The 25 best players in Clemson football history

One of Clemson's first true football stars, McFadden is also among three Tigers to have their jersey number (No. 66) retired by the school. A three-sport standout at Clemson, McFadden was a halfback, punter and played defense for the Tigers. He was part of the school's first team to play in a bowl game (1940 Cotton Bowl). Known as "The Great," McFadden was a star during the days of the single-wing offense but might have been at his best punting the football. His average of 43.5 yards per punt from 1939 stood as a school record for 40 years. McFadden was the first Clemson player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Before Cunningham won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he earned All-American status twice while starring for the Tigers during the first half of the 1970s. Perhaps more importantly, he was the first black athlete at Clemson to claim All-American honors in 1974, when he posted career highs for catches (24), receiving yards (391), and touchdowns (seven). During his three seasons at Clemson, Cunningham totaled 64 receptions for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns.

To the casual, middle-aged football fan, Bostic is likely best known for his time starring with the Washington Redskins. However, he's still considered one of the true legends of Clemson football. Bostic, who shared some of his time as a Tiger with younger brother, Jeff, was a two-time All-American (1977, '78). He was a big reason that the '78 squad ranked sixth in the nation averaging 296.5 rushing yards. Joe Bostic was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

Compared to some of the Tigers' most recent star receivers, Butler's statistics don't stand out. However, along with the Bostics, Butler was one of the Tigers' best players on a string of poor teams. That changed in 1977, and especially 1978, when the Tigers went 11-1 and won the ACC title, thanks in part to Butler, who set then-school records with 58 receptions and 908 receiving yards. During that '77 campaign, Butler made what's considered the greatest catch in the history of Clemson football. His backward-diving grab in the final minute to beat rival South Carolina. For his Clemson career, Butler caught 135 passes for more than 2,100 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Another on the short list of Clemson to have his uniform retired (No. 4), Fuller ranks 10th on the school's all-time list with 4,359 passing yards. He's also among the top 15 for career completions (287) and touchdowns (22). The ACC Player of the Year in both 1977 and '78, Fuller started 27 consecutive games for the Tigers. Like teammate Jerry Butler, Fuller, who was on the throwing end of that memorable catch from his teammate against South Carolina in 1977, was a big reason Clemson went from a bottom dweller in the ACC to league champion.

Another one of the four Tigers to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Davis was a beast of a defender for Clemson during the late 1970s and into the '80s. One of the stars on the first Tigers' team to win a national championship in 1981, Davis was tabbed ACC Player of the Year that season for recording 175 total tackles. For his career at Clemson, Davis totaled 469 tackles, which ranks third in school history. He's also the school's all-time leader with 10 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

Clemson football historians, and some in and around the program, think Kinard might be the best defensive player in the history of the school. It makes sense. The two-time consensus All-American is Clemson's all-time leader with 17 interceptions. Kinard recorded six of those picks during the 1982 season. He also ranks among the school's all-time leaders in passes defended (47) and pass breakups (30). Kinard was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Following that stellar career with the Tigers, Kinard helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XXI.

Before he became an international phenomenon known as "The Refrigerator," (a nickname he got in college, FYI) with the Chicago Bears, Perry was a stellar college football player for the Tigers. He was a consensus All-American in 1983 and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in '84, when he recorded 27 tackles for loss -- which are tied for second-most in school history for a season. For his career, Perry, a member of the Tigers' 1981 national title team, ranks second among all Tigers with 60 tackles for loss and seven fumble recoveries. He's third in forced fumbles (eight) and tied for fourth in sacks (27).

William wasn't the only member of the Perry family to star for the Tigers football team. Michael Dean Perry was the ACC Player of the Year in 1987 when he posted 24 tackles for loss. Perry's 28 career sacks were a school record that stood for more than 25 seasons. That said, Perry is still Clemson's all-time leader with 61 tackles for loss. Though his older brother was a cult hero of sorts in the NFL, Michael Dean had to be the better individual career, earning five First-Team All-Pro selections with the Cleveland Browns and six Pro Bowl nods.

Woolford came to Clemson to play running back but eventually made his way to the other side of the ball. On defense, Woolford established himself, arguably, as the greatest cornerback in Tigers' history. A consensus All-American and Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Woolford is the school's career leader with 54 passes defended and 44 pass breakups. His 10 career interceptions rank among the leaders in the annals of Tigers' football. Woolford was also among the nation's top punt returners during his time at Clemson, where he averaged 15.5 yards per return and took two back for touchdowns in 1987.

Dawkins laid the foundation for his Hall of Fame NFL career with an exceptional run with the Tigers. In addition to ranking among Clemson's career leaders with 11 interceptions, Dawkins recorded more than 240 tackles. Though Dawkins only earned second-team All-American honors from The Associated Press in 1995, he was a first-team All-ACC selection that season. In a show of how well he was respected as a person, Clemson created the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 to honor a Tiger annually, for his play on the field, as an overall leader, and commitment to the community.

There are those close to the Clemson football program who believe Priester might be the greatest running back in school history. Though the average college football fan might have a hard time remembering this talented Tigers back. Priester topped the 1,300-yard rushing mark in both 1995 and '96. For his career, Priester ran for 3,966 yards -- second-most in school history and among the top 15 all-time in the annals of ACC football. He's also Clemson's all-time leader in carries (805) and finished his college career with 21 rushing touchdowns. 

Simmons made an immediate impact pretty much from the moment he stepped on the Clemson campus. He has the distinction of being the first defensive player to be named UPI Freshman of the Year -- in 1995 when he totaled 105 tackles. The three-time All-ACC First Team selection, Simmons ranks second in Clemson history with 486 total tackles. His 178 tackles during the 1996 season are the second-most by any Tiger for a single season. Simmons also recorded 52 tackles for loss during his career with the Tigers.

Outside of Death Valley, Adams might be a forgettable name and sadly, he died in 2010, at age 26, due to a previously undetected heart condition. Adams, however, enjoyed a career at Clemson that has not been forgotten. He posted 28 career sacks, which are tied with the aforementioned Michael Dean Perry for second in school history. His 12 1/2 from 2006, when he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American, are tied for fourth most during a season.

The most-recent Tiger to have his uniform number (No. 28). Spiller was the ACC Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 2009, when he rushed for 1,271 yards with 12 touchdowns and also caught 36 passes for 503 yards with four TDs. One of the most versatile offensive threats in college football history, Spiller is Clemson's career leader with 7,588 all-purpose yards. He is fourth in school history with 3,547 rushing yards and sixth with 32 touchdowns. Spiller's combined 51 rushing and receiving touchdowns rank second-most among all Tigers. He's also the most recent Clemson player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2021).

When it comes to leaving one's mark on the Clemson football record books, not many did it better than Boyd. He's the school's career leader in passing yards (11,904), attempts (1,402), completions (901), and passing touchdowns (107) spanning 47 games for the Tigers. Boyd was the ACC Player of the Year and an All-American in 2012 when he set career highs for yards (3,896) and touchdowns (36), and also led the Tigers to an 11-2 record and victory over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Boyd's 133 combined passing and rushing touchdowns are the most in Clemson history.

Hopkins got better in each of his three seasons at Clemson, which ultimately paved the way for him to become one of the NFL's best receivers in recent years. At least when healthy. During his time with the Tigers, Hopkins posted 206 receptions (fourth-most in school history), 3,020 yards (ranked second all-time) and is tied for the career Clemson record with 27 receiving touchdowns. His 82 catches from 2012 rank second for a single season at the school.

A two-time first-team All-American, Watkins put together two of the greatest receiving seasons in Clemson history. His 101 receptions and 1,464 receiving yards from 2013 are both school records. That came after he caught 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011. Meanwhile, Watkins' 18 receiving TDs in 2012 are also a single-season school record. For his career, Watkins is Clemson's all-time leader with 3,391 receiving yards and tied for first with 27 touchdowns while second in career receptions (240).

One of college football's most fierce pass rushers, Beasley is Clemson's all-time leader with 33 sacks. His 13 from 2013, are third-most at Clemson for a single season, while the 12 he recorded in 2014, are tied for sixth. Beasley also ranks fourth on the Tigers' career tackles-for-loss list with 52 1/2. He also forced seven fumbles as a Tiger. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, Beasley was named a two-time consensus All-American (2013, '14).

Watson's professional career has been marred by controversy. But for Clemson, Watson was one of the most dynamic football players this century. A consensus All-American and ACC Player of the Year in 2015, Watson won the Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards (2015, '16) and helped the Tigers win the national championship in 2016. He ranks second in school history with 10,163 passing yard and tied for second with 90 passing touchdowns. Watson is Clemson's all-time leader with a 67.4 completion percentage, and his 116 combined passing and rushing touchdowns are second.

From suburban Atlanta, Hyatt became the first Clemson true freshman to open a season as the starter at left tackle since 1944. When his career with the Tigers came to end, Hyatt had the school record for most starts at offensive tackle (57), and career snaps played (3,754). Checking in at 6-foot-5 and more than 300 pounds, Hyatt was a member of two national championship squads, a three-time first-team All-ACC pick, and a unanimous All-American (2018). 

The epitome of a team player, Wilkins was part of two national championship teams (2016, '18) and a mainstay on some stellar defensive lines for the Tigers. When it comes to career statistics (15 1/2 sacks, 40 1/2 tackles for loss, 15 passes deflected), Wilkins' numbers don't jump off the page, but he was still a dominant force during his four seasons at Clemson. He was a three-time All-American and a unanimous selection in 2018 when he won both the Campbell and Willis Trophies.

Maybe it's something about the surname Simmons that translates to defensive greatness for the Clemson program. This Simmons, who began his college career as a safety, is the only player in school history to win the Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker. He took home that award in 2019 when he totaled 104 tackles, including 16 1/2 for loss, posted eight sacks, and intercepted three passes while also earning unanimous All-American status. A key member of Clemson's 2018 national championship squad, Simmons totaled 238 tackles and 28 1/2 for loss for his Tigers' career.

Is Etienne the best offensive player in Clemson history? There's certainly an argument to be made. He's the school's and ACC's all-time leading rusher with 4,952 yards. Etienne's 70 rushing touchdowns rank within the top 10 in NCAA history. A three-time All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year (2018, '19), Etienne rushed for 1,659 yards and 24 touchdowns to help the Tigers win the national championship for the 2018 season. He's also Clemson's career leader in yards per carry (7.2) and second for all-purpose yards (6,894).

Clemson's most recent superstar, Lawrence packed quite a bit of individual and team success into his three seasons of college football. The Tigers went 34-2 during Lawrence's career and won a national championship (2018) in his freshman season. During the College Football Playoff semifinal and title games in '18, Lawrence threw for 674 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Lawrence went on to earn ACC Player of the Year and All-American honors in 2020 and currently sits third in school history in passing yards (10,098) yards, second in completion percentage (66.6), and is tied for second with 90 touchdowns.