As the College Football Playoff kicks off this weekend, Clemson finds itself in a familiar position - not in the field. For the fourth time in five years, the Tigers are on the outside looking in, a stark contrast to the powerhouse program that once made six appearances in the first seven editions of the CFP.
But this season could’ve unraveled completely. After a brutal 3-5 start, Dabo Swinney’s squad looked like it was headed for a lost year. Instead, Clemson clawed back with four straight wins in November, salvaging momentum and earning a postseason berth that suddenly feels more meaningful than it did a month ago.
Now comes a compelling matchup against Penn State - another top-five preseason hopeful that fell short of expectations. The Nittany Lions are navigating their own turbulence, playing this game under interim head coach Terry Smith after James Franklin was dismissed in October. It’s a rare meeting between two tradition-rich programs that have only faced off once before, a Clemson win in the 1988 Peach Bowl under Danny Ford.
This time around, there’s no CFP berth on the line, no national title implications. But don’t mistake this for a meaningless bowl game. For Clemson, this is about pride, continuity, and laying the groundwork for what comes next.
A win in the Pinstripe Bowl would mark Clemson’s 15th straight postseason victory - the longest active streak in the country. It would also secure an eight-win season for the 14th consecutive year, a level of sustained success matched only by the likes of Alabama and Georgia. And it would cap off a remarkable turnaround, making this the first team in program history to start 1-3 and still reach the eight-win mark.
But that road won’t be easy. Swinney revealed earlier this week that the Tigers will be without 27 players due to opt-outs, injuries, and transfers.
That’s not a typo - twenty-seven. In the era of the transfer portal and NFL draft prep, this is the new reality of bowl season.
Still, Swinney is leaning into the players who chose to "opt in" and finish the season on the field.
With that in mind, Clemson released its official depth chart for the Pinstripe Bowl, and it’s a glimpse into both the present and future of the program. Let’s break it down.
Offense
At quarterback, Cade Klubnik remains the starter, with freshman Christopher Vizzina and walk-on Trent Pearman listed behind him. Klubnik’s development has been a focal point all season, and this game offers another chance to build confidence heading into 2026.
In the backfield, Adam Randall - typically a wide receiver - is listed as the starting running back, a clear sign of how depleted the position group is. Behind him are true freshmen Gideon Davidson and David Eziomume, both of whom could see significant snaps.
The wide receiver group is young and still forming its identity. T.J.
Moore leads the X position, while the Z spot is an either/or between Tristan Smith and Cole Turner. Tyler Brown anchors the H spot, with Clark Sanderson and Juju Preston in the mix.
Tight end is a toss-up between Josh Sapp and Christian Bentancur, two players who’ve shown flashes but haven’t fully broken out yet.
The offensive line remains mostly intact, with Tristan Leigh and Blake Miller at the tackle spots and Ryan Linthicum holding down the center position. Guard spots are a bit more fluid, with Dietrick Pennington, Ronan O’Connell, Harris Sewell, and Gavin Blanchard all expected to rotate.
Defense
Up front, the defensive line is young and hungry. Will Heldt and Cade Denhoff start at defensive end, with Darien Mayo and Markus Dixon providing depth. Inside, Stephiylan Green and Hevin Brown-Shuler are the primary tackles, with Vic Burley and Champ Thompson rotating in.
At linebacker, five-star freshman Sammy Brown starts in the middle - a big opportunity for one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory. Kobe McCloud holds down the weak-side spot, with Fletcher Cothran backing him up.
The secondary is a mix of youth and upside. Branden Strozier and Ashton Hampton start at corner, with Corian Gipson doubling as a nickel and backup corner. Ricardo Jones and Ronan Hanafin are the starting safeties, while Tyler Venables - a veteran presence - provides depth.
Special Teams
Nolan Hauser gets the nod at kicker, with Jack Smith handling punting duties. Adam Randall is listed as the primary kick returner, while T.J.
Moore and Cole Turner will handle punt returns. Clay Swinney will hold for kicks, with long-snapping duties split between Holden Caspersen and Philip Florenzo.
What It All Means
This bowl game might not come with the national spotlight Clemson is used to, but it’s far from meaningless. For many young players, this is their first real taste of extended playing time. For veterans, it’s a chance to finish strong and help usher in the next wave of Tigers.
And for the program as a whole, it’s about proving that even in a year that didn’t go according to plan, the standard - and the culture - still matters.
Clemson’s streaks are on the line. So is the message it wants to send heading into a pivotal offseason. The Tigers may not be in the playoff, but they’re still playing for something - and that something might just shape their future.