Dabo Swinney Gives Strange Report on Clemson Tigers Starters
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The Clemson Tigers have struggled to adapt in the NIL era. Since paying college football players became legal, Dabo Swinney has refused to utilize the Transfer Portal. No P4 program uses the portal less than the Clemson Tigers.
In the last five years, the Tigers have made the College Football Playoff just once. As the 2026 season approaches, Clemson opens up with LSU in Week 1. Heading into that game, Swinney gave a strange report on his starters heading into that massive matchup.
The Clemson Tigers Have No Starters According to Dabo Swinney
Swinney talked to the media and claimed that he doesn’t believe that the team has any starters heading into Week 1 against LSU.
“In my mind, we still don’t have any starters. Now, we’re gonna run some guys out there Saturday (vs. LSU). And then we’ll start to make some decisions, because we’ll have some performance.”
Swinney’s act has been getting old with some Clemson fans, and fans have been criticizing him over the last few years. However, Swinney went ahead and named his starting quarterback. He has named Christopher Vizzina as the starter for the LSU game.
Still, Swinney also believes that freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds will play, as well. That means that Vizzina might have a short leash for the opener. That goes back to Swinney’s original point that he doesn’t think the team has any locked-in starters so far.
At this point, Swinney should be confident in the players he has heading into Week 1. It seems that is not the case, so Week 1 could be a rough start to the season. Both programs are coming in facing a little bit of heat, as Lane Kiffin is under fire for trying to add NFL players.
The Clemson Tigers are not viewed as one of the teams that can contend for the ACC title. Miami is largely viewed as the favorite. Losing Week 1 would put Clemson in a big hole as they try to make the College Football Playoff, even if it wouldn’t affect their ACC standing.
Clemson Needs to Make the CFP to Keep Dabo Swinney Out of Trouble
Swinney is one of just two active coaches to have won multiple national championships. Yet, his seat is starting to warm up. The Tigers have not lived up to the expectations that he has built for the program, and fans are starting to turn on him. He needs a good season to keep that at bay.
The schedule is favorable for Clemson. Other than LSU, they only play one ranked team this year. That is Miami, and they get that game at home. A 10-2 season isn’t out of the question, which would put them in the conversation to make the College Football Playoff.
If Clemson can’t make the CFP, Swinney might reconsider his future at the program that he built.
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