JUST IN: Gamecocks, Clemson rank high in ‘way too early’ college football polls for …..

National writers already have high hopes for Clemson and South Carolina football in the 2025 season. Both Palmetto State schools are ranked in the Top 25 as ESPN and The Athletic released their “way too early” polls following Monday’s national championship game. The Tigers are ranked No. 7, in ESPN’s rankings, while the Gamecocks are at No. 10. Clemson is No. 5 in The Athletic’s poll, with USC slotted at No. 16. ESPN has defending champion Ohio State at No. 1. The Athletic ranks Penn State at the top. Clemson is coming off a 10-4 season in which it defeated SMU in the ACC Championship and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff for the seventh time. The Tigers have QB Cade Klubnik back along with defensive lieman Peter Woods, among others. Dabo Swinney also parted ways with defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and replaced him with Penn State’s Tom Allen. Clemson also signed three players out of the transfer portal for the first time. “They’ll undoubtedly be the team to beat in the league in 2025, with Klubnik, Williams, Woodaz, Parker, Woods and Miller all electing to return for another season,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote of the Tigers. The Gamecocks have plenty of momentum coming into next season after a 9-4 campaign that ended in a bowl game loss to Illinois. USC started off 3-3 before a six-game winning streak to end the regular season. Shane Beamer has QB LaNorris Sellers back after a breakout season last year and has been very active in the transfer portal, with additions including tailback Rahsul Faison and several players on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Shula will take over at offensive coordinator after Dowell Loggains left to become head coach at App State. “Sellers will be working under new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, and improving his pocket presence and consistency will be a priority,” Low wrote. “Rahsul Faison, who ran for 1,109 yards with eight touchdowns at Utah State in 2024, will get a chance to replace leading rusher Sanders. If Sellers improves, the Gamecocks might be an even bigger surprise in 2025.”