Clemson plays eight bowl teams who finished with winning records in 2017 according to the 2018 football schedule. The slate also includes a pair of non-conference games against SEC teams for the eighth time in the last nine years.
The Tigers play their second game of the season on Sept. 8 at Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. This is Clemson’s first time playing the Aggies since 2005.
Here is a sneak peak at the 2018 Texas A&M Aggies:
Who: Texas A&M – September 8, 2018 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
Last meeting: Clemson defeated Texas A&M 25-24 on September 9, 2005 in Clemson.
Last season: Under former head coach Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M finished 7-6 and lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Coaching staff: Texas A&M will look quite different this year after firing Kevin Sumlin and hiring former Florida State Seminoles’ head coach Jimbo Fisher as the Aggies’ head coach on a 10-year, $75 million contract. Fisher is bringing in a few new faces: Offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey, defensive coordinator Mike Elko, tight ends coach Tim Brewster, wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig, running backs coach Jay Graham, and defensive tackles coach Elijah Robinosn. Offensive line coach Jim Turner and defensive ends coach Terry Price were retained under Fisher. Jerry Schmidt was added as the Aggies strength and conditioning coach.
Returning: Luckily for Texas A&M, it will get back most of its players who started in the Belk Bowl. The Aggies’ rising sophomore quarterback Nick Starkel will be returning next season, and he will most likely be the reason if Texas A&M make a run in the SEC West or not. Key cog’s of the 2017 front seven will be returning for the 2018 season as well as two of the Aggies best defensive backs, Clifford Chatman and Donovan Wilson (Chatman was ineligible, Wilson took a medical redshirt in ’17). Nick Harvey, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last spring, will also be returning. Top-SEC linebacker Tyrel Dodson, too, returns.
Additions: Fisher currently has 14 recruits (10 signees) in the Aggies 2018 class. Six are 4-star players. They are currently ranked No. 35 in the nation and 10th in the SEC. They include: Offensive tackle Colten Blanton, safety Jordan Moore, wide receiver Caleb Chapman, tight end Jace Sternberger, and defensive end Max Wright.
Subtractions: Armani Watts will be a big loss for Texas A&M as he started all four seasons at safety. He was selected as First-Team All-SEC and should be drafted in just a few months. Another loss will be wide receiver Christian Kirk who had 2,856 yards receiving with 26 touchdowns in three seasons. Wideouts Christian Kirk and Damion Ratley, tight Tanner Schorp, and defensive end Jarrett Johnson will also be leaving.
—Photo Credit: C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports