Division Atlantic Division Offensive scheme Multiple | 2008 record 7–6 (4–4 ACC) | |
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Conference Atlantic Coast Conference Head coach Tommy Bowden (first six games) (10th year)
Dabo Swinney (interim) (1st year) Offensive coordinator Rob Spence (first six games)
Dabo Swinney, Bill Napier (interim) | ||
The 2008 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers play their home games in Memorial Stadium.
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Preseason outlook
Following a 9–4 season in 2007, in which Clemson finished second in the ACC Atlantic Division and played in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, and with several players returning in the skill positions, many expected Clemson to be a strong candidate to win the ACC and a dark horse in the national championship picture. The Tigers' main areas of concern heading into the 2008 season was on the offensive line and linebackers. The offensive line would be very young and inexperienced heading into the season, while the linebacker corps was thinned by graduation and off-field issues. Despite these areas of concern, Clemson was tabbed as preseason favorites to win the ACC and was ranked 9th in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today preseason polls. In addition, QB Cullen Harper was tabbed as the preseason favorite for the ACC's Player of the Year.
Incoming recruiting class
Spencer Benton (K; Myrtle Beach, SC; Myrtle Beach HS), DaQuan Bowers (DE; Bamberg, SC; Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS), Stanley Hunter (LB; Duncan, SC; James F. Brynes HS), Marquan Jones (WR; Blythewood, SC; Blythewood HS), Kyle Parker (QB; Jacksonville, FL; Bartram Trail HS), Tarik Rollins (LB; Jacksonville, FL; Chaminade Madonna College Prep), Jon Richt (QB; Athens, GA; Prince Avenue Christian), Dawson Zimmerman (K; Snellville, GA; Brookwood HS), Spencer Adams (S; Matthews, NC; David W. Butler HS), Andre Ellington (RB; Moncks Corner, SC; Berkeley HS), Dalton Freeman (OL; Pelion, SC; Pelion HS), Brandon Thompson (DT; Thomasville, GA; Thomasville HS), Daniel Andrews (S; Jacksonville, FL; Trinity Christian Academy), Jaron Brown (WR; Cheraw, SC; Cheraw HS), Carlton Lewis Jr. (S; St. Augustine, FL; St. Augustine HS), Jarred Crittenton (DE; Wahpeton, ND; North Dakota State College of Science), Matt Sanders (OL; Crestview, FL; Crestview HS), Kenneth Page (OL; Columbia, SC; A.C. Flora HS), Xavier Brewer (CB; Jacksonville, FL; Bartram Trail HS); Dwayne Allen (TE; Fayetteville, NC; Terry Sanford HS); Rashard Hall (S; St. Augustine, FL; St. Augustine HS), Brandon Ford (WR; Hanahan, SC; Hanahan HS); Matt Skinner (ATH; Jacksonville, FL; The Bolles School), Jonathon Willard (LB; Loris, SC; Loris HS), Antoine McClain (OL; Anniston, AL; Anniston HS), Jamie Harper (RB; Jacksonville, FL; Trinity Christian Academy)