The
Clemson TigersThe Clemson Tigers are any team that represents Clemson University as a member of the NCAA's Division I or in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference....
footballCollege football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies. It was the venue through which American football first gained popularity in the United States...
program competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the
Atlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953, the ACC's twelve member universities compete in twenty sports in the Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Early Years: 1896–1899
Walter Merritt RiggsWalter Merritt Riggs was the president of Clemson University from 1910 to 1924 and the "father of Clemson football" coaching the first football team for what was then Clemson College. Riggs graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's of science in engineering in 1892 and was a member of...
can be characterized as the "father of Clemson Football," as he brought the game with him from Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now
Auburn UniversityAuburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, U.S. With more than 24,100 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 1, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts school...
). The fact that Auburn and Clemson share the same mascot is no accident. Riggs allowed his players to pick the team mascot and, although he may have influenced their decision, the players chose Tigers because
Princeton UniversityPrinceton University a private university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League and is considered one of the Colonial Colleges....
had just won the national championship. Riggs helped organize and coach the infant Tiger team in 1896. Indeed, when the Tigers traveled to Greenville on
HalloweenHalloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Gaelic pagan festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones...
to play Furman in their very first match, only Coach Riggs and backfield player Frank Thompkins had ever seen a football game played.
Riggs took the team to a 2–1 record in the inaugural year. He then stepped aside at the urging of the cadets, who felt that he should concentrate on his scholastic duties rather than coach the team for free.
William M. WilliamsWilliam M. Williams is a former head coach of the Clemson college football program from 1897 and a graduate of Auburn University.-Head Coaching Record:...
coached the Tigers in 1897, guiding them to a 2–2 record. In 1898,
John PentonJohn A. Penton is a former head coach of the Clemson college football program from 1898.-Head Coaching Record:...
led the Tigers to a 3–1 record.
In 1899, when the Clemson Athletic Association could not afford a coaching salary, Riggs again took over the reins, one of only two Clemson football coaches to return to the position after stepping down. The 1899 squad went 4–2. Riggs' overall record of 6–3 gives him a .667 winning percentage.
Riggs FieldRiggs Field is a 6,500-capacity soccer-specific stadium located in Clemson, South Carolina. The stadium is home to the Clemson Tigers men's and women's soccer teams. It has also hosted the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship in 1987. The stadium opened for soccer in 1987. Previous to this, it hosted a...
is named for him.
After a decade as a
Mechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering is an engineering discipline that was developed from the application of principles from physics and materials science. Mechanical engineering involves the analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of various systems...
professor, he was named acting president of
Clemson Agricultural CollegeClemson University is a public, coeducational, land-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.Founded in 1889, the University is academically divided into five colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and...
in 1910, being confirmed by the Board of Trustees as permanent president on March 7, 1911. He served until his untimely death on January 22, 1924 while on a trip to
Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. , formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790...
to meet with officials of other land grant institutions.
John Heisman Era: 1900-1903
John HeismanJohn William Heisman was a prominent American football player and college football coach in the early era of the sport and is the namesake of the Heisman Trophy awarded annually to the season's best college football player.-Early life:He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Titusville,...
coached the Tigers to their first undefeated season (6–0) in 1900. Heisman stayed only four years at Clemson, where he compiled a record of 19–3–2, an .833 percentage, the best in Clemson football history. Following a 73–0 defeat of
Georgia TechThe Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also appropriately referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast...
in 1903, the Yellow Jackets hired Heisman as their first full-time football coach.
Post-Heisman Era: 1904–1930
After Heisman left Clemson to become the head coach at Georgia Tech, the following coaches lead the Tigers football team:
- Shack Shealy
Shack Shealy is a former head coach of the Clemson college football program from 1904.-Head Coaching Record:...
(1904): 3–3–1 record
- Edward B. Cochems (1905): 3–2–1 record
- Bob Williams
Bob Williams is unique in Clemson football history for being one of the few coaches in the country to have coached at two schools involved in a rivalry , as well as being the Tigers' only three-term coach...
(1906, 1909, 1913–1915): 21–14–6 record; only coach to serve as Clemson's head coach three times; also coached at South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the Gamecocks. The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
- Frank Shaughnessy
Francis Joseph "Shag" Shaughnessy was a football and baseball player and coach.-College:...
(1907): 4–4 record
- John Stone
John N. Stone is a former head coach of the Clemson college football program from 1908.-Head Coaching Record:...
(1908): 1–6 record
- Frank Dobson
Frank Mills Dobson was a football coach at the University of Georgia in 1909 and subsequently head coach at Clemson University, the University of Richmond, the University of South Carolina, the University of Maryland, and The Apprentice School.-Georgia Tech & Georgia:A native of Roanoke,...
(1910–1912): 11–12–1 record; also coached at South Carolina
- Wayne Hart
Wayne Hart is a former head coach of the Clemson college football program from 1916.-Head Coaching Record:...
(1916): 3–6 record
- Edward Donahue
Edward Donahue was the head football coach at Clemson from 1917 to 1920. His record stands at 21-12-3 . He also served as the school's basketball and baseball coach, as well as the track coach. He was an alumnus of Washington and Lee College where he played basketball and baseball. He later went on...
(1917–1920): 21–12–3 record
- E.J. Stewart (1921–1922): 6–10–2 record
- Bill Saunders
William H. "Navy" Bill Saunders was a college football coach at Clemson, Colorado, and Northern Colorado. From 1923 to 1926, he served as the head football coach at Clemson, and compiled a 10-22-1 record. From 1928 to 1931, he served as the head coach at Northern Colorado, where he compiled a...
(1923–1926): 10–22–1 record
- Josh Cody
Josh Cody was a college football head coach. From 1927 to 1930, he was the head football coach at Clemson. During his tenure, he compiled a 29-11-1 record, was 3-0 against archrival South Carolina, and was 13-0-1 at home. During that stretch, he also served as the school's basketball coach...
(1927–1930): 29–11–1 record; Tigers were undefeated at home (13-0-1) and against South Carolina (3–0) during Cody's tenure
Jess Neely Era: 1931–1939
In 1931,
Jess NeelyJess C. Neely was a Hall of Fame college football coach at Clemson and Rice University.He played college football at Vanderbilt 1920-22...
(a former head coach at
RhodesRhodes is a Greek island approximately southwest of Turkey in eastern Aegean Sea...
and assistant at Alabama) became Clemson's head football coach. During his tenure, Neely led the Tigers to a 43-35-7 record. His final season at Clemson was the turning point in the Tigers' program. His team went 9-1 during that season, finishing second to
DukeDuke University's 26 varsity sports teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The name comes from the French "les Diables Bleus" or "the Blue Devils," which was the nickname given during World War I to the Chasseurs Alpins, the French Alpine light infantry...
in the
Southern ConferenceThe Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
. The Tigers also received their first bowl invitation and bowl victory that year, defeating nationally ranked
Boston CollegeThe Boston College Eagles are the athletic teams representing Boston College. They compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The men's and women's ice hockey teams compete in Hockey East; in addition skiing, fencing, and sailing are also non-ACC...
6-3 in the 1940 Cotton Bowl. The 1939 Tigers finished with a #12 ranking in the final
AP pollThe Associated Press Poll typically refers to a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I college football and Division I college basketball teams, though other AP polls exist as well. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
. Clemson also had their first Associated Press All-American that year in
Banks McFaddenBanks McFadden was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. McFadden is widely considered to be the greatest athlete in Clemson University history, lettering in three sports . In 1939, McFadden was voted the Associated Press' "Athlete of the Year"...
. Jess Neely, along with then athletic director Dr. Rupert Fike, founded the IPTAY Scholarship Fund, which supports the Clemson Athletic Department.
Frank Howard Era: 1940–1969
After Jess Neely left to become the head coach at
RiceThe Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest.Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics and is part of Conference USA. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic...
,
Frank HowardFrank J. Howard was an American college football player and coach. He played college football for Alabama and was a teammate of legendary coach Bear Bryant. After a career-ending injury, Howard joined the staff at Clemson College and became head coach in 1939...
(an assistant coach under Neely) was named head coach. In his 30 years at Clemson, Howard compiled a 165–118–12 record, a 3–3 bowl record, won two Southern Conference championships, and six ACC championships. Seven of Howard's teams finished the year ranked in at least one final poll. He also incorporated the Single Wing, T-formation, and I-formation offenses at different points during his coaching career at Clemson.
The tradition of rubbing "Howard's Rock" prior to running down the hill before home games began during Coach Howard's tenure. The playing field at
Memorial StadiumFrank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, popularly known as Death Valley, is home to the Clemson University Tigers, a NCAA Division I-A football team located in Clemson, South Carolina. Currently, the stadium is the second largest in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
was named "Frank Howard Field" following his retirement to honor his many years of service for the university. He was inducted into the
College Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame, located in South Bend, Indiana, USA, is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. It is situated in the renovated downtown district, near convention centers and not far from the campus of Notre Dame...
, the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Clemson Hall of Fame, the Clemson Ring of Honor, the Helms Athletic Hall of Fame, the State of Alabama Hall of Fame, National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Orange Bowl Hall of Honor, and the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame.
Post-Howard Era: 1970–1976
Clemson struggled during the years following Frank Howard's retirement. His successor,
Hootie IngramHootie Ingram was the head football coach at Clemson from 1970 to 1972. During his tenure, he compiled a 12-21 record. He is notable for having introduced the trademark "tiger paw" logo to Clemson. He played his college football at Alabama where he was a defensive back. He went on to become the...
, only compiled a 12–21 record. During his tenure, the tradition of running down the hill was stopped from 1970 to the end of the 1972 season, when the team decided it wanted to come down the hill for the final home game against South Carolina. The traditional "tiger paw" logo was introduced by Ingram. Jimmy "Red" Parker coached the Tigers from 1973-1976, compiling a 17-25-2 record.
Charlie Pell Era: 1977-1978
Charlie Pell coached the Tigers for 2 seasons, winning the ACC Coach of the Year award twice and leading the Tigers to the 1978 ACC Championship en route to a 18-4-1 record. In both seasons, Clemson earned berths to the Gator Bowl. However, Pell became involved in NCAA rules and recruiting violations that came to light under the tenure of his successor, Danny Ford. Charlie Pell would leave after 1978 to become head coach at
FloridaThe Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
, where his coaching career would end in 1984 following more NCAA rules violations.
Danny Ford Era: 1978–1989
The
Danny FordDanny Lee Ford born December 19, 1947 is a former American football coach, who most notably led Clemson University as its head coach to its 1981 national football championship.-Early career:...
Era began in 1978, after Charlie Pell left for the University of Florida. He won his first game, the 1978 Gator Bowl, with a 17–15 victory over
Ohio StateThe Ohio State University's intercollegiate sports teams and players are called the "Buckeyes" , and participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports....
and legendary coach
Woody HayesWayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes was a college football coach who won three national titles and 13 Big Ten championships in 28 years at Ohio State University...
, who punched LB Charlie Bauman in the throat after making the game-clinching interception. In his first two seasons, Ford guided the Tigers to 8–4 and 6–5 records and a Peach Bowl bid in 1979. In 1981, Ford led the Tigers to a 12–0 record, his first ACC championship as head coach, a 22-15 victory over
NebraskaThe Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 21 varsity teams in 14 sports:Early nicknames for the university's athletic teams included the...
in the Orange Bowl, and the school's first national championship in any sport. During his tenure at Clemson, Ford compiled a 96-29-4 (.760) record, a 6-2 bowl record, won five ACC championships, and finished the year ranked in at least one poll seven times. Ford also coached 21 All-Americans and 41 players who went on to play in the NFL during his 11 seasons at Clemson.
On November 21, 1982, the football program was placed on probation through the 1984 season. The sanctions came as a result of a lengthy history of recruiting violations that had taken place from 1977 through the Tigers'
1981 National Championship seasonThe 1981 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford and played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
and into 1982. The violations had started under Pell and continued under Ford.
Over 150 documented violations were found, such as improper recruiting inducements, extra benefits to student-athletes, ethical conduct, improper financial aid, improper campus visits, improper transportation and entertainment, improper use of funds, improper employment, improper recruiting contact, and distribution of cash to players by members of the coaching staff.
As a result of these violations, Clemson was banned from participating in bowl games following the 1982 and 1983 seasons, and kicked off live television during the 1983 and 1984 seasons. Also, the number of scholarships that the university could allocate to football players was restricted to 20 (from the normal limit of 30) for the 1983-84 and 1984-85 academic years. Clemson could have potentially lost its 1981 national title, as well as its 1978 and 1981 conference titles. However, because no active players were involved in the alleged infractions, Clemson was not required to forfeit any games.
Charles Alan Wright, chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions said at the time, "Due to the large number and serious nature of the violations in this case, the committee believed that institutional sanctions related to appearances on television and in postseason football bowl games were appropriate. In addition, because the violations indicated a pattern of improper recruiting activities, the committee determined that a two-year limitation on financial aid to new recruits should be imposed to offset any recruiting advantage that was gained improperly by the university."
Just five years after their probation ended, Clemson was accused of multiple recruiting violations in January 1990. The NCAA allegations included 2 money-related violations: one player gave another player $50-$70 and a booster gave a player $50. Also alleged was that coaches had contact with recruits during a "quiet period." In June 1990, the Tigers found themselves on probation once again, for the second time in less than a decade. This chain of events contributed, in part, to Ford being forced to resign in January 1990.
After a few years away from coaching, Ford was hired by
ArkansasThe Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The program has 13...
in 1992, where he would spend five seasons guiding the Razorbacks.
Ken Hatfield Era: 1990–1993
Ken HatfieldKen Hatfield is a former American football head coach. His last position was at Rice University, where he compiled a 55-78-1 record before resigning on , following a 1-10 season....
, former coach at
Air ForceThe Air Force Falcons are the college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado...
and
ArkansasThe Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The program has 13...
, coached the Tigers to their most recent ACC championship in 1991. He had a 32–13–1 record with the Tigers and led them to three bowl games (even though he didn't coach the 1993 Peach Bowl) and three final rankings in the AP and Coaches polls. Hatfield had a 1–1 bowl record at Clemson. After the 1993 regular season, Hatfield left to become the head coach at
RiceThe Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls 2 step have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games. The program has been historically mediocre.-Venue:Rice Stadium...
.
The purple home jerseys used by Clemson in special games made their debut during the 1991 ACC championship season, their most recent ACC Championship to date.
Tommy West Era: 1993–1998
Tommy WestThomas "Tommy" Cleveland West is the current Head Coach of Football at the University of Memphis. He also served as the head coach for Clemson University. He is married to the former Lindsay Watkins...
replaced Ken Hatfield at the end of the 1993 season, coaching the Tigers to a 14-13 victory in the 1993 Peach Bowl against Kentucky. West had a 31–28 record during his five seasons at Clemson and led the Tigers to three bowl games but no ACC championships. West was fired after a dismal 1998 campaign which saw Clemson go 3-8 and finish last in the ACC. West is currently the head coach at
MemphisThe Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in the NCAA's Division I / FBS men's college football. The Tigers compete in Conference USA...
.
Tommy Bowden Era: 1999–2008
After Tommy West's dismissal following the 1998 season, Clemson hired
Tommy BowdenTommy Bowden is an American football coach who most recently served as the head coach at Clemson University from 1999 until October 13, 2008...
, son of
Bobby BowdenRobert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is the current head college football coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team...
and coach at
Tulane UniversityThe Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. Established in 1893, the team is a member of Conference USA and is coached by Bob Toledo...
. Bowden led the Tigers to a 6–6 record and a Peach Bowl bid in 1999, with the team that navigated its way through a schedule that included
MACThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members located...
champions and undefeated
MarshallThe Marshall Thundering Herd football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Marshall University. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision...
,
Big EastThe Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the northeastern, southeastern and midwestern United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 23 NCAA sports...
champion and
BCSThe Bowl Championship Series is a selection system designed to give the top two teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision an opportunity to compete in a "national championship game"...
runner-up Virginia Tech (who went undefeated during the regular season), and eventual National Champion
Florida StateThe Florida State Seminoles football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Florida State has won two national championships and finished in the top five of the AP Poll for 14 straight years from 1987...
(who finished the year undefeated). The 1999 meeting between the Tigers and Seminoles was dubbed the "Bowden Bowl" and was the first time that a father and son coached against each other in Division I football. FSU won the game 17–14 in front of the largest crowd in the history of Death Valley.
During Bowden's tenure, the Tigers were bowl eligible every season but didn't win any ACC championships (the 2004 team turned down a bowl invitation as punishment for a massive brawl during a game against the
University of South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the Gamecocks. The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
). Despite this, Bowden has been criticized for his teams underachieving. The 2000 Tigers started 8–0 and rose as high as #5 in the polls before losing three of their last four. The same thing happened during the 2006 season following a 7–1 start and with the team on the verge of winning the ACC Atlantic Division. The Tigers have also shown great resolve at points during Bowden's tenure. The 2003 team won four games at the end of the season to finish 9–4, which included victories over #3 Florida State and #7
TennesseeThe 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed...
in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. The 2004 season saw the Tigers falter to a 1–4 start only to win five of their last six games (which included an overtime upset of #10
Miami-Roster changes:University of Miami safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell made the decision to forgo their senior years and declare for the NFL Draft. Phillips was drafted in the first round, No. 31 overall by the New York Giants. Campbell was drafted in the second round, No. 50...
), while the 2005 team overcame a 2–3 start to finish the season 9–4.
Tommy Bowden agreed to resign for $3.5 Million on October 13, 2008, after leading the team to a disappointing 3–3 record (1–2 ACC) at the midpoint of a season in which the Tigers were an almost unanimous preseason pick to win their first ACC title under Bowden and were ranked #9 in the preseason polls. Assistant coach
Dabo SwinneyDabo "William Christopher" Swinney is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.-Playing career:...
was named interim head coach.
Dabo Swinney Era: 2008–present
After leading the Tigers to 4–2 after taking over for Tommy Bowden as the interim head coach,
Dabo SwinneyDabo "William Christopher" Swinney is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.-Playing career:...
accepted a 5-year contract at the head coach position on December 1st, 2008.
Logos and uniforms
Georgia Tech
Clemson's rivalry with Georgia Tech dates to 1898 with the first game being played in Atlanta. The game was played in Atlanta for 45 of the first 47 matchups. When Georgia Tech joined the ACC in 1978, The series went to a more traditional home-and-home setup beginning with the 1983 game. When the ACC expanded to 12 teams and split into two divisions in 2005, Clemson and Georgia Tech were placed in opposite divisions but were designated permanent cross-divisional rivals so that the series may continue uninterrupted. The two schools are 127 miles apart and connected to each other by
Interstate 85Interstate 85 is a major Interstate Highway in the southeastern United States. Its southern terminus is at an intersection with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus intersects with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond.An addition to Interstate 85 is proposed...
. This distance is slightly closer than that between Clemson and traditional rival South Carolina (137 miles). As of 2009, Georgia Tech leads the series 48-24-2. The Yellow Jackets own a slight edge in the rivalry at 14-13 since Georgia Tech joined the ACC.
Textile Bowl
The yearly conference and divisional matchup between NC State is known as the
Textile BowlThe Textile Bowl is a traditional football rivalry between Clemson University and North Carolina State University. They have competed for the Textile Bowl since 1981. The two teams are founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and are both in the Atlantic Division of the conference...
for the schools similar missions in research and development for the textile industry in the Carolinas. The first meeting of the two schools occurred in 1899 and as of 2008, Clemson holds a 49-27-1 series advantage.
O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy
The O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy was created in 2008 by the Boston College Gridiron Club in order to honor the tradition at both schools and to honor the legacy of Charlie O’Rourke and
Banks McFaddenBanks McFadden was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. McFadden is widely considered to be the greatest athlete in Clemson University history, lettering in three sports . In 1939, McFadden was voted the Associated Press' "Athlete of the Year"...
, who played during the leather helmet era. The club plans to make this an annual presentation. Clemson first met Boston College on the football field in the 1940
Cotton BowlThe Cotton Bowl Classic, commonly known as the Cotton Bowl, is a United States college football bowl game that was played annually since 1937 at its namesake stadium in Dallas, Texas. On February 27, 2007, it was announced that the game will move to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, beginning...
, the first ever bowl game for the Tigers and Eagles. Over the next 43 years, the teams met a total of 13 times. In 2005, Boston College joined the ACC and the Atlantic Division. Since then, the game has been played on an annual basis with Boston College winning 3 of the first 5 games as divisional foes. As of 2009, Clemson owns a slight lead in the series 9-8-2.
The Bowden Bowl
Between 1999 and 2007 the ACC Atlantic Division matchup between Clemson and Florida State was referred to as the "Bowden Bowl" to reflect the father-son head coach matchup between
Bobby BowdenRobert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is the current head college football coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team...
(Father, FSU) and
Tommy BowdenTommy Bowden is an American football coach who most recently served as the head coach at Clemson University from 1999 until October 13, 2008...
(Son, Clemson). Their first meeting, in 1999, was the first time in Division I-A history that a father and a son met as opposing head coaches in a football game. Bobby Bowden won the first four matchups extending FSU's winning streak over Clemson to 11 dating back to 1992. Since 2002, Clemson won 4 of the last 5, including a 26-10 win in Clemson over then-#3 FSU, the highest ranking opponent to ever be defeated by the Tigers. Also during this time the Tigers recorded a 27-20 win in Tallahassee in 2006 which broke a 17-year losing streak in Doak Campbell Stadium. 2007 was the last Bowden Bowl game as Tommy resigned as head coach in October 2008. As of 2008, Florida State leads the overall series at 16-6.
Georgia
Clemson has a lesser rivalry with the
University of GeorgiaThe University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning. Founded in 1785, UGA claims to be the oldest public university in the United States....
, born because of the two institutions' close proximity (roughly 90 miles apart). Clemson and Georgia first met in 1897. The rivalry was at its height in the 1980s, but the two programs have not played each other since 2003. The athletic departments recently added games to be played in 2013 at Clemson and 2014 in Athens. As of 2008, Georgia leads the series 41-17-4, winning the past five meetings in a row after last losing to the Tigers in 1990.
Bowl Games
| Date |
Bowl |
W/L |
Opponent |
PF |
PA |
| January 1, 1940 |
CottonThe Cotton Bowl Classic, commonly known as the Cotton Bowl, is a United States college football bowl game that was played annually since 1937 at its namesake stadium in Dallas, Texas. On February 27, 2007, it was announced that the game will move to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, beginning...
|
W |
Boston CollegeThe Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
|
6 |
3 |
| January 1, 1949 |
Gator The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the sixth oldest college bowl, held continuously since 1946. Its current full name is the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl after its present sponsor, Konica...
|
W |
MissouriThe Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
|
24 |
23 |
| January 1, 1951 |
Orange |
W |
MiamiThe Miami Hurricanes football program, sometimes referred to as "The U", represents the University of Miami in interscholastic college football competition. The team competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The program began in 1926...
|
15 |
14 |
| January 1, 1952 |
Gator |
L |
Miami |
0 |
14 |
| January 1, 1957 The 1957 college football season saw two different national champions. Auburn University was ranked first in the AP writers' poll taken at season's end, while Ohio State University was first in the UPI coaches' poll...
|
Orange |
L |
ColoradoThe Colorado Buffaloes football team represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in the Big 12 Conference at the NCAA Division I-A level in college football. Dan Hawkins has been the head coach since the 2006 season. The football team has played at Folsom Field since 1923. The Buffs...
|
21 |
27 |
| January 1, 1959 The 1958 college football season was the first to feature the two point conversion. On January 13, 1958, the 11-man NCAA Rules Committee unanimously approved a resolution to allow teams to choose between kicking an extra point after a touchdown, or running or passing from the 3 yard line for 2...
|
SugarThe Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since December 2, 1934, and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009...
|
L |
LSULSU IS #1 BABY WE R GOIN TO THE SHIP Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005...
|
0 |
7 |
| December 19, 1959 |
Bluebonnet The Bluebonnet Bowl was an annual college football bowl game played in Houston, Texas. A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held at Rice Stadium from 1959 through 1967, and again in 1985 and 1986. The game was...
|
W |
TCUThe TCU Horned Frogs football team is the interscholastic football team at Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Frogs have won two national championships and fourteen conference championships...
|
23 |
7 |
| December 30, 1977 |
Gator |
L |
PittsburghThe Pittsburgh Panthers football team is the interscholastic football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt". Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt has played at highest level of american football competition, now classified as the NCAA Division I...
|
3 |
34 |
| December 29, 1978 |
Gator |
W |
Ohio StateThe Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
|
17 |
15 |
| December 31, 1979 |
Peach |
L |
BaylorThe Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. The are a member of the Big 12 Conference, south division...
|
18 |
24 |
| January 1, 1982 The 1981 Division 1A Football season ended with the Clemson Tigers, unbeaten and untied, taking the national championship after a victory over traditional power Nebraska in the Orange Bowl...
|
Orange |
W |
NebraskaThe Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. The Cornhuskers are currently in their 119th season and hold an...
|
22 |
15 |
| December 21, 1985 |
IndependenceThe Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976....
|
L |
MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference.-Early history:...
|
13 |
20 |
| December 27, 1986 |
Gator |
W |
StanfordThe Stanford Cardinal football program competes in NCAA Division I-A and is a member of the Pac-10 Conference. Stanford began playing football in 1892, and its annual Big Game against Cal, also begun 1892, is one of the oldest rivalry games in college football. -Head coaches:-Bowl game...
|
27 |
21 |
| January 1, 1988 The 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami winning its second National Championship during the 80's in an Orange Bowl match-up featuring a rare #1 vs...
|
Florida Citrus The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
|
W |
Penn StatePenn State Nittany Lions football is a college football program from Penn State. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the nation...
|
35 |
10 |
| January 2, 1989 |
Florida Citrus |
W |
OklahomaThe Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The Oklahoma Sooners are a perennial powerhouse. As of 2008, ESPN ranked the Oklahoma Sooners as the most prestigious college football program since 1936...
|
13 |
6 |
| December 30, 1989 The 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami winning its third National Championship during the 80s, cementing its claim as the decade's top team, winning more titles than any other program....
|
Gator |
W |
West VirginiaThe West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. The Mountaineers head coach as of 2008 is Bill Stewart, who is the team's 32nd head coach.-History:...
|
27 |
7 |
| January 1, 1991 The 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split championship and the ensuing controversy led to the creation of the Bowl Coalition, a precursor to the Bowl Championship Series. The title was split between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets...
|
Hall of Fame |
W |
IllinoisThe Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Logos and uniforms:-All-Time Win/Loss/Tie Record:*563-513-51*See: Illinois Fighting Illini football year-by-year record...
|
30 |
0 |
| January 1, 1992 The 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split champion for the second consecutive season. Both the Miami Hurricanes and the Washington Huskies finished the season undefeated and with the top ranking in a nationally recognized poll....
|
Florida Citrus |
L |
California |
13 |
37 |
| December 31, 1993 The 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State crowned National Champions, but not without controversy.Under the Bowl Coalition, undefeated Big 8 champ and #2 ranked Nebraska hosted ACC champ and #1 ranked Florida State in the Orange Bowl...
|
Peach |
W |
KentuckyThe Kentucky Wildcats are a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-Eras :Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
|
14 |
13 |
| January 1, 1996 The 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Alliance and was a relatively calm year compared to the early 1990s.Tom Osborne led Nebraska to its second straight national title with a victory over Florida in the Fiesta Bowl....
|
Gator |
L |
SyracuseThe Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The program has one...
|
0 |
41 |
| December 28, 1996 |
Peach |
L |
LSU |
7 |
10 |
January 2, 1998The 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with a split championship for the third time in the 1990s. It was the final year under the predecessor to the Bowl Championship Series, the Bowl Alliance system...
|
Peach |
L |
AuburnThe Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference . Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium has a capacity of 87,451, ranking as the ninth-largest...
|
17 |
21 |
December 30, 1999The 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State Seminoles named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl....
|
Peach |
L |
Mississippi StateThe Mississippi State University Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. It has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124 NFL...
|
7 |
17 |
January 1, 2001The 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Oklahoma Sooners claiming their first national championship and their first conference championship since the departure of head coach Barry Switzer....
|
Gator |
L |
Virginia TechThe Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|
20 |
41 |
December 31, 2001The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
|
Humanitarian |
W |
Louisiana TechThe Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represents Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Since the Bulldogs first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an...
|
49 |
24 |
| December 23, 2002 |
TangerineThe Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida. The game was played at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida from 1990 to 2000 and is now played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando...
|
L |
Texas TechTexas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The program began in 1925 and has an overall...
|
15 |
55 |
January 2, 2004The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship.At season's end, three major conference teams finished the regular season with one loss, with only two spots available in the BCS National Championship Game...
|
Peach |
W |
TennesseeThe Tennessee Volunteers football team, is the University of Tennessee, Knoxville , NCAA Division I football team. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference.The Vols have amassed a successful tradition since their beginning in 1891...
|
27 |
14 |
December 27, 2005The 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football...
|
Champs SportsThe Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida. The game was played at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida from 1990 to 2000 and is now played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando...
|
W |
Colorado |
19 |
10 |
December 29, 2006The 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 31, 2006 and, aside from all-star exhibition games that followed, concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona, where the #2 Florida...
|
Music City The Music City Bowl is a post-season American college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played in Nashville, Tennessee, since 1998.-Site:The first Music City Bowl was played at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998...
|
L |
Kentucky |
20 |
28 |
| December 31, 2007 |
Chick-Fil-A |
L |
Auburn |
20 |
23 |
| January 1, 2009 |
Gator |
L |
NebraskaThe Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. The Cornhuskers are currently in their 119th season and hold an...
|
21 |
26 |
| Total |
31 Bowl Games |
15-16 |
|
543 |
607 |
National Championship
| Year |
Coach |
Selectors |
Record |
Bowl |
| 1981 The 1981 Division 1A Football season ended with the Clemson Tigers, unbeaten and untied, taking the national championship after a victory over traditional power Nebraska in the Orange Bowl...
|
Danny Ford Danny Lee Ford born December 19, 1947 is a former American football coach, who most notably led Clemson University as its head coach to its 1981 national football championship.-Early career:...
|
AP, Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, FACT, FB News, Football Research, FW, Helms, Litkenhous, Matthews, National Championship Foundation, NFF, NY Times, Poling, Sagarin, Sporting News, UPI |
12-0 |
Orange |
| |
1 |
Clemson finished their undefeated 1981 season with a 22-15 victory over the #4 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1982 Orange Bowl, and were voted #1 in the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) polls.
Conference Championships
| Year |
Coach |
Record |
| 1900 |
John HeismanJohn William Heisman was a prominent American football player and college football coach in the early era of the sport and is the namesake of the Heisman Trophy awarded annually to the season's best college football player.-Early life:He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Titusville,...
|
6-0 |
| 1902 |
John Heisman |
6-1 |
| 1939* |
Jess Neely Jess C. Neely was a Hall of Fame college football coach at Clemson and Rice University.He played college football at Vanderbilt 1920-22...
* |
9-1* |
| 1940 |
Frank Howard Frank J. Howard was an American college football player and coach. He played college football for Alabama and was a teammate of legendary coach Bear Bryant. After a career-ending injury, Howard joined the staff at Clemson College and became head coach in 1939...
|
6-2-1 |
| 1948 |
Frank Howard |
11-0 |
| 1956 |
Frank Howard |
7-2-2 |
| 1958 |
Frank Howard |
8-3 |
| 1959 |
Frank Howard |
9-2 |
| 1965 |
Frank Howard |
5-5 |
| 1966 |
Frank Howard |
6-4 |
| 1967 |
Frank Howard |
6-4 |
| 1978 |
Charley Pell Charley Pell was the Clemson University head football coach from 1977 through 1978 and University of Florida football coach from 1979 through 1984, credited with laying the foundation for the later success of both programs....
|
11-1 |
| 1981 |
Danny Ford Danny Lee Ford born December 19, 1947 is a former American football coach, who most notably led Clemson University as its head coach to its 1981 national football championship.-Early career:...
|
12-0 |
| 1982 |
Danny Ford |
9-1-1 |
| 1986 |
Danny Ford |
8-2-2 |
| 1987 |
Danny Ford |
10-2 |
| 1988 |
Danny Ford |
10-2 |
| 1991 |
Ken Hatfield Ken Hatfield is a former American football head coach. His last position was at Rice University, where he compiled a 55-78-1 record before resigning on , following a 1-10 season....
|
9-2-1 |
| Conference Titles: 18 |
Note: Bold years indicate outright conference titles
- Clemson isn't officially recognized the 1939 season as having claimed a conference title. Duke
Duke University's 26 varsity sports teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The name comes from the French "les Diables Bleus" or "the Blue Devils," which was the nickname given during World War I to the Chasseurs Alpins, the French Alpine light infantry...
is credited as the Southern ConferenceThe Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
champion for that season by most sources.
College Football Hall of Famers
| Inductee |
Position(s) |
Class |
Year(s) |
| Jeff Davis |
LinebackerA Linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football that was invented by football coach Fielding Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
|
2007 |
1978-1981 |
John HeismanJohn William Heisman was a prominent American football player and college football coach in the early era of the sport and is the namesake of the Heisman Trophy awarded annually to the season's best college football player.-Early life:He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Titusville,...
|
Head Coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
|
1954 |
1900-1903 |
| Frank Howard Frank J. Howard was an American college football player and coach. He played college football for Alabama and was a teammate of legendary coach Bear Bryant. After a career-ending injury, Howard joined the staff at Clemson College and became head coach in 1939...
|
Head Coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
|
1989 |
1940-1969 |
| Terry Kinard Alfred "Terry" Terance Kinard , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Giants in the 1st round of the 1983 NFL Draft. A 6'1", 200-lb...
|
Safety Safety is an American and Canadian football position played by a member of the defense. The safeties are defensive backs who line up from ten to fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage. There are two variations of the position in a typical formation, the free safety and the strong safety ....
|
2001 |
1978-1982 |
| Banks McFadden Banks McFadden was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. McFadden is widely considered to be the greatest athlete in Clemson University history, lettering in three sports . In 1939, McFadden was voted the Associated Press' "Athlete of the Year"...
|
Halfback A running back is the position of a player on an American or Canadian football team who usually lines up in the offensive backfield...
|
1959 |
1937-1939 |
| Jess Neely Jess C. Neely was a Hall of Fame college football coach at Clemson and Rice University.He played college football at Vanderbilt 1920-22...
|
Head Coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing sports men and women. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
|
1971 |
1931-1939 |
Current NFL Players
- Gaines Adams
Gaines Adams, is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers fourth overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, and was traded to the Bears on October 16th, 2009...
- Defensive EndDefensive End is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Chicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the NFC North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Charles Bennett
Charles Bennett may refer to:* Charles Bennet, 4th Earl of Tankerville, cricket pioneer, * Charles Bennett , British track and field athlete, most notable for 1500m events* Charles Bennett...
- Defensive EndDefensive End is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Tennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the then-Houston, Texas, team began play in 1960 as a...
- Brian Dawkins
Brian Patrick Dawkins is an American football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
- SafetySafety is an American and Canadian football position played by a member of the defense. The safeties are defensive backs who line up from ten to fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage. There are two variations of the position in a typical formation, the free safety and the strong safety ....
, Denver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently a member of the American Football Conference Western Division in the National Football League . The Broncos began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League and joined...
- Nick Eason
Nicholas Eason is an American football defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson....
- Defensive EndDefensive End is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Pittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are currently a member of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Dustin Fry
Dustin W. Fry is an American football center who is a practice squad player for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- CenterCenter is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
, Cleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are an American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They play in the AFC North division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . The original Cleveland Browns began play in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
- Jamaal Fudge
Jamaal Fudge is an American football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Clemson.-Early years:...
- SafetyIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, Atlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are currently a member of the NFC South division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Falcons joined the NFL in 1965 as an expansion team...
- Leroy Hill
Leroy Hill, Jr. is an American football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. He played high school football in Milledgeville, GA for the Baldwin High School Braves...
- LinebackerA Linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football that was invented by football coach Fielding Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Seattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington, USA. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joined the NFL in 1976 as...
- Tye Hill
John Tye Hill is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- CornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Atlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are currently a member of the NFC South division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Falcons joined the NFL in 1965 as an expansion team...
- Justin Miller - Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, Oakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team in the NFL based in the city of Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Phillip Merling
Phillip Blaine Merling is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson....
- Defensive EndDefensive End is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Miami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a professional football team based in the Miami, Florida metropolitan area. They play home games at Land Shark Stadium, in the suburb of Miami Gardens. They are headquartered at the Miami Dolphins Training Facility in Davie, Florida. The Dolphins belong to the Eastern...
- Trevor Pryce
Trevor W. Pryce is an American football defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens. Pryce played college football at the University of Michigan before transferring to Clemson University...
- Defensive EndDefensive End is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Baltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They compete in the AFC North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Chansi Stuckey
Chansi V. Stuckey is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Wide ReceiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, New York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the Northeastern New Jersey part of the tri-state New York metropolitan area. They are members of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays its home games in East...
- Anthony Waters
Anthony Waters is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson....
- LinebackerA Linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football that was invented by football coach Fielding Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, San Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are an American Professional Football team based in San Diego, California. They are currently members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . The club began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League...
- Charlie Whitehurst
Charlie David Whitehurst is a third-string quarterback for the National Football League's San Diego Chargers. While playing college football at Clemson University Whitehurst became the first quarterback to go 4-0 in the rivalry between Clemson and the University of South Carolina, including the...
- QuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the center, in the middle of the offensive line. Quarterbacks are the leaders of the offensive team, responsible for calling the play in the huddle...
, San Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are an American Professional Football team based in San Diego, California. They are currently members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . The club began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League...
- James Davis
-People:In sport:* James B. Davis , American musician* Jim Davis , baseball pitcher* Jim Davis , American basketballer* James Davis , NFL cornerback and safety...
- Running BackA running back is the position of a player on an American or Canadian football team who usually lines up in the offensive backfield...
, Cleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are an American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They play in the AFC North division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . The original Cleveland Browns began play in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...