After a semifinal elimination during the College Football Playoffs, former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen decided to sign with the Clemson Tigers ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Tom Allen wore a weary smile in Penn State's locker room after the Orange Bowl as he surveyed a silent, still group of players hurting over the Nittany Lions' 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. Penn State's defensive coordinator, at least for that moment, tried to find context.

An ESPN analyst recently weighed in on the type of impact Tom Allen could have for Clemson as its new defensive coordinator. “It’ll be a huge impact for Clemson,” said ESPN’s Sam Acho, the former

Tom Allen understands some of the questions surrounding his decision to leave Penn State after one highly-successful season to take a seemingly lateral move as Clemson‘s new defensive coordinator. Still,

Cohen Sutherland got exclusive access to meet the Tigers’ coaches and athletes, while inspiring them and his family in return.

Clemson is coming off a 10-4 season in which it defeated SMU in the ACC Championship and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff for the seventh time. The Tigers have QB Cade Klubnik back along with defensive lineman Peter Woods, among others.

Clemson will open the 2025 season in a marquee showdown against LSU at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30 and close the regular season against South Carolina on Nov. 29.

Allen, who was the defensive coordinator this year at Penn State, just helped the Nittany Lions have another top defense. They allowed just 16.5 points and 294.8 yards per game while posting 44 sacks, 124 tackles for loss, and 25 turnovers with 20 picks, four going for scores, and five fumble recoveries.

A longtime believer in “blooming where you’re planted,” Swinney has now made five straight outside hires for assistant coaches.

Eric Dailey Jr. had 16 points, Sebastian Mack came off the bench to score 14 and Aday Mara blocked five shots on his way to a

Ohio State and Texas are in the top-three of Joel Klatt's way-too-early top-10, but there's a surprise team that holds the top spot.

With the 2024 season behind us, it's time to turn the attention to the 2025 campaign. Who will surprise? Who will disappoint?