CLEMSON – The Clemson Insider continues its dive into the Atlantic Coast Conference opponents Clemson will match up against in the 2024 season.

The second weekend set in ACC play will be against the Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers will host them at Doug Kingsmore Stadium from March 22-24.

COACHING

Head Coach Link Jarrett, in his second season, looks to lead the Seminoles back to the NCAA tournament after being left out in 2023. Jarrett comes from Notre Dame where he led the Fighting Irish to an NCAA Super Regional and a College World Series appearance during his three-year tenure.

ABOUT THE SEMINOLES

Florida State finished last season 23-31 (9-21 ACC, 7th Atlantic Division) while missing the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament for the first time. The Seminoles won only two of their 10 ACC conference series while being swept in three of them – Virginia, Miami and NC State. FSU opens up its season against Butler University and will start ACC play against Jarrett’s former school, Notre Dame.

PITCHING STAFF

Cameron Leiter, a UCF transfer who made 14 starts as a true freshman while going 4-2 with a 4.92 ERA, will look to step into a huge weekend role. An athletic 6-foot-5 righty who can ramp it up to 96 MPH with an above-average slider at 86, Jarrett said of Leiter, “He’s got a chance to be a frontline guy, I think.”

Gavin Adams, another transfer from Indian River Junior College, will look to claim the other weekend spot. He comes in at 6-foot-4 with a 94-97 MPH heater that Jarrett says can touch 100.

POSITION PLAYERS

Florida State took to the transfer portal to add some thump to their lineup but looks to build around junior returners James Tibbs (.338/.471/.682, 17 HR) and Jaime Ferrer (.324/.369/.533, 22 doubles).

Sophomore third baseman Cam Smith exploded in the Cape Cod League after struggling in his freshman campaign with 66 strikeouts to 21 walks. He was one of the top options in the Cape hitting .341 with six homers, which are very impressive numbers for a young guy like himself.

Two transfer options to make an impact this season are Alex Lodise (2B)  from North Florida who hit .305/.367/.605 with 16 homers, and Drew Faurot (SS) who hit 15 homers as a freshman at UCF last season, but came with 78 strikeouts in 246 plate appearances.