Clemson Wraps Up 'Productive' Spring Practice

The Clemson Tigers concluded their spring practice with a spring game last weekend, providing Head Coach Dabo Swinney with valuable insights ahead of the 2026 season. Swinney noted significant differences between this year’s team and the 2025 roster, particularly in terms of athleticism and physicality.

Defensive Improvements Highlight Spring Performance

Enhanced Physicality and Transfer Impact

“Well, we’re long. We can run,” Swinney stated. “It’s a physical group; it’s been a physical spring. These guys have taken to that. Nobody’s shied away from that.” The defensive improvements are largely attributed to the addition of nine players via the transfer portal in January, significantly remodeling the secondary.

Swinney described the new defensive group as “way better,” contributing to a dominant 23-3 victory for Team Orange, comprised primarily of first-team players. He emphasized, “We’re much improved defensively,” adding, “Much improved from any point in time last year, and so that was really encouraging to see throughout the spring.”

Linebacker Progress

The linebackers also demonstrated considerable growth, being “in a totally different place” compared to the previous spring. Despite concerns about depth, Swinney expressed confidence in the core group’s ability to succeed next season.

Offensive Adjustments and Development

New Scheme Learning Curve

The offensive side of the ball faced a learning curve with the implementation of a new scheme. Swinney acknowledged this, stating, “We’re just better across the board defensively, and then offensively, a lot of learning, and we got better and better and better and better as the spring went.”

Underclassmen Stepping Up

Several key skill position players were unavailable for much of the spring. Swinney likened the practicing players to “Pintos and Chevys” at the start of spring, evolving to “Malibus” by the end, but still needing development before reaching “Ferrari” status. He noted, “We got work to do.”

Looking Ahead to the Season Opener

Despite the work remaining, Swinney deemed the spring practice “productive.” The Tigers will continue preparations for their season opener against LSU on September 5th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He concluded, “Again, we’re a long way, we got a lot of work to do, and a long way to go to be game ready, but it was productive. It was a very productive spring.”