Xavier Thomas
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

Army defenders stop Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet (24) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. Michigan won 24-21 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: LSU's masterpiece, Michigan's mess

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 08, 2019 01:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2019, file photo, Clemson players huddle before the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, in Santa Clara, Calif. For the first time, the defending national champion Tigers are No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 presented by Regions Bank, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Swinney: No. 1 Clemson to play several new faces on D-line

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 27, 2019 02:43 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, in Santa Clara, Calif. Sure, Clemson lost all four of its “Power Rangers” defensive line and seven starters on defense from its title team. But the Tigers’ offense, led by Heisman Trophy candidates quarterback Trevor Lawrence and tailback Travis Etienne, looks ready to operate at an even higher level than a year ago when it averaged 527 yards and 44.3 points a game. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Clemson poised to make a run at back-to-back national titles

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 13, 2019 11:37 AM EDT

National champion Clemson opens preseason camp

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 02, 2019 08:57 PM EDT
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has turned the page on last year's national championship. He believes his players have done the same. ...

FILE - In this April 6, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass during Clemson's annual Orange and White NCAA college football spring scrimmage in Clemson, S.C. Clemson’s defense was a big reason why the Tigers won a second national championship in three seasons. Now that unit has massive holes to fill after losing its entire front to the NFL, along with three key linebackers and two members of the secondary _ and that could mean the Tigers have to win shootouts behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence to stay on top. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Clemson needs to fill major holes on defensive line

By Pete Iacobelli Jul. 16, 2019 04:24 PM EDT

14 ACC players who could break out during fall camp

By The Associated Press Apr. 18, 2019 11:08 AM EDT
A look at football players in the Atlantic Coast Conference this spring who are poised to break out this fall: ATLANTIC DIVISION BOSTON...