The 2020 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, in his 12th full year. The Tigers competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.
The season was played amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ACC settled on an eleven-game football schedule, with ten conference games with no divisions and one non-conference game. Clemson canceled their previously scheduled non-conference games against Akron and South Carolina, and kept their game against The Citadel. Precautions were taken to reduce the spread of the virus, including testing, isolation requirements, and limitations on the number of fans in attendance.
Clemson began the year ranked first in the preseason AP Poll, and handily won their first seven games of the season, including a 42–17 win over then-No. 9 Miami (FL). Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19 on October 29, and was forced to miss the team's next two games against Boston College and temporary ACC member Notre Dame. The team escaped with a close win against Boston College, but lost on the road to then-No. 4 Notre Dame in double overtime, 47–40. Clemson won the remainder of their regular season games, and earned a place in the ACC Championship Game by finishing second in the division-less format with an 8–1 record, behind Notre Dame. In the rematch against the Fighting Irish, this time with Lawrence at quarterback, the Tigers were victorious by a score of 34–10, to win their sixth consecutive ACC title. In the final College Football Playoff rankings of the season, Clemson was ranked second, earning them a place in the national semifinal to be played at the Sugar Bowl against third-seeded Ohio State, a rematch of the previous season's Fiesta Bowl. Clemson lost the rematch, 49–28, to end the season at 10–2 and ranked third in the final polls.
Junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the team on offense with 3,153 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. He was named ACC Player of the Year and finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy. The team's leading rusher was Travis Etienne, who was named a consensus All-American all-purpose back. Amari Rodgers was the team's leading receiver and was named first-team all-conference. On defense, the team featured two first-team all-conference members in lineman Bryan Bresee and cornerback Derion Kendrick. Bresee was named the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Offseason
Recruiting
Clemson's 2020 recruiting class consisted of 23 signees. The class was ranked as the best class in the ACC and the third best class overall according to the 247Sports Composite.
Offseason departures
NFL draftees Player Round Pick Team Position Isaiah Simmons 1 8 Arizona Cardinals LB A. J. Terrell 1 16 Atlanta Falcons CB Tee Higgins 2 33 Cincinnati Bengals WR Tanner Muse 3 100 Las Vegas Raiders ILB John Simpson 4 109 Las Vegas Raiders G K'Von Wallace 4 127 Philadelphia Eagles S Tremayne Anchrum 7 250 Los Angeles Rams G
Undrafted free agents Player Team Position Reference Sean Pollard Baltimore Ravens OL
Transfers Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown College transferred to Source(s) Demarkcus Bowman 1 RB 5'10" 190 Freshman Lakeland, FL Florida Chase Brice 7 QB 6'2" 207 Sophomore Loganville, GA Duke T. J. Chase 18 WR 6'1" 185 Junior Plant City, FL FAU Xavier Kelly 22 DE 6'4" 265 Junior Wichita, KS Arkansas Johnathan Boyd 46 LB 6'2" 217 Sophomore Lilburn, GA Delta State
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released Award Player Position YearLott TrophyJustin FosterDESRDoak Walker AwardTravis EtienneRBSRDavey O'Brien AwardTrevor LawrenceQBJRButkus AwardJames SkalskiLBSRJim Thorpe AwardDerion KendrickCBJR Bronko Nagurski TrophyJames SkalskiLBSRTyler DavisDTSO Outland TrophyJackson CarmanOLJRTyler DavisDTSOPaul Hornung AwardAmari RodgersWRSRWuerffel TrophyDarien RencherRBSR Maxwell Award Trevor LawrenceQBJRTravis EtienneRBSR Manning Award Trevor Lawrence QB JR
Schedule Clemson had games scheduled against Akron and South Carolina, which were both canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first season since 1908 that the Tigers did not play South Carolina.
The ACC released their schedule format on July 29, with specific dates selected at a later date. Specific game dates were released on August 6, 2020. Florida State cancelled their scheduled game with Clemson the morning of the game after Clemson had already traveled to Florida State's campus.
Rankings
Personnel
Coaching staff +Clemson Tigers football current coaching staffDabo Swinney Head coach University of Alabama (1993) 13thBrent Venables Associate head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Coach Kansas State University (1992) 8thDanny Pearman Assistant head coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Tight Ends Clemson University (1987) 11thTony Elliott Offensive coordinator/running backs Coach Clemson University (2002) 5thBrandon Streeter Assistant coach, Passing Game Coordinator, Quarterbacks Clemson University (1999) 6thTodd Bates Assistant coach, Recruiting Coordinator, Defensive tackles University of Alabama (2004) 3rdRobbie Caldwell Assistant coach, Offensive Linemen Furman University (1977) 9thMickey Conn Assistant coach, Safeties University of Alabama (1995) 5thTyler Grisham Assistant coach, Wide Receivers Clemson University (2009) 1stLemanski Hall Assistant coach, Defensive Ends University of Alabama (1993) 3rdMike Reed Assistant coach, Cornerbacks Boston College (1994) 7th
Roster 2020 Clemson Tigers FootballQuarterback 5 DJ Uiagalelei – freshman (6'4, 250) 7 Taisun Phommachanh – freshman (6'3, 220) 15 James Talton – freshman (6'0, 185) 16 Trevor Lawrence – junior (6'6, 220) 18 Hunter Helms – freshman (6'1, 210)
Running back 1 DeMarkcus Bowman – freshman (5'10, 190) 9 Travis Etienne – senior (5'10, 205) 14 Kobe Pace – freshman (5'10, 215) 19 Michel Dukes – sophomore (5'10, 205) 21 Darien Rencher – senior (5'8, 195) 23 Lyn-J Dixon – junior (5'10, 195) 27 Chez Mellusi – sophomore (5'11, 200) 32 Sylvester Mayers – junior (5'6, 150) 33 Ty Lucas – sophomore (5'7, 220)
Wide receiver 2 Frank Ladson Jr. – sophomore (6'3 205) 3 Amari Rodgers – senior (5'10, 210) 6 E.J. Williams Jr. – freshman (6'3, 190) 8 Justyn Ross – junior (6'4, 205) 10 Joseph Ngata – sophomore (6'3, 220) 11 Ajou Ajou – freshman (6'3, 215) 13 Brannon Specter – freshman (6'1, 190) 17 Cornell Powell – senior (6'0, 210) 22 Will Swinney – senior (5'9, 185) 24 Hamp Greene – freshman (5'9, 175) 45 Josh Jackson – senior (6'1, 200) 81 Drew Swinney – sophomore (5'8, 185) 82 Will Brown – junior (5'8, 190) 83 Hampton Earle – freshman (5'10, 185) 86 Tye Herbstreit – freshman (6'0, 175) 89 Max May – sophomore (6'1, 190)
Tight end 25 J.C. Chalk – senior (6'3, 255) 43 Will Blackston – freshman (6'1, 250) 80 Luke Price – junior (6'2, 235) 84 Davis Allen – sophomore (6'6, 250) 85 Jaelyn Lay – freshman (6'6, 270) 87 Sage Ennis – freshman (6'4, 235) 88 Braden Galloway – junior (6'4, 240)
Placekicker 29 B. T. Potter – junior (5'10, 180) 36 Quinn Castner – freshman (5'5, 140) 41 Jonathan Weitz – freshman (5'11, 190) Offensive lineman 50 Kaleb Boateng – OL – freshman (6'4, 315) 52 Tayquon Johnson – OG – freshman (6'2, 340) 54 Mason Trotter – OL – freshman (6'2, 280) 55 Hunter Rayburn – OL – freshman (6'4, 320) 56 Will Putnam – OL – sophomore (6'4, 300) 57 Paul Tchio – OL – freshman (6'5, 300) 60 Mac Cranford – OL – freshman (6'0, 290) 62 Cade Stewart – OL – Graduate (6'3, 305) 63 Zac McIntosh – OL – junior (5'11, 285) 64 Walker Parks – OL – freshman (6'5, 295) 65 Matt Bockhorst – OG – junior (6'4, 315) 67 Will Edwards – OT – sophomore (6'5, 275) 68 Will Boggs – OL – freshman (6'3, 290) 69 Jacob Edwards – OL – sophomore (6'2, 300) 71 Jordan McFadden – OT – sophomore (6'2, 300) 72 Blake Vinson – OL – sophomore (6'4, 300) 73 Bryn Tucker – OL – freshman (6'3, 314) 75 Trent Howard – OL – freshman (6'3, 314) 76 John Williams – OL – freshman (6'4, 300) 77 Mitchell Mayes – OL – freshman (6'3, 300) 79 Jackson Carman – OL – junior (6'5, 335)
Defensive lineman 3 Xavier Thomas – DE – junior (6'2, 270) 5 KJ Henry – DE – sophomore (6'4, 255) 7 Justin Mascoll – DE – sophomore (6'3, 255) 8 Tré Williams – DT – freshman (6'2, 300) 11 Bryan Bresee – DT – freshman (6'5, 300) 13 Tyler Davis – DL – sophomore (6'2, 300) 19 Demonte Capehart – DL – freshman (6'5, 305) 32 Etinosa Reuben – DT – freshman (6'3, 280) 33 Ruke Orhorhoro – DT – sophomore (6'5, 275) 34 Jack Brissey – DE – freshman (6'2, 225) 35 Justin Foster – DE – senior (6'2, 275) 40 Greg Williams – DE – Freshamn (6'4, 260) 44 Nyles Pinckney – DT – Graduate (6'1, 300) 53 Regan Upshaw – DE – Graduate (5'11, 240) 59 Jordan Williams – DT – junior (6'4, 310) 90 Darnell Jefferies – DT – sophomore (6'2, 290) 91 Nick Eddis – DT – junior (5'11, 270) 92 Klayton Randolph – DE – sophomore (6'2, 250) 95 James Edwards – DT – junior (6'2, 300) 98 Myles Murphy – DE – freshman (6'5, 275)
Punter 39 Aidan Swanson – freshman (6'3, 170) 48 Will Spiers – senior (6'5, 225) Linebacker 6 Mike Jones Jr. – sophomore (6'0, 220) 10 Baylon Spector – Graduate (6'2, 230) 14 Kevin Swint – freshman (6'3, 230) 15 Jake Venables – sophomore (6'2, 235) 17 Kane Patterson – sophomore (6'1, 225) 22 Trenton Simpson – freshman (6'3, 225) 30 Keith Maguire – freshman (6'2, 230) 42 LaVonta Bradley – freshman (6'0, 235) 45 Sergio Allen – freshman (6'1, 225) 46 Matt McMahan – freshman (6'0, 220) 47 James Skalski – Graduate (6'0, 240) 48 David Cote – freshman (5'11, 215) 49 Matt Maloney – freshman (6'0, 200) 53 Regan Upshaw – junior (5'11, 235)
Defensive back 1 Derion Kendrick – CB – junior (6'0, 190) 2 Fred Davis II – CB – freshman (6'0, 185) 9 R.J. Mickens – S – freshman (6'0, 200) 12 Tyler Venables – S – freshman (5'10, 200) 16 Ray Thornton III – DB – freshman (6'1, 205) 18 Joseph Charleston – S – sophomore (6'0, 190) 20 LeAnthony Williams Jr. – CB – junior (5'11, 185) 21 Malcolm Greene – CB – freshman (5'11, 190) 23 Andrew Booth Jr. – CB – sophomore (6'0, 195) 24 Nolan Turner – S – senior (6'1, 205) 25 Jalyn Phillips – DB – sophomore (6'1, 210) 26 Sheridan Jones – CB – sophomore (6'0, 185) 26 Jack McCall – CB – junior (5'11, 200) 27 Carson Donnelly – S – sophomore (5'10, 195) 29 Michael Becker – S – sophomore (6'0, 205) 31 Mario Goodrich – CB – junior (6'0, 190) 36 Landen Zanders – S – sophomore (6'1, 200) 37 Jake Herbstreit – S – freshman (5'11, 170) 38 Elijah Turner – S – Graduate (5'11, 190) 39 Bubba McAtee – S – freshman (6'2, 190) 47 Peter Cote – S – junior (5'9, 200)
Long snappers 46 Jack Maddox – junior (6'3, 235) 52 Tyler Brown – Graduate (6'0, 220) 58 Maddie Golden – sophomore (5'10, 220)
Game summaries
At Wake Forest
Citadel
Virginia
Miami
At Georgia Tech
Syracuse
Boston College
At Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
At Virginia Tech
Vs. Notre Dame
Vs. Ohio State
Awards and honors
Individual Awards Player Position Award Ref. Trevor Lawrence QB ACC Player of the Year ACC Offensive Player of the Year Bryan Bresee DT ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year
All-American PlayerAPAFCAFWAATSNWCFF Designation Travis Etienne 1 2 1 1 2 Consensus Trevor Lawrence 3 2 1 – 2 None Nolan Turner – 2 – – – None The NCAA recognizes a selection to all five of the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN and WCFF first teams for unanimous selections and three of five for consensus selections. HM = Honorable mention. Source:
All-ACCPlayerPositionTeam Trevor Lawrence QB First Team Travis Etienne RB & APB Amari Rodgers WR Bryan Bresee DT Derion Kendrick CB Jackson Carman OT Second Team Matt Bockhorst OG James Skalski LB Andrew Booth Jr. CB Nolan Turner S Cornell Powell WR Third Team Jordan McFadden OT HonorableMention Will Putnam OG Cade Stewart C Myles Murphy DE Baylon Spector LB Mike Jones Jr. LB Lannden Zanders S B. T. Potter PK Source: