Clemson is not ranked in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25. The Tigers were the first team left out, leading all unranked teams with 112 votes, but they still missed the cut after a disappointing 7-6 season in 2025. It is a stunning fall for a program that opened the 2025 season ranked No. 4, and it is the first time since 2010 that neither Clemson nor in-state rival South Carolina appears in the preseason poll.
Quick Facts: Clemson and the 2026 AP Top 25
- Clemson is unranked in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25, the first team out with 112 votes.
- The Tigers went 7-6 in 2025 (4-4 in the ACC) after starting the year ranked No. 4.
- Quarterback Cade Klubnik is gone, drafted by the New York Jets as one of nine Clemson players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Clemson reshuffled the offense, parting with coordinator Garrett Riley and bringing back Chad Morris to run it.
- They open at No. 11 LSU on September 5, a Week 1 chance to play their way right back into the rankings.
Why Clemson Fell Out of the Top 25
The short answer is 2025. Clemson opened last season ranked No. 4 in the country with national title expectations, then finished 7-6 overall and just 4-4 in the ACC. That kind of collapse from a preseason contender is exactly what preseason voters remember, and it dropped the Tigers off the board entirely for 2026. Receiving 112 votes means Clemson is essentially the 26th or 27th team in the country in the eyes of AP voters, close to the cut but not in it, and clearly behind the 25 teams ranked ahead of them.
Roster and Staff Turnover Hurt the Ranking
Beyond the record, the roster math worked against Clemson. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, a multiyear starter, was drafted by the New York Jets, one of nine Tigers taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, a huge amount of production and experience to replace in a single offseason. On the sideline, Clemson moved on from offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and rehired Chad Morris to run the offense. New quarterback, new play caller, and a roster reload is a lot of uncertainty for voters to rank in August, even for a blue-blood program.
Clemson’s 2026 Schedule and Path Back In
The good news for Clemson is that the schedule gives them chances to climb right back into the rankings. They open on the road at No. 11 LSU on September 5, a marquee season opener that could vault them back into the Top 25 with a win. They also host No. 7 Miami, travel to Florida State, and close the regular season against rival South Carolina. Win the games voters expect them to lose, and Clemson can be ranked again within weeks. You can see how every ranked team’s slate lines up on our 2026 college football Top 25 schedule grid, and the full board in our 2026 preseason Top 25.
Was It the Right Call?
There is a real case both ways. On one side, 112 votes is the most of any unranked team, a sign that a large group of voters still see Clemson as a Top 25 program with the talent and coaching to bounce back quickly. On the other side, a 7-6 finish with a new quarterback and a retooled staff is hard to rank on faith alone, and voters rewarded teams that produced on the field in 2025. Preseason polls are projections, not results, and Clemson will get its first chance to change minds in Week 1.
Clemson AP Top 25 FAQ
Is Clemson ranked in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25?
No. Clemson is unranked in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25. The Tigers were the first team left out, receiving 112 votes, the most of any team outside the rankings.
Why is Clemson not ranked in 2026?
Clemson finished 7-6 in 2025 after starting the season ranked No. 4, then lost quarterback Cade Klubnik and eight other players to the NFL Draft and changed offensive coordinators. The disappointing season and heavy roster turnover dropped them out of the preseason poll.
When was the last time Clemson missed the preseason poll?
2026 marks the first time since 2010 that neither Clemson nor in-state rival South Carolina is ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.
Who does Clemson play first in 2026?
Clemson opens the 2026 season at No. 11 LSU on September 5, 2026, a road game that offers an immediate chance to play back into the rankings.
More 2026 College Football
- 2026 College Football Top 25 Schedule Grid (Printable)
- 2026 College Football Preseason Top 25: AP and Coaches Poll
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub: Every Team
