The 25 best players in Clemson football history

One among Clemson’s first true soccer stars, McFadden can also be amongst three Tigers to have their jersey quantity (No. 66) retired by the college. A 3-sport standout at Clemson, McFadden was a halfback, punter and performed protection for the Tigers. He was a part of the college’s first crew to play in a bowl sport (1940 Cotton Bowl). Referred to as “The Nice,” McFadden was a star in the course of the days of the single-wing offense however might need been at his greatest punting the soccer. His common of 43.5 yards per punt from 1939 stood as a college file for 40 years. McFadden was the primary Clemson participant inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Earlier than Cunningham received two Tremendous Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he earned All-American standing twice whereas starring for the Tigers in the course of the first half of the Seventies. Maybe extra importantly, he was the primary black athlete at Clemson to assert All-American honors in 1974, when he posted profession highs for catches (24), receiving yards (391), and touchdowns (seven). Throughout his three seasons at Clemson, Cunningham totaled 64 receptions for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns.

To the informal, middle-aged soccer fan, Bostic is probably going greatest recognized for his time starring with the Washington Redskins. Nonetheless, he is nonetheless thought of one of many true legends of Clemson soccer. Bostic, who shared a few of his time as a Tiger with youthful brother, Jeff, was a two-time All-American (1977, ’78). He was an enormous cause that the ’78 squad ranked sixth within the nation averaging 296.5 speeding yards. Joe Bostic was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Corridor of Fame in 1996.

In comparison with a few of the Tigers’ most up-to-date star receivers, Butler’s statistics do not stand out. Nonetheless, together with the Bostics, Butler was one of many Tigers’ greatest gamers on a string of poor groups. That modified in 1977, and particularly 1978, when the Tigers went 11-1 and received the ACC title, thanks partly to Butler, who set then-school data with 58 receptions and 908 receiving yards. Throughout that ’77 marketing campaign, Butler made what’s thought of the best catch within the historical past of Clemson soccer. His backward-diving seize within the remaining minute to beat rival South Carolina. For his Clemson profession, Butler caught 135 passes for greater than 2,100 yards and 11 touchdowns.

One other on the quick listing of Clemson to have his uniform retired (No. 4), Fuller ranks tenth on the college’s all-time listing with 4,359 passing yards. He is additionally among the many prime 15 for profession completions (287) and touchdowns (22). The ACC Participant of the Yr in each 1977 and ’78, Fuller began 27 consecutive video games for the Tigers. Like teammate Jerry Butler, Fuller, who was on the throwing finish of that memorable catch from his teammate in opposition to South Carolina in 1977, was an enormous cause Clemson went from a backside dweller within the ACC to league champion.

One other one of many 4 Tigers to be inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame. Davis was a beast of a defender for Clemson in the course of the late Seventies and into the ’80s. One of many stars on the primary Tigers’ crew to win a nationwide championship in 1981, Davis was tabbed ACC Participant of the Yr that season for recording 175 complete tackles. For his profession at Clemson, Davis totaled 469 tackles, which ranks third in class historical past. He is additionally the college’s all-time chief with 10 pressured fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

Clemson soccer historians, and a few in and across the program, suppose Kinard is perhaps the perfect defensive participant within the historical past of the college. It is smart. The 2-time consensus All-American is Clemson’s all-time chief with 17 interceptions. Kinard recorded six of these picks in the course of the 1982 season. He additionally ranks among the many college’s all-time leaders in passes defended (47) and go breakups (30). Kinard was inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2001. Following that stellar profession with the Tigers, Kinard helped the New York Giants win Tremendous Bowl XXI.

Earlier than he turned a world phenomenon generally known as “The Fridge,” (a nickname he received in school, FYI) with the Chicago Bears, Perry was a stellar school soccer participant for the Tigers. He was a consensus All-American in 1983 and the ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr in ’84, when he recorded 27 tackles for loss — that are tied for second-most in class historical past for a season. For his profession, Perry, a member of the Tigers’ 1981 nationwide title crew, ranks second amongst all Tigers with 60 tackles for loss and 7 fumble recoveries. He is third in pressured fumbles (eight) and tied for fourth in sacks (27).

William wasn’t the one member of the Perry household to star for the Tigers soccer crew. Michael Dean Perry was the ACC Participant of the Yr in 1987 when he posted 24 tackles for loss. Perry’s 28 profession sacks have been a college file that stood for greater than 25 seasons. That mentioned, Perry continues to be Clemson’s all-time chief with 61 tackles for loss. Although his older brother was a cult hero of kinds within the NFL, Michael Dean needed to be the higher particular person profession, incomes 5 First-Group All-Professional choices with the Cleveland Browns and 6 Professional Bowl nods.

Woolford got here to Clemson to play operating again however ultimately made his technique to the opposite facet of the ball. On protection, Woolford established himself, arguably, as the best cornerback in Tigers’ historical past. A consensus All-American and Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Woolford is the college’s profession chief with 54 passes defended and 44 go breakups. His 10 profession interceptions rank among the many leaders within the annals of Tigers’ soccer. Woolford was additionally among the many nation’s prime punt returners throughout his time at Clemson, the place he averaged 15.5 yards per return and took two again for touchdowns in 1987.

Dawkins laid the inspiration for his Corridor of Fame NFL profession with an distinctive run with the Tigers. Along with rating amongst Clemson’s profession leaders with 11 interceptions, Dawkins recorded greater than 240 tackles. Although Dawkins solely earned second-team All-American honors from The Related Press in 1995, he was a first-team All-ACC choice that season. In a present of how nicely he was revered as an individual, Clemson created the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 to honor a Tiger yearly, for his play on the sphere, as an general chief, and dedication to the neighborhood.

There are these near the Clemson soccer program who imagine Priester is perhaps the best operating again in class historical past. Although the common school soccer fan might need a tough time remembering this proficient Tigers again. Priester topped the 1,300-yard speeding mark in each 1995 and ’96. For his profession, Priester ran for 3,966 yards — second-most in class historical past and among the many prime 15 all-time within the annals of ACC soccer. He is additionally Clemson’s all-time chief in carries (805) and completed his school profession with 21 speeding touchdowns. 

Simmons made a right away impression just about from the second he stepped on the Clemson campus. He has the excellence of being the primary defensive participant to be named UPI Freshman of the Yr — in 1995 when he totaled 105 tackles. The three-time All-ACC First Group choice, Simmons ranks second in Clemson historical past with 486 complete tackles. His 178 tackles in the course of the 1996 season are the second-most by any Tiger for a single season. Simmons additionally recorded 52 tackles for loss throughout his profession with the Tigers.

Exterior of Dying Valley, Adams is perhaps a forgettable title and sadly, he died in 2010, at age 26, as a result of a beforehand undetected coronary heart situation. Adams, nonetheless, loved a profession at Clemson that has not been forgotten. He posted 28 profession sacks, that are tied with the aforementioned Michael Dean Perry for second in class historical past. His 12 1/2 from 2006, when he was named ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr and a unanimous All-American, are tied for fourth most throughout a season.

Probably the most-recent Tiger to have his uniform quantity (No. 28). Spiller was the ACC Participant of the Yr and a unanimous All-American in 2009, when he rushed for 1,271 yards with 12 touchdowns and in addition caught 36 passes for 503 yards with 4 TDs. Some of the versatile offensive threats in school soccer historical past, Spiller is Clemson’s profession chief with 7,588 all-purpose yards. He’s fourth in class historical past with 3,547 speeding yards and sixth with 32 touchdowns. Spiller’s mixed 51 speeding and receiving touchdowns rank second-most amongst all Tigers. He is additionally the latest Clemson participant inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame (2021).

In relation to leaving one’s mark on the Clemson soccer file books, not many did it higher than Boyd. He is the college’s profession chief in passing yards (11,904), makes an attempt (1,402), completions (901), and passing touchdowns (107) spanning 47 video games for the Tigers. Boyd was the ACC Participant of the Yr and an All-American in 2012 when he set profession highs for yards (3,896) and touchdowns (36), and in addition led the Tigers to an 11-2 file and victory over LSU within the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Boyd’s 133 mixed passing and speeding touchdowns are probably the most in Clemson historical past.

Hopkins received higher in every of his three seasons at Clemson, which in the end paved the best way for him to turn out to be one of many NFL’s greatest receivers lately. At the very least when wholesome. Throughout his time with the Tigers, Hopkins posted 206 receptions (fourth-most in class historical past), 3,020 yards (ranked second all-time) and is tied for the profession Clemson file with 27 receiving touchdowns. His 82 catches from 2012 rank second for a single season on the college.

A two-time first-team All-American, Watkins put collectively two of the best receiving seasons in Clemson historical past. His 101 receptions and 1,464 receiving yards from 2013 are each college data. That got here after he caught 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011. In the meantime, Watkins’ 18 receiving TDs in 2012 are additionally a single-season college file. For his profession, Watkins is Clemson’s all-time chief with 3,391 receiving yards and tied for first with 27 touchdowns whereas second in profession receptions (240).

One among school soccer’s most fierce go rushers, Beasley is Clemson’s all-time chief with 33 sacks. His 13 from 2013, are third-most at Clemson for a single season, whereas the 12 he recorded in 2014, are tied for sixth. Beasley additionally ranks fourth on the Tigers’ profession tackles-for-loss listing with 52 1/2. He additionally pressured seven fumbles as a Tiger. The ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2014, Beasley was named a two-time consensus All-American (2013, ’14).

Watson’s skilled profession has been marred by controversy. However for Clemson, Watson was probably the most dynamic soccer gamers this century. A consensus All-American and ACC Participant of the Yr in 2015, Watson received the Davey O’Brien and Manning Awards (2015, ’16) and helped the Tigers win the nationwide championship in 2016. He ranks second in class historical past with 10,163 passing yard and tied for second with 90 passing touchdowns. Watson is Clemson’s all-time chief with a 67.4 completion proportion, and his 116 mixed passing and speeding touchdowns are second.

From suburban Atlanta, Hyatt turned the primary Clemson true freshman to open a season because the starter at left sort out since 1944. When his profession with the Tigers got here to finish, Hyatt had the college file for many begins at offensive sort out (57), and profession snaps performed (3,754). Checking in at 6-foot-5 and greater than 300 kilos, Hyatt was a member of two nationwide championship squads, a three-time first-team All-ACC decide, and a unanimous All-American (2018). 

The epitome of a crew participant, Wilkins was a part of two nationwide championship groups (2016, ’18) and a mainstay on some stellar defensive strains for the Tigers. In relation to profession statistics (15 1/2 sacks, 40 1/2 tackles for loss, 15 passes deflected), Wilkins’ numbers do not soar off the web page, however he was nonetheless a dominant pressure throughout his 4 seasons at Clemson. He was a three-time All-American and a unanimous choice in 2018 when he received each the Campbell and Willis Trophies.

Perhaps it is one thing concerning the surname Simmons that interprets to defensive greatness for the Clemson program. This Simmons, who started his school profession as a security, is the one participant in class historical past to win the Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s prime linebacker. He took house that award in 2019 when he totaled 104 tackles, together with 16 1/2 for loss, posted eight sacks, and intercepted three passes whereas additionally incomes unanimous All-American standing. A key member of Clemson’s 2018 nationwide championship squad, Simmons totaled 238 tackles and 28 1/2 for loss for his Tigers’ profession.

Is Etienne the perfect offensive participant in Clemson historical past? There is definitely an argument to be made. He is the college’s and ACC’s all-time main rusher with 4,952 yards. Etienne’s 70 speeding touchdowns rank inside the prime 10 in NCAA historical past. A 3-time All-American and two-time ACC Participant of the Yr (2018, ’19), Etienne rushed for 1,659 yards and 24 touchdowns to assist the Tigers win the nationwide championship for the 2018 season. He is additionally Clemson’s profession chief in yards per carry (7.2) and second for all-purpose yards (6,894).

Clemson’s most up-to-date famous person, Lawrence packed fairly a little bit of particular person and crew success into his three seasons of faculty soccer. The Tigers went 34-2 throughout Lawrence’s profession and received a nationwide championship (2018) in his freshman season. Throughout the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal and title video games in ’18, Lawrence threw for 674 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Lawrence went on to earn ACC Participant of the Yr and All-American honors in 2020 and at the moment sits third in class historical past in passing yards (10,098) yards, second in completion proportion (66.6), and is tied for second with 90 touchdowns.