CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Clemson ranked No. 1 in ESPN's Way-too-Early Top 25

Clemson ranked No. 1 in ESPN's Way-too-Early Top 25


by - Assoc. Editor -

Is Clemson the favorite to hoist the next National Championship?

ESPN released its Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for 2018 on Wednesday morning and Clemson was ranked No. 1 on the list ahead of Alabama.

"Clemson's chances received a major boost when a handful of underclassmen -- defensive linemen Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins and linebacker Kendall Joseph -- decided to return to school," ESPN.com said. "Ferrell and Wilkins were considered probable first-round selections if they entered the NFL draft."

ESPN thinks that the Tigers' defense will be salty again in 2018.

"The Tigers had one of the most dominant defenses in the FBS this past season; they were tied for the FBS lead in sacks (46), sixth in tackles for loss (109) and eighth in yards allowed per rush (3.1)," ESPN.com said. "They also signed two of the top three defensive linemen prospects in the 2018 class in Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry."

The Top 25 teams were Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Wisconsin, Washington, Miami, Michigan State, West Virginia, Penn State, Stanford, Auburn, Michigan, Virginia Tech, TCU, Boise State, USC, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, UCF, Florida State, LSU, Texas, and South Carolina.

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