This is a list of notable alumni that have graduated from Clemson University.
Arts, entertainment, and media Harry Ashmore, journalist, received Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1958 Lee Brice, country music singer Aaron Buerge, The Bachelor, Season 2 Daja Dial, Miss South Carolina 2015 James Dickey, writer and poet with American South influences (attended for one year, but did not graduate from Clemson) Meredith Hayden, chef, social media influencer, and cookbook author (BS in Marketing) Jonathan Hickman, comic book writer and artist Rob Huebel, actor/comedian, Human Giant Fiona Hutchison, One Life to Live actress Ian, rapper Matt William Knowles, actor, Asura Connie LeGrand, former co-host of Speed Channel's Speed News (now The Speed Report) Chris Luca, winner of Amazing Race 2 Nancy O'Dell, former Miss South Carolina and host of Entertainment Tonight''' Jane Robelot, CBS national news anchor Ben Robertson, 1923, World War II correspondent, author Ali Rogers, 2014, former Miss South Carolina, 1st runner-up at Miss America 2013 Mark Tremonti, lead guitarist for Creed, Alter Bridge, and his own band, Tremonti; named Guitarist of the Year three consecutive years by Guitar World, multiple Grammy Awards (did not graduate, attended Clemson his freshman year) James Michael Tyler, actor, played Gunther on FriendsShawn Weatherly, Miss Universe, 1980–81 Nora Sakavic, author, wrote the book series All For The Game, set at the fictional Palmetto State University based on Clemson University
Business and industry Robert H. Brooks, founder and chairman of Naturally Fresh Dressings, Sauces and Dips; president of Atlanta-based Hooters of America, Inc Aaron Buerge, banker Charlene Corley, former defense contractor who was convicted in 2007 on two counts of conspiracy Richard C. Davis, founder of Trademark Properties, appeared in the first season of A&E's Flip This HouseJames M. Henderson, founder of the Henderson Agency, a leading advertising company Matt Jordan, former Houston Dynamo general manager and technical director Mohnish Pabrai, Indian-American businessman, investor, and philanthropist Mark Richardson, co-owner of the Carolina Panthers; owner of 50 Bojangles locations Jamey Rootes, president of the Houston Texans and former president of Columbus Crew of the MLS George H. Ross, executive vice president and senior counsel of the Trump Organization; advisor to Donald Trump on the NBC reality television program The Apprentice'' Jaw Shaw-kong, owner of Broadcasting Corporation of China and politician in Taiwan Paul Steelman, founder of Steelman Partners and architect known for designing casinos and entertainment venues, including the Sands Macao David A. Wright, chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission and former president of National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
Academia
Autar Kaw, professor at University of South Florida, 2012 U.S. Professor of the Year (administered by CASE and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching)
Government and politics Chrissy Adams, lawyer, the tenth judicial circuit solicitor in South Carolina David Beasley, governor of South Carolina (1995–1999) Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA launch director James F. Byrnes, former U.S. secretary of state (1945–1947), former U.S. senator (1931–1941), former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1941–1942) West Cox, member of the South Carolina House of Representatives Jim DeMint, former South Carolina senator and president of Heritage Foundation Jeff Duncan, U.S. representative for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district John Edwards, candidate for vice president in 2004 and senator for North Carolina Ekwee Ethuro, speaker of the Kenyan Senate Harvey Gantt, former mayor of Charlotte and first African-American graduate of Clemson University Thomas S. Gettys, US congressman from South Carolina's 5th District Nikki Haley, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, former governor of South Carolina Mark Hammond, South Carolina secretary of state Dick Harpootlian, former SC Democratic Party chair and lawyer for Alex Murdaugh Jennifer Homendy, chair of National Transportation Safety Board Jo Jorgensen, Libertarian Party candidate for president in 2020 Kristie A. Kenney, former United States ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, The Philippines, and Ecuador C. Alan Lawson, justice on Supreme Court of Florida Earle Morris, Jr., former lt. governor, comptroller general of South Carolina Bob Peeler, South Carolina lieutenant governor (1995–2003) Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Republican member of the South Carolina Senate since 1980South Carolina Senate biography James P. Richards, US congressman from South Carolina's 5th District Jaw Shaw-kong, former member of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, founder of Taiwan's New Party Strom Thurmond, former governor of South Carolina, former U.S. senator David Wilkins, former speaker of South Carolina House, former U.S. ambassador to Canada
Military Rudolf Anderson Jr., major in the United States Air Force, the only combat casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis when his U-2 spy plane was shot down Aquilla J. Dyess, United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Medal of Honor recipient, killed in action in World War II, only American to receive both the Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism and the Medal of Honor Gary Evans Foster, United States Army (South Carolina National Guard) sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient in World War I Randolph W. House, US Army lieutenant general John W. Raymond, United States Air Force general; first chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force Daniel Augustus Joseph Sullivan, United States Navy ensign, Medal of Honor recipient in World War I
Sports
Baseball Jeff Baker, Texas Rangers utility player Kris Benson, former MLB pitcher, 1996 Dick Howser Trophy winner Ty Cline, former MLB outfielder and first baseman with several teams Tyler Colvin, San Francisco Giants outfielder Steven Duggar (born 1993), outfielder for the San Francisco Giants Khalil Greene, former MLB infielder with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, 2002 Golden Spikes Award winner Steven Jackson, Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jimmy Key, former MLB pitcher with Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles, four-time All-Star, two-time World Series Champion Brian Kowitz, former MLB outfielder with the Atlanta Braves Tyler Krieger, second baseman in the Cleveland Indians organization Matthew LeCroy, former MLB infielder Billy McMillon, former MLB outfielder with the Florida Marlins (1996–1997), Philadelphia Phillies (1997), Detroit Tigers (2000–2001) and Oakland Athletics (2001, 2003–2004); current manager of the Salem Red Sox of the Class A Carolina League, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox; member of Clemson Hall of Fame, 2012 Brad Miller, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Kyle Parker, outfielder, Colorado Rockies; also played football at Clemson Ben Paulsen, Utility player, Colorado Rockies; Currently on Clemson Baseball Staff Danny Sheaffer, former MLB catcher/third baseman Bill Spiers, former MLB infielder with the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, and Houston Astros Tim Teufel, former MLB second baseman, 1986 World Series Champion, current third base coach with the New York Mets Spencer Strider, star pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and MLB All-Star in 2023; drafted in the 4th round in 2020 MLB draft
Basketball
Jaron Blossomgame, NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League Trevor Booker, current NBA forward for the Brooklyn Nets, drafted 23rd overall in the 2010 NBA draft Greg Buckner, former NBA guard Elden Campbell, former NBA forward/center, drafted 27th overall in the 1990 NBA draft Dale Davis, former NBA forward/center, All-Star (2000), drafted 13th overall in the 1991 NBA draft Horace Grant, former NBA forward, All-Star (1994), four-time NBA Champion, ACC Player of the Year (1987), drafted 10th overall in the 1987 NBA draft Cliff Hammonds, current guard for s.Oliver Würzburg Randolph Mahaffey, former NBA guard, All-Star (1968) K.J. McDaniels, current NBA forward for the Houston Rockets, first team All-ACC and ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2014), drafted 32nd overall in the 2014 NBA draft Larry Nance, former NBA forward, three-time NBA All-Star (1985, 1989, 1993), first winner of NBA "slam dunk" competition (1984), NBA All-Defense First Team (1989), drafted 20th overall in the 1981 NBA draft Wayne "Tree" Rollins, former NBA player and executive, NBA All-Defense First Team (1984), drafted 14th overall in the 1977 NBA draft Will Solomon (born 1978), basketball player Elijah Thomas (born 1996), basketball player for Bnei Herzliya in the Israeli Basketball Premier League Itoro Umoh-Coleman, former WNBA player Chris Whitney, former NBA guard Sharone Wright, former NBA forward/center, drafted sixth overall in the 1994 NBA draft
Football Players in the 2014 National Football League season; years played at Clemson are in parentheses:
Dwayne Allen (2009–2011), tight end for the Indianapolis Colts Da'Quan Bowers (2008–2010), defensive end Andre Branch (2008–2011), defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars Bashaud Breeland (2011–2013), cornerback for the Washington Redskins Jaron Brown (2009–2012), wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals Martavis Bryant (2011–2013), wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers Chandler Catanzaro (2010–2013), kicker for the Arizona Cardinals Kavell Conner (2006–2009), linebacker for the San Diego Chargers Andre Ellington (2009–2012), running back for the Arizona Cardinals Dalton Freeman (2009–2012), center for the New York Jets Marcus Gilchrist (2007–2010), defensive back for the Oakland Raiders Malliciah Goodman (2009–2012), defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons Chris Hairston (2007–2010), offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers DeAndre Hopkins (2010–2012), wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals Adam Humphries (2011–2015), wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jarvis Jenkins (2007–2010), defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears Trevor Lawrence (2018–2020), quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars Byron Maxwell (2007–2010), cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles Antoine McClain (2009–2012), offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals Jonathan Meeks (2009–2012), safety for the Buffalo Bills Michael Palmer (2006–2009), tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers Artavis Scott, wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers Coty Sensabaugh (2008–2011), cornerback for the Tennessee Titans Tyler Shatley (2010–2013), offensive guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars C. J. Spiller (2006–2009), running back for the New Orleans Saints, unanimous first-team All-American (2009), ACC Player of the Year (2009), drafted ninth overall in the 2010 NFL draft, Pro Bowl (2012) Brandon Thomas (2010–2013), offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers Brandon Thompson (2008–2011), defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals Sammy Watkins (2011–2013), wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, drafted fourth overall in the 2014 NFL draft Deshaun Watson (2014–2016), quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, drafted 12th overall in the 2017 NFL draft Charlie Whitehurst (2002–2005), quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, previously with the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks Mike Williams, wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers, drafted 7th in the 2017 NFL draft
Former players of note: Gaines Adams, former NFL defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears, drafted fourth overall in the 2007 NFL draft Keith Adams, former NFL linebacker, two-time NCAA first-team All-American (1999, 2000) Terry Allen, former NFL running back, #20 All-time leading rusher in NFL history Obed Ariri, former NFL placekicker, NCAA first-team All-American (1980) Thomas Austin Jeff Bostic, former Washington Redskins center, only player in Clemson history to be a three-time Super Bowl Champion