Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been all smiles throughout yesterday’s Clemson Media Outing and Wednesday’s #ACCKickoff. He has everyone reason to be confident about repeating a the conference champions and pursuing his third national championship.
Swinney did spend some time, however, discussing the trouble that divisional foe Syracuse has given his team the last couple of seasons. Swinney also addressed the upcoming schedule, which will see the Tigers play 10 of 12 games in the Carolinas and the advantage of having 19 former players on staff.
The Tigers are coming off not only a national championship season, but the sport’s 15-0 season. If that creates additional pressure on the Tigers, he’s not showing any signs of it over the last two days in front of the media. Swinney credits much of the program’s success to the selflessness of not only the players, but his coaching staff.
Another reason to be optimistic is the number of key players returning to an offense that averaged more than 44 points per game in 2018. Heisman trophy candidates Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne return along with receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross. Amari Rodgers is rehabbing an ACL injury, but is expected to return no later than the middle of the season.
Clemson at a glance (compiled by Menachem Muller)
Clemson Tigers 15-0 8-0 Won National Championship against Alabama
Dabo Swinney 11th season 116-30 69-16
| Offense | 2018 | ACC Rank | NCAA Rank |
| Points Per game | 44.3 | 1 | 4 |
| Rushing Yards per game | 249.3 | 2 | 10 |
| Passing yards per game | 278.7 | 2 | 24 |
| Total yards per game | 528.0 | 1 | 3 |
| Defense | |||
| Points allowed per game | 13.1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing yards allowed per game | 101.9 | 1 | 5 |
| Passing yards allowed per game | 189.6 | 3 | 24 |
| Total yards allowed per game | 291.5 | 2 | 6 |
The Tigers return 12 starters, 7 on offense, 4 on defense, and the Punter.
Statistical Leaders Returning
| QB | Yards | TDS | INT | PCT |
| Trevor Lawrence | 3280 | 30 | 4 | 65.2 |
| RB | Games | Yards | TD | AVG |
| Travis Etienne | 15 | 1736 | 26 | 8.0 |
| Trevor Lawrence | 15 | 165 | 1 | 2.7 |
| WR | Games | Yards | TD | REC |
| Tee Higgins | 15 | 936 | 12 | 59 |
| Amari Rodgers | 15 | 580 | 4 | 55 |
| Justyn Ross | 14 | 1000 | 9 | 46 |
| Defense | Tackles | TFL | INT | Sacks |
| Isaiah Simmons | 88 | 9.0 | 1 | 2.0 |
| A.J. Terrell | 53 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Tanner Muse | 61 | 2.5 | 2 | 2.0 |
| K’Von Wallace | 52 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
Returning Starters Offense
QB Trevor Lawrence
RB Travis Etienne
WR Tee Higgins
WR Amari Rodgers
LG John Simpson
RG Gage Cervenka
RT Tremayne Anchrum
Returning Starters Defense
LB Isaiah Simmons
CB A.J. Terrell
S Tanner Muse
S K’Von Wallace
Special Teams
P Will Spiers
Key Losses
RB Tavien Feaster
WR Hunter Renfrow
TE Hunter Renfrow
LT Mitch Hyatt
C Justin Falcinelli
DE Clelin Ferrell
DE Austin Bryant
DT Christian Wilkins
DT Dexter Lawrence
LB Tre Lamar
LB Kendall Joseph
CB Trayvon Mullen
K Greg Huegel
