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Clemson Football: Top 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

By Jackson Caudell

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. #23 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 27: Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. #23 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after making an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Clemson football had a bit of a down season in 2021 and is going to need some impact players to emerge. Who are the breakout candidates for the Tigers?

You know when you are one of the elite programs in college football when everyone starts saying you are on the decline after a 10-3 season. That is the kind of standard that head coach Dabo Swinney has set with the Clemson football program and they are going to be hoping to get back to the playoff after missing it for the first time since 2014.

To help with that goal, the Tigers were able to sign a top-10 recruiting class with some talented impact players.

The reasons Clemson struggled were plain to see last season. DJ Uiagalelei was supposed to be the next great Clemson quarterback and looked the part in limited action in 2020. Whether it was the play-calling or Uiagalelei not being comfortable, things did not look good for the former five-star quarterback in 2021. That could lead to him being on the hot seat if he does not improve.

The offensive line was a disaster for the Tigers last season and did not get much better as the season went on. The big question for Clemson now is how to replace two longtime coordinators Tony Elliott and Brent Venables. Elliott shouldered some of the blame for the offensive struggles last season, but Venables might be the biggest loss, as he was one of the best coordinators in college football during his time at Clemson.

Despite their struggles, if the Tigers can find some breakout players to help their improvement, they have the talent to win the ACC and return to the playoff.

Here are the top three breakout candidates for Clemson football in 2022.

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