The reach of Clemson athletics goes far and wide, with many recognizing the Tigers’ iconic logo and colors. As a Clemson student, there are a few must-know names that represent the orange and purple in a variety of sports.
Cade Klubnik — quarterback, football
If you can only remember one name from Clemson’s 19 NCAA Division I sports teams, it should be Cade Klubnik. The gunslinger donning the No. 2 jersey with the school’s name across his chest returns to the helm for his senior season this fall. Klubnik enters the season with high expectations for his team and himself, a polar opposite from a year ago. The potential first-overall pick in next year’s NFL draft is coming off a season where he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions, which led his squad to a College Football Playoff appearance. This season, the expectations are even higher, and the senior quarterback will work to put himself in Clemson and college football history by becoming a national champion.
Dabo Swinney — head coach, football
There is no question about it: Swinney remains one of the most recognizable faces at Clemson and in the college football world as a whole. Swinney, the winningest coach in ACC history, stepped into the role of head coach in 2008 after serving as an assistant. In his tenure for the Tigers, Swinney brought Clemson to the top of the college football world with two national championships on top of winning nine ACC championships.
Entering his 18th year leading the Tigers, Swinney seems to have no intentions of slowing down.
Mike Noonan — head coach, soccer
Along with Swinney, Noonan is another must-know name as a coach this fall season. Noonan returns for his 16th year as the head coach for Clemson United. During his time, Noonan has transformed Clemson into a national powerhouse, winning two national championships in 2021 and 2023.
Noonan will look to help continue his squad’s dominance in 2025.
Hannah Clark — gymnastics
Many people in the class of 2028 spent their first year of college finding a new friend group, learning to live on their own and adjusting to college life, but Clark dominated Clemson’s headlines and became a household name for her athletic ability.
Clark’s performance earned her tremendous recognition, as she was placed on the ACC Newcomer Watch List, the All-ACC Tournament Team in bars and the NCAA Individual Selection in bars. Clark will likely be the face of Clemson gymnastics for years to come.
Wahabu Musah — forward, soccer
Musah is another athlete who became a household name after his freshman season. The Ghana native played in 21 games for Clemson United, where he found the back of the net six times and assisted his teammates four times. Musah will be a key piece if the Tigers want to match their success from 2021 and 2023 to become national champions once again.
Erik Bakich — head coach, baseball
Bakich became Clemson’s 28th skipper in 2023, joining a long line of iconic baseball coaches for the Tigers. Bakich was up for the task, bringing home an ACC championship in his first year at the helm.
Under Bakich, the Tigers have consistently been recognized as one of the top teams in the nation. Given the Tigers’ success under Bakich, hopes are high that we will see the Tigers in Omaha sometime in the near future.
