We are inching incredibly close to the start of the 2026 college football season.

For the LSU Tigers, there’s a lot of intrigue about what the first year under head coach Lane Kiffin can look like. Luckily for the fans out there, we’ll get an early taste of just how good this team could potentially be when LSU opens at home against the Clemson Tigers on Sept. 5.

While this Dabo Swinney team is not the best Clemson iteration we have seen over the last several years, there is still a lot of talent coming to Baton Rouge.

Over the last several days, I have done my best to talk to as many Clemson beat writers and sources around the program who have some understanding of what this team can accomplish this season. Here is what I have gathered about what the Tigers from the ACC bring to the table and the players you should be keeping a close eye on.

Clemson’s offense: Dynamic wide receivers and questions at quarterback

On offense, those around Clemson are extremely high on their wide receiver duo returning this season. That of course is Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore.

Moore, who stands at a shade over 6-foot-3 and right around 200 pounds, is more of the possession receiver with some underrated route-running ability. Wesco is the vertical, speedy receiver who has spent this offseason trying to put good weight on his frame. He measured in for scouts at only around 180 pounds in the spring, but that has been a big area of focus for him to improve his overall power profile and ability to play through contact.

If healthy (which was an issue for Wesco last season), this promises to be one of the dynamic duos of any wide receiver room in college football. The great part is that their styles are different, which could make for a big headache for opposing defenses.

There are a couple of youngsters to keep an eye on as well. A veteran like Tyler Brown is worthy of mention, but true freshman Naeem Burroughs is a guy getting a lot of talk this offseason and could potentially start in the slot. I’d also keep an eye on Connor Salmin. While I don’t expect Salmin to play a ton in 2026, he is arguably the fastest overall player on the Clemson team with a legit high school track and field background. Keep a close eye on No. 13 if he gets onto the field.

The biggest question surrounding this team is at quarterback, where redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina is set to be the starter. Clemson did eye some transfer portal options this offseason, but nothing came to fruition. From people I’ve spoken to close to the program, it does sound like they are pleased with the growth they’ve seen from Vizzina, who has been one of their main backups over the last couple of years.

He is a much different player than what they previously had with Cade Klubnik. At 6-foot-4 and about 210 pounds, Vizzina is going to operate mostly in structure as a pocket quarterback and doesn’t bring nearly the athletic upside that Klubnik brought to the table. There is going to be a noticeable play style change behind center.

The ground game and a young offensive line

The biggest question I have personally on this team is just how good they are going to be able to run the football.

Keep a close eye on Gideon Davidson, who is now a sophomore. The 6-foot, 200-pound runner was once a huge recruit in the 2025 class. He took a back seat last season and needed to grow as a younger back, but it does sound like he has made the most of his offseason so far. I’m excited to see what Davidson is able to do in 2026.

Clemson is going to be pretty inexperienced up front, but there’s plenty of talent to get excited about.

That includes a pair of young offensive tackles in left tackle Brayden Jacobs (the son of former Auburn and New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs) and redshirt freshman Easton Ware, who will most likely start at right tackle. Both were former top recruits, and while losing Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh in the same offseason isn’t ideal, there’s a feeling around Clemson that their pair of young offensive tackles are even more talented than the previous bookends.

Clemson’s defense: Retooled secondary and a strong front 7

On defense, there’s a lot of carryover in the front seven but significant change on the back end, which was necessary.

The Clemson secondary was not nearly as consistent as it needed to be last season, although they do return Ashton Hampton. Hampton is expected to be one of the best corners in college football going into 2026. At a verified 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, he is a physical press man corner who could be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

On the other side should be Penn State transfer Elliott Washington II, who did a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions defense, including blitzing, covering, and contributing in run defense. He brings a solid baseline that Clemson did not have enough of outside of Hampton and Avion Terrell last season.

The safety position saw a complete overhaul. That was a unit that was not nearly good enough in 2025.

Keep a close eye on Jerome Carter III, who transferred from Old Dominion at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. He had six interceptions a year ago and has really good ball skills. But the talk of this team has been Corey Myrick, a transfer from Southern Miss. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder can play near the line of scrimmage and do a lot of things from a versatility perspective on the back end. He has been receiving rave reviews since arriving.

Front 7 talent and questions inside

In the front seven, the usual names to watch start with Will Heldt, who had a really nice first season with the team last fall after transferring from Purdue. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks and should be the mainstay on that defensive line.

The 6-foot-7, 260-pound edge rusher isn’t the most athletically gifted pass rusher, but he’s incredibly physical, strong, and moves a little better than you would anticipate.

Sammy Brown on the second level did some awesome things a year ago and has been a mainstay in this defense for the last couple of years. His eyes are still a work in progress, but his athleticism and overall explosiveness are eye-popping. Brown has really taken on a leadership role this season, which could potentially be his last at Clemson. Early designations have him as a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The interior defensive line is going to carry some of the major questions. There are former top recruits penciled in to start inside, but none of them have had a huge impact in a Clemson uniform yet. I’m intrigued by some of the things I’ve heard about Vic Burley, who at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds is a body-beautiful defensive tackle who was once a top-50 recruit.

They also have Jahiem Lawson, a defensive end who isn’t the most flashy player but has been a consistent contributor while waiting his turn. I expect this defensive front to be good, but I do have some questions about just how elite it can be if everything hits.