5'11" | 185 |
![]() |
Roswell, GA | Marshall | [11] [12] |
Chez Mellusi | 27 | RB | 5'11" | 200 | Junior | Naples, FL | Wisconsin | [13] [14] |
Nyles Pinckney | 44 | DT | 6'1" | 300 |
![]() |
Seabrook, SC | Minnesota | [15] [16] |
Kaleb Boateng | 50 | OL | 6'4" | 315 |
![]() |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Florida | [17] [18] |
Jordan Williams | 59 | DT | 6'4" | 310 |
![]() |
Virginia Beach, VA | Virginia Tech | [19] [20] |
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | College transferred to | Source(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Ladson Jr. | 2 | WR | 6'3" | 205 | Junior | Miami, FL | Miami (FL) | [21] [22] |
Taisun Phommachanh | 7 | QB | 6'3" | 220 |
![]() |
Bridgeport, CT | Georgia Tech | [23] [24] |
Ajou Ajou | 11 | WR | 6'3" | 215 | Sophomore | Alberta, Canada | South Florida | [25] [26] |
Ray Thornton III | 16 | DB | 6'1" | 205 |
![]() |
Phenix City, AL | [27] [28] | |
Kane Patterson | 17 | LB | 6'1" | 225 | Junior | Brentwood, TN | Vanderbilt | [29] [30] |
Joseph Charleston | 18 | S | 6'0" | 190 | Junior | Milton, GA | Missouri | [31] [32] |
Lyn-J Dixon | 23 | RB | 5'10" | 195 | Senior | Butler, GA | West Virginia | [33] [34] |
Paul Tchio | 57 | OL | 6'5" | 300 | Sophomore | Milton, GA | Georgia Tech | [35] [36] |
Listed in the order that they were released
Award | Player | Position | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy [37] | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | JR |
Nolan Turner | S | SR | |
Maxwell Award [38] | DJ Uiagalelei | QB | SO |
Justyn Ross | WR | JR | |
Bednarik Award [38] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Davey O'Brien Award [39] | DJ Uiagalelei | QB | SO |
Doak Walker Award [40] | Lyn-J Dixon | RB | SR |
Biletnikoff Award [41] | Justyn Ross | WR | JR |
Butkus Award [42] | James Skalski | LB | SR |
Baylon Spector | LB | SR | |
Jim Thorpe Award [43] | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | JR |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Bronko Nagurski Trophy [44] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Myles Murphy | DT | SO | |
James Skalski | LB | SR | |
Nolan Tuner | S | SR | |
Outland Trophy [44] [45] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Tyler Davis | DT | JR | |
Jordan McFadden | OT | JR | |
Ray Guy Award [46] | Will Spiers | P | GS |
Lou Groza Award [46] | B. T. Potter | PK | SR |
Walter Camp Award [47] | Bryan Bresee | DT | SO |
Justyn Ross | WR | JR |
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. No. 5 Georgia* | No. 3 | ABC | L 3–10 | 74,187 | |
September 11 | 5:00 p.m. | South Carolina State* | No. 6 | ACCN | W 49–3 | 78,609 | |
September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Georgia Tech | No. 6 |
| ABC | W 14–8 | 81,500 |
September 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at NC State | No. 9 | ESPN | L 21–27 2OT | 56,919 | |
October 2 | 7:30 p.m. |
Boston College![]() | No. 25 |
| ACCN | W 19–13 | 79,159 |
October 15 | 7:00 p.m. | at Syracuse | ESPN | W 17–14 | 36,670 | ||
October 23 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 23 Pittsburgh | ESPN | L 17–27 | 60,594 | ||
October 30 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida State |
| ESPN | W 30–20 | 79,097 | |
November 6 | 7:30 p.m. | at Louisville | ACCN | W 30–24 | 51,729 | ||
November 13 | 12:00 p.m. | UConn* |
| ACCN | W 44–7 | 77,522 | |
November 20 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 10 Wake Forest |
| ESPN | W 48–27 | 81,048 | |
November 27 | 7:30 p.m. | at South Carolina* | No. 23 | SECN | W 30–0 | 79,897 | |
December 29 | 5:45 p.m. | vs. Iowa State* | No. 19 | ESPN | W 20–13 | 39,051 | |
|
Week | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
AP | 3 (6) | 6 | 6 | 9 | 25 | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | RV | 22 | 19 | 14 |
Coaches | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 24 | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 22 | 16 |
CFP | Not released | — | — | — | 23 | 20 | 19 | Not released |
Name | Position | Alma mater | Years at Clemson |
---|---|---|---|
Dabo Swinney | Head coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 14th |
Brent Venables | Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach | Kansas State University (1992) | 9th |
Tony Elliott | Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/tight ends coach | Clemson University (2002) | 6th |
Mickey Conn | Assistant coach/Special teams coordinator/safeties coach | University of Alabama (1995) | 6th |
Brandon Streeter | Assistant coach/passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach | Clemson University (1999) | 7th |
Todd Bates | Assistant coach/recruiting coordinator/defensive tackles coach | University of Alabama (2004) | 4th |
Robbie Caldwell | Assistant coach/offensive linemen coach | Furman University (1977) | 10th |
Tyler Grisham | Assistant coach/wide receivers coach | Clemson University (2009) | 2nd |
Lemanski Hall | Assistant coach/defensive ends coach | University of Alabama (1993) | 4th |
Mike Reed | Assistant coach/cornerbacks coach | Boston College (1994) | 8th |
C. J. Spiller | Assistant coach/running backs coach | Clemson University (2009) | 1st |
2021 Clemson Tigers Football | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Placekicker
|
Offensive lineman
Defensive lineman
Punter |
Linebacker
Defensive back
Long snappers |
Source: [50]
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 5 Georgia | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
No. 3 Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Carolina State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
No. 6 Clemson | 28 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 49 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Tech | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
No. 6 Clemson | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 9 Clemson | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
NC State | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston College | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
No. 25 Clemson | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Syracuse | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
No. 23 Pittsburgh | 0 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 27 |
at Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida State | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Clemson | 3 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clemson | 7 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
Louisville | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UConn | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Clemson | 10 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 44 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Wake Forest | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
Clemson | 10 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 48 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 23 Clemson | 10 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
South Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 19 Clemson | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
Iowa State | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
at Camping World Stadium • Orlando, Florida
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Player | Position | Team |
---|---|---|
Tyler Davis | DT | First Team |
James Skalski | LB | |
Mario Goodrich | CB | |
Andrew Booth Jr. | ||
Jordan McFadden | OT | Second Team |
Myles Murphy | DE | |
B. T. Potter | PK | |
Xavier Thomas | DE | Third Team |
Bryan Bresee | DT | |
Andrew Mukuba | S | |
Davis Allen | TE | Honorable Mention |
Will Shipley | AP | |
Will Putnam | OG | |
Baylon Spector | LB | |
Nolan Turner | S | |
Will Spiers | P | |
Source: [77] |
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 42 | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Minnesota Vikings |
7 | 231 | Baylon Spector | LB | Buffalo Bills |