Is Clemson’s dynasty about to crumble? Dabo Swinney knew his 2025 recruiting class would be small, and the roster is feeling the pinch. Just 85 scholarship players meant recruiting was a high-stakes game. Swinney held onto all five scholarships, but the results? A 26th-ranked class nationally, fourth in the ACC, with only one five-star, six four-stars, and eight three-stars. Not exactly a haul. Swinney knows defense wins championships, so he’s shaking things up, bringing in former East Carolina head coach Mike Houston as a defensive analyst. It’s a gamble, and amidst that, Josh Pate’s warning is ringing loud and clear: Clemson’s in hot water.

Pate thinks they might squeeze out a CFP run in 2025, but the long-term forecast? Cloudy with a chance of trouble. “They just finished with the 26th-ranked class,” Pate pointed out, “their lowest since 2010.” He’s worried Clemson’s recruiting isn’t keeping up with the big boys. Pate believes 2025 might be their last hurrah for a while, as their current talent pool might not be deep enough for the ACC champs. He sees them trailing behind powerhouses like Texas and Ohio State. While he’d love to eat his words, he’s doubtful Clemson can keep their championship streak alive without some serious changes. And now Pate’s doubling down on his take.

On his February 17th show, he clarified, “After 2025, I said I’m worried that they’re going to struggle to do that.” He emphasized it’s not hate for Clemson but concern for “The Clemson standard” and whether they can maintain it. “So, there was a lot of rebuttal that I thought was logical. Dozens and dozens of you came at me and said the same thing, and you alleged that I was misunderstanding what they had just done over there.”

While Clemson’s future is under the microscope, Pate’s reasoning seems pretty valid: “They signed the number 26 class, but there was only 15 kids in it. It was a very small class. I knew that I probably should have specified that. I knew that what I was looking at and what my take on it had that baked in. And I don’t really look at it as the 26th ranked class. I said it because they’re ranked 26, but you could do yourself a lot of favor—I could have done myself a lot of favor—by just going by average player ranking. So the average player was ranked 90.48%…. in terms of average player grade. They finished 16th.”

However, the analyst didn’t stop there. He continued, “Okay, so that’s 10 spots better. Having said that, I’m telling you, the class just isn’t good enough, and this is three years in a row they’ve finished outside the top 10. Now, to be fair to them, two of those classes were graded number 11 in the country, but I’m looking at the caliber of roster they have. It doesn’t look like Clemson over the past several years—the mid-20s, late 2s Clemson’s, which were super teams—doesn’t look anywhere close to that.” Looks like Clemson’s climb back to greatness is uncertain.

Right now, Dabo Swinney’s future at Clemson hangs in the balance, and even he’s drawing parallels between his current recruiting struggles and his early days. On national signing day Wednesday, Swinney compared his 2025 class to his very first back in 2009, which had just 12 signees and ranked 36th in the 247Sports Composite rankings. “This group right here, a lot like the ‘Dandy Dozen,'” Swinney said, noting the seven decommitments that forced the Tigers to scramble for other recruits. This year’s class features one five-star signee (defensive lineman Amare Adams), and five offensive linemen, marking offensive line coach Matt Luke’s first recruiting class (though his work with the current linemen has shown promise). But it’s not just about the rankings.

Josh Pate sees a reality check looming for the Tigers. “It’s not that they’re going to fall off the face of the earth,” Pate clarified, “It’s not that Tiger Stadium up there won’t still be amazing, and they may not still contend for the ACC.” The real worry? “After 2025, the caliber of team they’re going to have there…is such that they won’t be able to meet their standard—the standard that Clemson competes for the national title.” It seems Clemson’s hard-earned legacy is on the line. Despite Pate’s warning, Swinney is clearly giving it his all. His recent moves suggest a fight to keep Clemson competitive. But is it enough?

What Dabo Swinney has been up to lately

With no high school recruits since 2022, Dabo Swinney’s recruiting plan has suffered. The Tigers are now preparing for the unavoidable exits of wideout Antonio Williams, QB Cade Klubnik, and other important players as they turn their attention to 2026. However, there are other factors besides the offense that are causing concern.

Swinney realized it was time for a change when the defense began to reveal weaknesses last year. And here comes defensive whiz and former Indiana HC Tom Allen. Swinney’s choice? Change things up by taking a new, bold step. In order to strengthen their defense, the Tigers are bringing in a fresh perspective. And Clemson is stacking talent off the field in addition to making moves on it.

The Tigers have made a significant off-field acquisition in addition to hiring seasoned coach Mike Houston. Next up is NFL scout Kevin Kelly, who has worked with the Jets, Chargers, Colts, and Browns. On top of that, Kelly has decades of football experience, a keen sense of talent, and a thorough knowledge of the professional game. Now, with Kelly on board, Clemson is strengthening the winning image Houston has already established at 53. The message is unmistakable: Swinney is making every effort to prepare for the future.

Let’s face it: the ACC champs are just the latest example of college football programs borrowing NFL strategies and staff. The real question is whether Dabo Swinney can meet the Clemson STANDARDS!