Greg McElroy reveals choice for preseason No. 1 team ahead of 2025 season
By Mark Kern
Published:
Greg McElroy has been doing a countdown for his preseason Top 25 on his college football show, Always College Football.
On Thursday, he unveiled his top 10 teams in college football, with Clemson being the team he thinks is the best headed into the season.
“I absolutely love their passing attack and defensive line,” McElroy said. “Those are the things that stand out to me and kind of take them from a good team to an elite team. I think Cade Klubnik is the best returning quarterback in America.”
The Tigers are one of the deepest teams in college football, with talent on both sides of the ball.
Klubnik had a big season last year, finishing with 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has his top three wide receivers back this year in Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore. That trio can compete with any receiving group in all of college football.
As good as the offense is, you could make an argument that the defense will be equally as dominant.
Defensive line always seems to be a strength for the Tigers, and McElroy said this year’s group could be as good as its been in a long time.
“The defensive line might be the best unit they have one the team,” McElroy said. “It is constantly considered the last few years as one of the best in America. It all starts with TJ Parker. Every single time he was on the field it felt like he was on the cusp of taking over the game. Peter Woods last year had to slide out to defensive end, now he will be back at his natural position of defensive tackle.”
Dabo Swinney has taken some grief the past couple of seasons for not embracing the transfer portal, but he stuck to his guns and continued to build his program his way. Last year, they showed they can contend with anybody as they made it to the College Football Playoff before losing to Texas.
The talent is there for Clemson to make a run at winning another national title, but there is a big time challenge to start the year as the Tigers welcome another national title contender LSU in Week 1.
