Xavier Thomas
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) is tackled by Louisville linebacker C.J. Avery (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Clemson at Louisville 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 09:03 PM EDT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney arrives for a Tiger Walk to greet fans before an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Boston College at Clemson 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 06:15 PM EDT

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) hands off the ball to running back Ty Chandler during an NCAA college football practice in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No. 3 Tigers look to extend ACC run with 7th straight title

By Aaron Beard Aug. 26, 2021 11:38 AM EDT

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei answers a question during an NCAA college football news conference at the Atlantic Coast Conference media days in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, July 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
New QB DJ Uiagalelei expects to keep No. 3 Clemson on top

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 18, 2021 10:32 AM EDT

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney fist bumps defensive tackle Jordan Williams (59) after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
No. 1 Clemson dealing with rash of injuries on defense vs BC

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 29, 2020 11:35 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by the Clemson defense during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The crunching hits, game-changing interceptions and dominating defense is the same for No. 1 Clemson. It's just the names that change from year to year. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
No. 1 Clemson has new faces on defense and still dominating

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 20, 2020 03:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches players warm up for the team's Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz. The top-ranked Tigers are 29-1 over the past two seasons and have won five straight ACC championships. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
No. 1 Clemson, QB Lawrence prep for another championship run

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 01, 2020 11:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Allen Reeves Football Complex in Clemson, S.C. Clemson came up short of a national title last January, but are one of the frontrunners to capture the crown in whatever season college football is able to fashion amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, File)
Clemson's Swinney: "Awesome" to return to field amid virus

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 06, 2020 08:23 PM EDT

The Latest: Saints have two on COVID-19 reserve list.

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:37 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The New Orleans Saints have...

North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren watches his team play Wake Forest in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Wake Forest won 44-10. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
No. 4 Clemson continues playoff push with trip to NC State

By Aaron Beard Nov. 08, 2019 10:15 AM EST

Clemson's Amari Rodgers (3) scores a touchdown while defended by Wofford's Keyvaun Cobb during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
No. 4 Clemson routs Wofford 59-14 for 24th straight victory

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 02, 2019 07:25 PM EDT

Clemson starting DE Thomas to miss game against Wofford

Nov. 02, 2019 01:36 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson starting defensive end Xavier Thomas is expected to miss a third consecutive game since suffering a concussion at practice last...

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence rushes on a quarterback keeper during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Wofford coach knows what it's like to win at Clemson

By Pete Iacobelli Nov. 01, 2019 10:10 AM EDT

Boston College head coach Steve Addazio watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
No. 4 Clemson faces BC looking for its 23rd win in a row

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 25, 2019 07:48 PM EDT

Clemson's Xavier Thomas likely back for Boston College game

Oct. 21, 2019 01:57 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas is expected to return this week from concussion protocol when the No. 4 Tigers play Boston College. ...

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
No. 2 Clemson pounds Florida St 45-14 for 21st straight win

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 12, 2019 07:23 PM EDT

North Carolina's Sam Howell (7) gets stopped on a two-point conversion by Clemson's James Skalski (47) and Xavier Thomas (3) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
All-America Watch: No. 2 Clemson reloads on D-line

By Pete Iacobelli Oct. 08, 2019 02:45 PM EDT

North Carolina's Sam Howell (7) passes during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Clemson in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
No. 1 Clemson stops 2-point conversion, beats North Carolina

By Aaron Beard Sep. 28, 2019 06:54 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) leaps into the air for his fourth touchdown reception well ahead of coverage from Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Clemson stops 2-point try to beat North Carolina

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2019 04:53 PM EDT