Clemson football’s Mount Rushmore: The faces of the Tigers’ program

Mount Rushmore has become the standard for greatness. The four presidents carved into the South Dakota mountainside, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, were chosen because of the lasting impact each had on the country. In sports, the concept has evolved into one of the most entertaining debates fans can have: If you could only pick four people to represent a team or program forever, who would they be?

For Clemson football, that’s no easy task.

The Tigers have no shortage of legendary players and coaches who helped build one of college football’s most successful programs. Some changed the trajectory of Clemson football with championships. Others rewrote the record book or left behind a legacy that still defines the program today.

There are more than four worthy candidates, and every fan’s list is bound to look a little different. After weighing accomplishments, impact and lasting legacy, these are the four figures who belong on Clemson football’s Mount Rushmore.

Dabo Swinney – Head Coach

Does it get more obvious than this? Dabo Swinney is the most important person in Clemson football’s history. In 18 seasons as the face of Clemson's program, Swinney has two national championships, nine conference titles a 187-53 record, and nearly 100 players drafted to the NFL.

Dabo Swinney resurrected the Clemson football program and brought them to heights they have never reached. He is the greatest Tiger of all time.

Frank Howard – Head Coach

In the modern day, Howard’s Rock is known better than the man, but that shouldn’t be the case. The conversation can’t go anywhere without the mention of Howard.

Howard finished with a 165-118-12 record, won six ACC championships and led Clemson to six bowl appearances, remarkable accomplishments for the era.

While Swinney gets a ton of deserved credit, Howard is more closely tied to the true rise of Clemson football. Few coaches leave such an impact decades after their retirement such as Howard did for Clemson.

Trevor Lawrence – Quarterback

Clemson’s golden boy, Trevor Lawrence, is one of the best quarterbacks in college football’s history. He had the best freshman campaign ever, leading the Tigers to a National Championship win in 2018, and is genuinely one win away against LSU in another National Championship away from being considered by many the greatest of all time.

Lawrence went 34-2 as a starter at Clemson, never losing a regular season game in orange and white. He threw for 10,098 passing yards, 90 passing touchdowns, and just 17 interceptions, while adding 943 rushing yards and 18 touches on the ground. A complete player, he ended up being the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Deshaun Watson – Quarterback

Deshaun Watson’s overall legacy is far more complicated today than it once was. Even so, his impact on Clemson football remains undeniable.

Watson returned the Tigers to the top of the mountain, leading the team to their first National Championship win since 1981. How did he do it? Against the best dynasty of all time in Alabama, led by the greatest college football coach of all time in Nick Saban. Who had the upper hand over Nick Saban at his best? Dabo Swinney and Deshaun Watson.

Watson threw for 10,163 yards and 90 career touchdowns while being one of the most dangerous dual threat quarterbacks a in the game. He won the 2016 National Championship and had a 32-3 record as a starter.

Where Clemson ranks among all-time best college football programs

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— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) July 21, 2026

Honorable Mentions

• Danny Ford – Head Coach
• Steve Fuller – Quarterback
• C.J. Spiller – Running Back
• Banks McFadden APB

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football’s Mount Rushmore: The faces of the Tigers’ program