Tigers ranked 10th in SI's post-spring Top 25

by TigerNet Staff - Tue May 07 13:09:54 GMT-04:00 2013

Clemson is ranked No. 10 in Sports Illustrated's post-spring top 25 rankings.

#10 Clemson Tigers

2012 record: 11-2 (7-1 ACC)

Key returnees: QB Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile , WR Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile , OT Brandon ThomasBrandon Thomas
RS Sr. Offensive Line
#63 6-3, 305
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile , DE Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile , LB Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Jr. Linebacker
#12 6-3, 235
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile , K Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile

Key losses: C Dalton FreemanDalton Freeman
Center
#55 6-5, 265
Pelion, SC
View Full Profile , WR DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins
Wide Receiver
#6 6-2, 205
Central, SC
View Full Profile , RB Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
Running Back
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC
View Full Profile , DE Malliciah GoodmanMalliciah Goodman
Defensive End
#97 6-4, 270
Florence, SC
View Full Profile , S Rashard HallRashard Hall
Safety
#31 6-2, 210
St. Augustine, FL
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Spring star: TE Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Fr. Tight End
#16 6-6, 235
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile

How dedicated are the Tigers to winning their season opener? Their players are doing in-person scouting these days. In April, Boyd, Watkins and linebacker Quandon ChristianQuandon Christian
RS Sr. Linebacker
#34 6-2, 225
Lake View, SC
View Full Profile tried to blend in with the spring game crowd at Georgia's Sanford Stadium. The players wanted to see what they'll face when they open the season against the Bulldogs on Aug. 31. "We were kind of incognito," Boyd told OrangeAndWhite.com. "I had a hat on, some shades -- threw on some red and kept it casual." Of all the teams in the ACC, the Tigers have the schedule that would give them the best shot of being the first team from the league to play for the BCS title since Florida State in the 2000 season. If they win their season opener and their regular-season finale (South Carolina), they'd probably qualify for the SEC East title. Of course, they'd still have to win the ACC, which isn't going to be that easy with Florida State reloading and Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Miami improving.