Clemson at Florida State: Blue-Chip Talent Comparison

When Clemson and Florida State square off in Tallahassee this weekend, it will be a matchup of two of the most talented teams in the ACC.

JP Priester | Oct 12, 2022

Jason Priester All Clemson

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For the first time since 2018, Clemson and Florida State will square off in Doak Campbell Stadium.

The No. 4 Tigers (6-0, 4-0) will be looking to win its seventh straight in the series, while also trying to extend the nation's longest active winning streak to 13 games.

The Seminoles (4-2, 2-2) have dropped two straight, the most recent coming in heartbreaking fashion, 19-17 on the road at NC State.

Blue-Chip Comparison

Quarterback

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
DJ Uiagalelei (CU)	2020/5*	1 (Pro Style)	10
Jordan Travis (FSU)	2018/3*	24 (Dual-Threat)	889

After a lot of unexpected struggles during his first season as Clemson's full-time starter, DJ Uiagalelei has bounced back in a big way. The junior quarterback is completing 64% of his passes and has thrown 14 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. Uiagalelei has also become a factor in the running game, forcing teams to respect his ability to make plays with his legs.

Jordan Travis also comes in playing at a high level, though. The Florida State offense goes as he goes. He's completing 63% of his throws and has nine touchdowns to just three interceptions. However, Travis is just as dangerous as a runner as he is as a passer, as evidenced by his 108 rushing yards in the loss to NC State.

Advantage: Clemson (Slight)

Running Back

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
Will Shipley (CU)	2022/5*	2	32
Phil Mafah	2022/4*	11	185
Treshaun Ward (FSU)	2020/3*	84	1267
Trey Benson	2020/4* (Transfer from Oregon)	21	375

With Kobe Pace out for at least the next few weeks, the Tigers' running back depth has taken a hit. However, with Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, Clemson still has one of the best one-two punches at the position. The Seminoles bring a solid stable of backs to the table, as well, with both Treshaun Ward and Trey Benson averaging over six yards per carry.

Advantage: Clemson (Slight)

Wide Reciever

Player	Class/Stars	Position	Overall
Joseph Ngata (CU)	2019/4*	9	52
Beaux Collins	2021/4*	12	86
Antonio Williams	2022/4*	6	61
Mycah Pittman (FSU)	2019/4*	15	94
Ontaria Wilson	2017/3*	75	740
Johnny Wilson	2020/4*	21	116

This game will feature blue-chip talent all over the field at wide receiver. Clemson wins out when it comes to pure talent, but Florida State has the edge when it comes to experience. Joseph Ngata and Beaux Collins give the Tigers two big bodies on the outside, while Antonio Williams provides the team with a dynamic playmaker in the slot.

Johnny Wilson, Ontraria Wilson and Mycah Pittman give the Seminoles a trio of wideouts all capable of taking the top off the defense.

Advantage: Push

Tight End

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
Davis Allen (CU)	2019/3*	39	807
Jake Briningstool	2021/4*	1	61
Carmen McDonald (FSU)	2018/4*	15	290
Wyatt Rector	2018/3* (Transfer W. Michigan)	36 (Dual-Threat QB)	1289

Carmen McDonald comes in with just eight catches on the season, but he is averaging more than 25 yards per reception, meaning Florida State doesn't use the tight end a lot, but when they do, they tend to result in explosive plays.

The Tigers come in with two tight ends capable of creating mismatch nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators, and for the first time in several years, the coaching staff is making a concerted effort to get both involved in the downfield passing game.

Advantage: Clemson

Offensive Line

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
LT Jordan McFadden (CU)	2018/3*	66	819
LG Marcus Tate	2021/4*	8	127
C Will Putnam	2019/4*	5 (OG)	101
RG Walker Parks	2020/4*	5 (OT)	50
RT Blake Miller	2022/4*	16	208
LT Robert Scott Jr (FSU)	2020/3*	39	508
LG Dillan Gibbons	2017/3* (Transfer N. Dame)	38 (OT)	374
C Maurice Smith (FSU)	2019/3*	58	1093
RG D'Mitri Emmanuel	2017/3* (Transfer Charlotte)	81	721
RT Jazston Turnetine	2020/3* (Transfer S. Carolina)	6	46

Florida State doesn't have one blue-chip talent along the offensive line, however, the Seminoles have brought in multiple transfers to help solidify a group that has vastly underwhelmed in recent seasons. This is arguably the best offensive line Florida State has had in recent memory.

On the other side, Clemson comes in with blue-chip prospects at every position but LT. That's where Jordan McFadden resides, though, a player that has undoubtedly outplayed his recruiting rankings. He is currently considered one of the best LTs in the ACC and has been named second-team ACC in each of the past two seasons.

Advantage: Clemson

Defensive Line

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
DE KJ Henry (CU)	2018/5*	3	14
DE Xavier Thomas	2018/5*	1	3
DT Bryan Bresee	2020/5*	1	1
DT Tyler Davis	2019/4*	12	137
DE Myles Murphy	2020/5*	1	7
DE Derrick McClendon II (FSU)	2019/3*	37	495
DE Fabien Lovett	2018/3* (Transfer Miss St)	18	436
NT Robert Cooper	2018/4*	9	117
FOX Dennis Briggs Jr	2018/4*	25 (DT)	324

You will be hard-pressed to find a defensive front more talented than what Clemson will field Saturday night in Tallahassee. For the first time in quite some time, Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis, Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry will all be on the field together. Even while dealing with some injuries, the Tigers have once again been stout against the run, allowing teams just 2.4 yards per carry.

Advantage: Clemson

Linebackers

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
WILL Treanton Simpson (CU)	2020/5*	1 (OLB)	26
MIKE Jeremiah Trotter Jr	2021/4*	5	37
SAM Barrett Carter	2021/5*	3	33
LB Tatum, Bethune	2019/3* (Transfer UCF)	104 (OLB)	1370
LB Kalen DeLoach	2019/4*	13 (OLB)	221

Coming into the season, Clemson might have featured the ACC's most talented group of linebackers on paper. However, there was some inexperience with Jeremiah Trotter in the middle. Trenton Simpson also had to adjust to making the move inside, and Barrett Carter, despite getting his feet wet last season, had never started a game. Six games in, though, and this group is really rounding into form. All three were all over the field last weekend and played pivotal roles in the Tigers shutting down the Boston College offense.

Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach give Florida State a solid duo of linebackers, as well. They are fast and physical. Bethune leads the team in tackles (45) and is second in tackles for loss (6.5).

Advantage: Clemson

Secondary

Player	Class/Stars	Position Rank	Overall Rank
CB Sheridan Jones (CU)	2019/4*	15	130
SS Andrew Mukuba	2021/4*	8	167
FS Jalyn Phillips	2019/3*	37	448
CB Nate Wiggins	2021/4*	7	118
CB Omarion Cooper (FSU)	2021/4*	23	285
BUCK Akeem Dent	2019/4*	7	50
FS Jammie Robinson	2019/3* (Transfer S. Carolina)	32	393
NB Kevin Knowles II	2020/3*	48	588
CB Renardo Green	2019/3*	47	486

The Tigers' corners have taken their fair share of criticism this season and through the first four games, it was warranted. However, since getting lit up by Sam Hartman in Winston Salem, this group has stepped up and played their best football of the season in the wins over NC State and Boston College. Nate Wiggins is starting to resemble the player the coaching staff raved about in fall camp and backup freshman Toriano Pride has come into his own as well.

Florida State also features a pretty stout backend. The Seminoles are allowing just 170 yards per game and are led by veteran safety Jammie Robinson, who back at the ACC Kickoff, was adamant that his team would be ready for the Tigers this season, after letting one get away from them in Death Valley last season.

"We could have beat them last year but we slipped up a couple of plays that made us lose the game," Robinson told All Clemson. "But we're gonna see them this year, we're gonna see them."

Advantage: Florida State

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