Clemson enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, trying to reestablish itself as a true ACC frontrunner after an uneven 2025 campaign that fell short of Dabo Swinney’s standard in Death Valley. A 7–6 finish and a seventh-place ACC showing weren’t catastrophic by most programs’ standards, but at Clemson, they marked another frustrating season for a team with enough talent to expect more.
The Tigers showed flashes, with a competitive defense and a skill group that offered real explosiveness, but offensive inconsistency, missed opportunities, and a failure to fully leverage their roster kept them out of the conference’s top tier.
Now, with major staff changes, a new-look offense, and another wave of lackluster recruits and transfers, Clemson enters 2026 with both pressure and possibility as they return 53% of their production from last season. The roster still has enough high-end pieces to compete with anyone in the ACC, but questions at quarterback, the offensive line, and the defensive front make this one of the more intriguing and volatile Clemson teams of the Swinney era.
Quarterback – 6/10
Moving on from high-variance performer Cade Klubnik, the Tigers enter 2026 with a sense of optimism at quarterback that could quickly backfire. Christopher Vizzina, a high four-star prospect two cycles ago, will finally get his chance to be the full-time starter after backing up Klubnik for the past couple of seasons. Fellow returners Trent Pearman and Chris Denson, along with incoming four-star prospect Tait Reynolds, round out the depth in the room and offer high upside for the future beyond Vizzina. Overall, Vizzina has a high ceiling, but the question remains: will he be able to reach it?
Projected Depth Chart:
QB1: Christopher Vizzina (RS-Jr, Returner)
QB2: Trent Pearman (RS-Sr+, Returner)
QB3: Tait Reynolds (Fr, Incoming)
Running Back – 7/10
Running back was very hit-or-miss for the Tigers last season, with converted wide receiver Adam Randall serving as the lead back and still accumulating 800+ yards on more than 40% of the team’s total carries. The primary returners in the room are Gideon Davidson and David Eziomume, who are joined by SMU transfer Chris Johnson Jr. The former four-star prospect and son of NFL star running back Chris Johnson looks poised to be a real contributor to what was a lackluster group in 2025.
Projected Depth Chart:
RB1: Gideon Davidson (So, Returner)
RB2: Chris Johnson Jr (RS-Jr, SMU)
RB3: David Eziomume (RS-So, Returner)
Wide Receiver – 8/10
One of the few bright spots for the Tigers last season was the wide receiver group. The top two pass catchers, Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, return to lead the room alongside fellow returners Cole Turner and Tyler Brown. They are joined by incoming freshmen Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin, and Gordon Sellars, who help backfill and bolster the position. Of any unit to watch for the Tigers in 2026, this receiver group might be the most exciting.
Projected Depth Chart:
Starters: T.J. Moore (Jr, Returner), Bryant Wesco Jr. (Jr, Returner), Cole Turner (RS-Jr, Returner)
Rotation: Tyler Brown (RS-Jr, Returner), Gordon Sellars III (Fr, Incoming), Connor Salmin (Fr, Incoming), Naeem Burroughs (Fr, Incoming)
Tight End – 7/10
The Tigers return their top tight end options from last season, Christian Bentancur and Olsen Patt-Henry; that alone is enough to make me confident in this room for 2026.
Offensive Line – 6.5/10
One of the biggest questions for 2026 is the offensive line group charged with protecting Vizzina. The Tigers return just two of their five starters from the 2025 season, both guards Collin Sadler and Harris Sewell. Some depth chart projections have returning players rotating to different positions, so there is necessarily some speculation on my part about what the starting group could look like this fall. Here is my projected lineup:
LT: Brayden Jacobs (So, Returner), Ian Reed (RS-So, Returner)
LG: Collin Sadler (RS-Sr+, Returner), Dietrick Pennington (RS-Sr+, Returner)
C: Harris Sewell (Sr, Returner), Chapman Pendergrass (RS-Sr, Returner)
RG: Elyjah Thurmon (RS-So, Returner), Ronan O’Connell (RS-So, Returner)
RT: Mason Wade (RS-So, Returner), Easton Ware (RS-Fr, Returner)
Defensive Line – 8/10
Replacing the production of Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, DeMonte Capehart, Cade Denhoff, and Stephyilan Green is easier said than done. However, Clemson returns and adds enough talent to maintain solid production in 2026. Edge rushers Will Heldt and Jaheim Lawson are back, and they’re joined by newcomers London Merritt, Markus Strong, and CJ Wesley. I expect Vic Burley, Champ Thompson, and Amare Adams to compete for the starting defensive tackle spots, rounding out what should be a strong unit for the Tigers next season.
Projected Depth Chart:
EDGE1: Will Heldt (Sr, Returner), Darien Mayo (RS-So, Returner)
DT1: Vic Burley (RS-Jr, Returner), Markus Strong (RS-Jr, Oklahoma)
DT2: Amare Adams (So, Returner)
EDGE2: Jaheim Lawson (RS-Sr, Returner), London Merritt (So, Colorado)
Linebackers – 7.5/10
Senior leader in the linebacking corps, Wade Woodaz, has departed the program due to expired eligibility. However, the Tigers’ returning production and continuity at the position stand out when evaluating this defense. Sammy Brown, Kobe McCloud, Jeremiah Alexander, Fletcher Cothran, and Drew Woodaz are all names to watch in this room heading into 2026.
Projected Depth Chart:
WILL: Kobe McCloud (RS-Jr, Returner), Jeremiah Alexander (RS-Sr, Returner)
MIKE: Sammy Brown (Jr, Returner), Fletcher Cothran (RS-Sr, Returner)
Defensive Backs – 8/10
Avieon Terrell, Ricardo Jones, and Khalil Barnes are the most notable names leaving this Tigers program, but their depth and additions excite me. Ashton Hampton, Branden Strozier, Ronan Hanafin, Corian Gipson, and Kylon Griffin are all coming back with significant game time from last season. Additions of Corey Myrick, Jerome Carter, Elliot Washington II, and Donovan Starr all have high upside or proven production at their previous schools.
Projected Depth Chart:
CB1: Elliot Washington II (Sr, Penn State), Branden Strozier (RS-Jr, Returner)
CB2: Ashton Hampton (Jr, Returner), Donovan Starr (So, Auburn)
SS: Corey Myrick (Jr, Southern Miss), Ronan Hanafin (Sr, Returner)
FS: Jerome Carter III (Jr, Old Dominion), Kylon Griffin (Sr, Returner)
NICKEL: Corian Gipson (RS-So, Returner), Misun Kelley (RS-Jr, Returner)
Coaching Staff – 7/10
The coaching changes are substantial enough to shape Clemson’s entire season. After dismissing Garrett Riley and Mickey Conn, Swinney brought back Chad Morris as offensive coordinator. He also promoted Tajh Boyd to quarterbacks coach, hired Nolan Turner to coach the safeties, added Corico Wright to work with the nickelbacks, and brought in Rich Bisaccia in March as special teams coordinator. This isn’t a cosmetic move — it’s a meaningful staff reset following a seven-win season. If Clemson improves in 2026, this overhaul will likely be the primary reason. If the Tigers stall, it will suggest the reset didn’t solve the quarterback and offensive line issues quickly enough, and Dabo Swinney may be on the hot seat going into 2027.
Notable Matchups in 2026:
at LSU (9/5)
at California (9/25)
vs Miami (10/3)
vs Virginia Tech (10/24)
at Florida State (10/31)
vs Georgia Tech (11/14)
vs South Carolina (11/28)
