Georgia Opponents at a Glance: Clemson Tigers

We’re still a ways away from the start of Georgia’s football season this fall, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead at the Bulldogs’ opponents. Expected to enter the season at No. 1 in the nation, Kirby Smart’s squad takes on a tough schedule in 2024. UGA opens with Clemson in Atlanta and plays a beefed-up eight-game SEC slate that features Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss – three likely top-10 teams – all on the road. Add in games against Kentucky, Auburn, Mississippi State, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia Tech and the only thing holding Georgia back from having the toughest schedule in the country is the inability to play itself!

Today, we start up the DawgsHQ Opponents at a Glance series, taking a look at the offseason additions, departures and storylines of the teams Georgia plays this season. First up, the Clemson Tigers – set to square off against the Bulldogs in their own backyard of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on August 31st.

Clemson Tigers

Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (16th season)
Offensive Coordinator: Garrett Riley (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Wes Goodwin (3rd season)
2023 Record: 9-4 (4-4 ACC, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl win vs. Kentucky)

NFL Draft: 6 players draft (DB Nate Wiggins – first round, DL Ruke Orhorhoro – second round, RB Will Shipley – fourth round, DL Xavier Thomas – fifth round, LB Jeremiah Trotter – fifth round, DL Tyler Davis – sixth round), 3 undrafted free agents (OL Will Putnam , DB Sheridan Jones , DB Jayln Phillips )

Transfer Portal: 12 players transfer out (Notables: WR Beaux Collins – second leading receiver, DB Andrew Mukuba – third leading tackler, DB Toriano Pride – top-100 prospect in Class of 2022)

Recruiting Recap: No. 14 in nation for Class of 2024 – top signee: five-star LB Sammy Brown – five top-100 players (Brown, WR TJ Moore , WR Bryant Wesco , TE Christian Bentancur , CB Corian Gipson ) Recent Results: No. 11 (2023), No. 14 (2022), No. 5 (2021)

Offensive Overview

Taking a look at the Clemson offense, it’s easy to understand why the expectation is for improvement. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is back for a second season as the starter. He’s got another year to work with the innovative Garrett Riley as his offensive coordinator and around him are the team’s top rusher, top receiver and three of the remaining four from Clemson’s top five pass catchers.

There were times Klubnik struggled last season. Look no further than his two interceptions in Clemson’s second straight loss, and fourth of the season, to NC State. He also had a stinker in the win over South Carolina, just barely hitting the 100-yard mark without a touchdown. Then, in the bowl game, there was another no-touchdown day.

However, for the former five-star product, another year in Riley’s system should allow his to build on the good things he did – throwing for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns on 63.9% passing. His leading receiver Tyler Brown , a freshman last season, can be expected to take strides forward too while Jake Briningstool , Troy Stellato and Adam Randall return, combining for 162 receptions, 1,600 yards and 12 of the Tigers’ 20 passing touchdowns between the four of them.

Replacing Will Shipley at running back won’t be easy. The dynamic player once ranked in the nation’s top 50 as a recruit totaled 1,071 yards of offense and seven touchdowns. Surprisingly, Shipley wasn’t the top running back last season in terms of attempts, yards or touchdowns, watching as Phil Mafah took control of the position. Mafah would rush 179 times for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 108 yards on 21 catches out of the backfield too. Mafah returns for his senior season as the obvious No. 1 option in the backfield.

We can’t forget about the big boys up front where Clemson must replace two-time All-ACC center Will Putnam . Coached by new assistant Matt Luke, plenty familiar with Georgia from his two seasons with the Bulldogs, Clemson is hoping to improve upon a bowl game showing in which it allowed eight sacks to Kentucky.

Defensive Overview

There’s a lot less continuity for Clemson on the defensive side of the ball. Of the Tigers’ six draft picks, five were from defense. Two more signed as undrafted free agents and multiple expected contributors transferred out. First round cornerback Nate Wiggins , the team’s leading tackler Jeremiah Trotter and a trio of defensive linemen ( Ruke Orhorhoro , Xavier Thomas , Tyler Davis ) must be replaced.

Getting Barrett Carter back at linebacker is big. The same goes for RJ Mickens and Khalil Barnes in the secondary. Carter, a former five-star and a native of the Atlanta area, finished second on the team in tackles (62) and third in tackles for loss (9.5). Meanwhile, Mickens and Barnes finished fourth and fifth on the team in tackles with a combined 80 stops at the safety position.

Combine the veteran experience of guys like Carter (senior), Mickens (super-senior) and junior linebacker Wade Woodaz with the expected steps forward for last year’s true freshmen Barnes and TJ Parker , the team leader in sacks with 5.5, and Clemson’s defense should be just fine. However, the names aren’t quite going to be as well known as they have been in the past – especially when they take the field against Georgia in the season-opener.

The post Georgia Opponents at a Glance: Clemson Tigers appeared first on On3 .