Mitch Hyatt
Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Wrapping up 2018 with eye toward 2019

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:30 PM EST

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson offensive line confident it could succeed vs Tide

By Michael Wagaman Jan. 08, 2019 01:58 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Clemson's Clelin Ferrell (99) rushes into the backfield during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern in Clemson, S.C. Clemson’s defensive line came into the season with a ton of hype after Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and Ferrell all bypassed the chance to go to the NFL after 2017. Ferrell, an explosive pass rusher, has the most NFL upside. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Bama-Clemson loaded with NFL draft picks along D-line

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 02:40 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (42) warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game between Georgia Tech and Clemson, in Atlanta. Wilkins is grateful for the journey he has taken during his final college season. But he says he hasn’t reached his destination yet. The second-ranked Tigers take on No. 1 Alabama for the national title on Monday night, Jan. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Jon Barash, File)
Clemson's NFL prospects step closer to championship goals

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 03, 2019 01:56 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2018, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Georgia, in Atlanta. Alabama coach Nick Saban showed he’s perfectly capable of derring-do in Alabama’s past two national championship game wins. Last season, he brought in freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the second half to rally the Crimson Tide from a 13-0 deficit against Georgia, benching two-year starter Jalen Hurts. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
Gutsy calls by a gambling Nick Saban have turned title games

By John Zenor Jan. 03, 2019 01:00 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) sets to pass during team practice at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. Clemson is scheduled to play Notre Dame in the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff Saturday. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Notre Dame in playoff after QB switches

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 27, 2018 02:42 AM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raises the trophy after Clemson won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Charlotte, N.C. Swinney, in his 10th year at Clemson, like most coaches is a stickler for hard work. But he also is keen on celebrating success. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
The Dabo Way: Swinney keeps mood light at surging Clemson

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 24, 2018 02:20 AM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Clemson's Travis Etienne (9) runs past Pittsburgh's Dennis Briggs (20) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. Clemson plays Notre Dame on Dec. 29 in in college football playoff semifinal in Arlington, Texas. Etienne has 1,463 yards on 176 rushes (8.3 per carry) and 21 of Clemson’s 46 touchdowns on the ground. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Playoff: Notre Dame defense preparing for prolific Tigers

By John Fineran Dec. 22, 2018 03:03 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Clemson offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt (75) works against Georgia Tech during the first half of a game in Atlanta. Hyatt was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Jon Barash, mFile)
Clemson begins preparations to face Notre Dame in playoffs

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 12, 2018 05:25 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018, file photo, Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith (15) reacts after sacking Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson (3) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship game, in Detroit. Smith was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
2018 AP All-America Team List

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2018 12:01 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) celebrates after Mississippi State place kicker Jace Christmann (47) missed a field goal-attempt during the first half of a game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thompson was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 10, 2018 12:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Clemson's Travis Etienne (9) runs for a touchdown against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. Etienne was picked as the offensive player of the year on The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference team. released Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
No. 2 Clemson dominates AP All-ACC team again with 11 Tigers

Dec. 04, 2018 12:11 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi works the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Pittsburgh. Pitt is the fourth different Coastal Division winner Clemson has faced since its championship run began in 2015. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
No. 2 Clemson settles into familiar ACC title game routine

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 27, 2018 03:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, file photo, Texas wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (84) leaps over Iowa State defensive back Richard Bowens III (17) to score a touchdown on a 27-yard pass play duinring the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas. The Sooners and Longhorns are loaded with playmakers on the outside, but the ones with the best case to be All-Americans are Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown and Texas’ Lil’Jordan Humphrey. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
AP All-America Watch: Star matchups for championship weekend

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 27, 2018 12:37 PM EST

Clemson's Travis Etienne scores a touchdown while defended by South Carolina's R.J. Roderick during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson won 56-35. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson RB Etienne leads ACC's all-conference team

Nov. 26, 2018 04:04 PM EST

Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) and teammates celebrate their 27-7 victory over Boston College in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Seniors, No. 2 Clemson seeking more milestones against Duke

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 16, 2018 10:08 AM EST

Clemson's Amari Rodgers leaps to celebrate his punt return for a touchdown against Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
No. 2 Clemson 'not done yet' after wrapping up ACC division

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 12, 2018 02:33 PM EST

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
No. 2 Clemson keeps rolling with 77-16 win over Louisville

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 03, 2018 03:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Florida State's Brian Burns, center, celebrates sacking Wake Forest's quarterback with teammates Marvin Wilson, left, and Leonard Warner during an NCAA college football game, in Tallahassee, Fla. Burns has nine sacks on the season and 7½ in the last three games. According to Pro Football Focus, Burns leads the nation in quarterback pressures with 46 on the season.(AP Photo/Steve Cannon, File)
AP All-America Watch: Sooner Heisman hopeful, FSU sackmaster

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 23, 2018 01:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This season is shaping up to be one of even greater parity in the ACC. The Tigers still have to play N.C. State, Florida State, Duke, and Boston College in their quest for another berth in the College Football Playoff. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
Clemson at Georgia Tech 9/22/2018

Oct. 10, 2018 11:42 AM EDT