The Clemson Tigers have lost four games in each of the last two seasons. They lost three games in the two years prior and seven total across six seasons from 2015 to 2020.
Clemson will enter October at 1-3.
With one of the most talented rosters in the country, the Tigers are the sport's biggest disappointment. It's the type of collapse that threatens Clemson's ACC dynasty and could have consequences for the 2026 NFL Draft. The Tigers entered the year with four first-round prospects with top-10 aspirations. How are their stocks holding up amid Clemson's struggles?
Cade Klubnik, Quarterback
Arrow pointing: Down
Klubnik began the year as my QB2, the 11th player on my board with a true first-round grade. It's much harder to stand by that after four weeks of action. Klubnik is far from Clemson's biggest problem, but his production has taken a hit.
Klubnik's completion percentage, touchdown percentage, interception percentage, and yards per attempt are trending in the wrong direction. He's yet to make some of the throws that earned him NFL hype last season, nor has he answered the necessary questions under pressure.
There is too much physical talent to completely overlook, and Klubnik's blend of above-average arm talent and athleticism buoy his floor. Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, and a handful of other passers could push him into Day 2 (or at least later in Round 1), but I'm not hitting the panic button. It's harder to project him as a plus passer at the next level given his lack of flashes out of structure, and a string of early-season disappointments has dampened optimism. Still, this is more of a step back to 2023 than a fall off the early-round radar.
T.J. Parker, Edge Rusher
Arrow pointing: Neutral
Parker began the season as the consensus top edge rusher in the class. His speed-to-power and run defense are worthy of first-round hype. Still, the Tigers' defense has had a handful of woeful moments against lesser competition. Parker has played well but shares in that criticism.
The biggest factor impacting Parker's stock, though, is the other edge rushers jostling for Day 1 positioning. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. has been one of the best players in college football, and Auburn's Keldric Faulk offers a more complete profile. Both should be taken ahead of Parker in April, inherently pushing him down the board.
MORE: Keldric Faulk 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Auburn's ace could be EDGE1
Still, Parker hasn't taken some insane leap. He hasn't taken as big a step back as his defensive peers, either. Until he shows out against NFL-level offensive tackles, he won't emerge as a blue-chip prospect, and the Tigers stumbling out of College Football Playoff competition could rob him of that opportunity. The Clemson faithful need not panic about Parker, but the likelihood of him being a top-10 pick has certainly taken a hit.
Peter Woods, Defensive Tackle
Arrow pointing: Down
Woods was the top player on my preseason board. As an excellent run defender with upside on passing downs, the ingredients for a Quinnen Williams-like rise were present.
Simply put, that hasn't come to fruition in 2025. Most notably, Woods has taken a step back as a pass rusher. In 2024, Woods posted a 14% pass rush win rate (PFF). That mark has dipped to 7.8%, and he's generated just three pressures in the early going.
There's plenty of time for Woods to ramp up the production and continue to improve on the traits that made him look special ahead of the season. He remains the top defensive tackle in the class, too. However, what once looked like an iron-clad case for a top-10 selection has been thrust into uncertainty.
Avieon Terrell, Cornerback
Arrow pointing: Up
Call it a victory lap or a brazen act of confirmation bias: Terrell looks like one of the best corners in the nation, and after a month of action, he is playing well enough to approach my early-season board ranking (No. 7), rather than falling out of Round 1.
Terrell has been incredible as a blitzer, adding credibility to the notion that he has inside versatility, even if he hasn't taken many reps in the slot at Clemson. His physical run defense adds to that equation. Terrell is making plays on the ball, like his forced fumble against LSU, and while he hasn't landed an interception this season, his processing and coverage technique render that a non-concern.
Terrell is smart, athletic, and physical. As the Tigers fall out of contention, Terrell is one of the few Clemson prospects with a better standing now than before the season.
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