Offseason stories: Oddsmakers expect Clemson to be back in playoffs

Clemson football is already gearing up for the 2022 season and it’s looking much better than most people might've guessed a few months ago.

The Tigers won their final six games, including the Cheez-It Bowl against Iowa State, and will take the longest winning streak among Power Five conference teams into the new year. They finished No. 14 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 16 by USA Today.

Oddsmakers believe Clemson will return to the College Football Playoffs along with Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who struggled much of the year and threw more interceptions than touchdowns, is also considered a bounce-back candidate. He is listed among the expected Heisman Trophy contenders.

In a few other stories since the bowl game, nine of the 11 players who left Clemson for the transfer portal have found homes, cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. declared himself eligible for the NFL draft and the Tigers brought in defensive line coach Nick Eason as the highest-paid non-coordinator on the staff.

There is much more to come as the Tigers head closer to spring practice.

- Todd Shanesy

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Offseason stories: Oddsmakers expect Clemson to be back in playoffs