Clemson Football

The college football realignment rumor mill has been abuzz this summer with Texas and Oklahoma trending toward the SEC, and one powerhouse program publicly denied its interest in the conference on Monday.

"There is no truth to the report that Clemson University has been in contact with the Southeastern Conference regarding membership," a Clemson spokesperson said, per Matt Connolly of ClemsonSports.com.

The statement came after Marc Ryan of ESPN Upstate reported that Clemson and Florida State, which are both in the ACC, "reached out to the SEC about joining the conference."

While joining the SEC would further tip the competitive balance in college football while offering the Tigers a more challenging conference slate, there are difficulties to such a potential move beyond the field.

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic pointed out Clemson is part of a grant of rights with the ACC through the 2036 campaign.

"Maybe you can sue your way out of it, but if unsuccessful, that's 15 years of TV revenue you don't get to keep," he wrote.

The idea of an SEC that already has Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn and Florida adding annual College Football Playoff contenders in Oklahoma and Clemson and traditionally strong programs in Texas and Florida State could have a domino effect in college football as other conferences look to adjust and talk of playoff expansion heats up.

For now, though, it appears as if Clemson is staying put in a conference it has recently dominated.

The Tigers have reached the last six CFPs and won two national championships in that span while reaching two more title games. It has reached the point that it is a genuine surprise if the high-profile playoff and championship contests don't feature some combination of Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State thanks to the on-field dominance of those programs.

Playing in the ACC hasn't prevented the Tigers from reaching such heights, and the school at least publicly sent a message it isn't looking to leave.

Clemson Tigers cornerback Fred Davis II surrendered to police Sunday after being charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Per that report, the Clemson Police Department said Davis was driving his Dodge Charger 115 mph "in a 55-mph speed zone when he crashed his car into the rear of a mail carrier's truck" on July 21.

The mail truck then flipped over into oncoming traffic, causing two other vehicles to crash as they tried to avoid the mail truck. The mail carrier was seriously injured in the crash.

"This willful and wanton action severely limited his ability to navigate safely through traffic and caused Davis to lose control of his vehicle prior to the collision," Clemson police said in a statement. "The injuries the mail carrier sustained in this crash are severe and will require months or longer for recovery."

While South Carolina law does not currently allow for increased penalties in reckless driving cases that result in severe injury, Schlabach noted that such a bill is being considered in the state legislature. 

Clemson Police Chief Jorge Campos appeared to be advocating for the passage of that bill in his remarks on the situation. 

"These egregious and aggressive driving acts that result in serious injury to another need to have appropriate penalty," he said. "In most cases, the injured suffer much pain, multiple medical procedures, lengthy recovery times, and whose freedom to live life injury free are taken from them. The offender, especially if they are not hurt, currently only have a few hurdles to navigate and get to live life freely, while the injured do not."

Davis, 19, was not injured in the crash. He has been released on bond. 

"Fred Davis remains with the program but will be subject to internal discipline," a school spokesperson told Alexis Cubit and Bristow Marchant of The State. "Grounds for internal discipline for misdemeanor charges like this are covered under the terms of the Clemson Student-Athlete Handbook, which says that the head coach can recommend a course of action, and upon concurrence of the designated (Clemson University Athletics Department) administrator, administer sanctions."

The rising sophomore appeared in 11 games for the Tigers last season and was expected to push for more playing time in the 2021 campaign. 

Never one to shy away from a bold opinion, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shared his thoughts about the possibility of an expanded College Football Playoff field.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Swinney said he doesn't support a 12-team field: "Our team wasn't for it. They don't want to play more games. And to be honest with you, I don't think there's 12 teams good enough."

The outspoken Clemson head coach did joke that college football could adopt a relegation system, like they use in the Premier League. 

"Maybe we should have a 40-team Premier League with a 12-team Playoff and if you stink you get relegated to the other level or something," Swinney said. "I don't know."

Swinney's comments come after a sub-group of the College Football Playoff management committee presented a proposal last month to expand the current playoff format from four teams to 12. 

While the proposal has yet to receive approval, there appears to be some traction for it moving forward. 

College Football Playoff board chairman Mark Keenum said in a statement released on June 22 the board has authorized a "review phase that will engage other important voices in this matter" as they continue to decide to proceed with the recommendation. 

Under the proposed format, the field would be comprised of the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams. The top four teams would receive a first-round bye. 

The current four-team College Football Playoff format began with the 2014 season.

A total of 11 different programs have played in the College Football Playoff over the past seven seasons. Alabama (three) and Clemson (two) are the only schools that have won multiple titles under this format.    

Keon Sabb, a Class of 2022 4-star athlete/safety from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, will attend Clemson, he announced Saturday on CBS Sports HQ.

Per 247Sports' composite ranking, the 6'2", 200-pound Sabb is ranked 60th in his class overall and ninth in Florida.

4⭐️ Keon Sabb, makes his college commitment live on HQ coming up at 4 pm ET.

Finalists: Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M, LSU

Watch ☛ https://t.co/hRaLxCAL7T pic.twitter.com/CzQrmTcZha

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 17, 2021

Brian Dohn of 247Sports offered a glowing scouting report for Sabb and compared him to the Denver Broncos' Justin Simmons.

"Excellent frame for free safety. Carries 175 pounds well and can easily add 20 pounds. High-level basketball player. Has skill set for free safety and nickel. Quick feet. Has loose hips and can turn and run with receiver. Drives well on ball in front.

"Tracks ball and is instinctive. Plays physical in run game. Needs to be more aggressive attacking ball. Often leads with shoulder rather than wrapping when tackling. Fine-tuning footwork important. Adding strength throughout frame needed. Multi-year starter at top 15 program with early-round NFL Draft ceiling."

Sabb is a three-sport athlete who also participates in basketball and track. He transferred to Williamstown from Glassboro High School, New Jersey, in Dec. 2019 before eventually moving on to IMG Academy.

Tim Hagerty, Glassboro's head football coach, offered these comments to Kevin Minnick of NJ Advance Media about the player: "His size, speed, he's the whole package. His grades are coming through in the right area, he's becoming more of a leader. I can't say enough good things about him. Every school in the Northeast has come through. I'm just waiting for it to spread south and west. It's only a matter of time."

Sabb earned 31 tackles and five interceptions during the 2019 season in addition to 29 catches for 376 yards and six touchdowns as a wideout, per Minnick.

He previously announced his top six of Clemson, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, LSU and Georgia:

Top 6🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CYXwRRl0PO

— Keon Sabb (@keon_sabb) June 1, 2021

The 247Sports experts unanimously predicted that Sabb would choose Clemson, and that's where the safety will head. He joins a team that has won 10 or more games each of the last 10 years under head coach Dabo Swinney, a two-time national champion.

The last time the Clemson defense was on the field it gave up six touchdown passes to Justin Fields in a 49-28 loss to Ohio State, but Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables became the highest-paid assistant coach in college football Wednesday.

Clemson's Board of Trustees compensation committee approved a contract extension through 2026 that is worth $2.5 million annually, per David M. Hale of ESPN. The new deal pays him $100,000 per year more and adds another season to the contract he already had in place.

The contract also features bonuses for making the College Football Playoff and finishing in the top five in the country in total defense.

Venables' $2.5 million per year would have equaled Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkesian and Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele last season, but neither holds their previous assistant position heading into the 2022 campaign.

Texas hired Sarkesian as its head coach, while Auburn moved on from Steele after it fired head coach Gus Malzahn.

Clemson hired Venables in January 2012 after it lost 70-33 to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. The decision has paid off considering the Tigers have won two national championships and reached two more College Football Playoff national championship games since the move.

They are one of the powerhouses of the sport and will keep their notable defensive coordinator in place even though there were some headlines about him potentially becoming the head coach at Auburn.

Frankly, it would be a surprise if Venables doesn't cash in on the playoff bonuses on this new deal. The Tigers have been in the past six College Football Playoffs and are annual national championship contenders thanks in large part to the defenses Venables has helped build.

Under Venables, Clemson has been particularly known for its ability to pressure the quarterback. The Tigers have finished in the top 12 in the country in sacks every year since 2013.

If the defense continues to play like that, the Tigers will remain title contenders throughout this deal.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has apparently had a change of heart regarding college athletes receiving monetary compensation.

Tigers running back Darien Rencher said on ACC Network's Packer and Durham (h/t ESPN's David M. Hale) that Swinney is "excited" that athletes get to profit off their name, image and likeness:

"He kind of catches some things that get out of context, but he's excited for us to make the most of the opportunity. He's equipping us with everything as much as they can to make sure we have as much content and as much connections as we can. I feel like Clemson's been set up to win for a very long time and now we kind of get released to be all we can be."

Swinney said in 2014 he'd "go do something else" if college athletes started getting paid.

With legislation set to go into effect in multiple states, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved interim measures that opened the door for athletes across the country to begin receiving money for their name, image and likeness starting Thursday.

Many people are having fun with Swinney's past comments:

Go ahead and throw my name into the hat for the Clemson Head Coaching job. Dabo said if student athletes starting making money he would go do something else!! Shoot, Clemson you can come get your boy for half the money. You know.. since it’s my very first coaching job!

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) July 1, 2021

Didn’t Dabo say he was going to quit if athletes could get paid?🤔

— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) July 1, 2021

Dabo not leaving that $90mill for nobody 😂😂

— LeVelle Moton (@LeVelleMoton) July 1, 2021

Vaya con Dabo. https://t.co/ixBHp1wIXT

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 1, 2021

As the winds began changing on the NIL front in 2019, Swinney appeared to have altered his stance.

"I’m hopeful that something positive can come from it," he said after the NCAA announced it was going to weigh possible NIL changes. "It’s really created great conversation and it sounds like they’re getting a group of smart people together to figure out what they need to do to address it, but keep it within the collegiate model and value education and all those things."

Regardless of what Swinney might have thought about paying student-athletes years ago, he and Clemson were bound to adapt to the times. Otherwise, the Tigers risked falling behind the top programs in the country. Legendary Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski did a similar 180 on one-and-done players.

The State noted Clemson has partnered with Opendorse since 2015 "for education and content delivery." Opendorse says it can "help athletes and their supporters understand, build, protect and monetize their brand value."

In July 2020, athletic director Dan Radakovich referenced Clemson's partnership with the company and wrote that Tigers athletes would "have the best tools at their disposal" if the NIL landscape changed.

For generations, college football coaches and administrators have worked to get a leg up on the competition. Name, image and likeness is the next front in the battle.

Justin Foster is returning to Clemson. 

The defensive end, who gave up football last year after developing long-haul syndrome following a COVID-19 diagnosis, has decided to rejoin the Tigers for his final year of eligibility in the 2021 season. 

🚨 Welcome back, 35. 🚨

With encouragement from his doctor, DE Justin Foster has informed Clemson of his intention to return for the 2021 season.

📰: https://t.co/z8o8DmsTFp pic.twitter.com/lWxIli6uP0

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) May 5, 2021

"[Head coach Dabo Swinney] said if you're feeling better, even if you're not 100 percent, you can start working with the team and we'll build you up from there," he told ESPN's T.J. Quinn. "He said, 'You don't have to play 60 snaps a game; you'll just do what you can do.'"

"It's not often you get a call from a great player that you think is gone and he says he's coming back, so just a great thing," Swinney added in a statement. "First of all, just really excited for Justin that he is feeling better with his health and his ability to train like he wants to train. And it's great for Clemson because that gives us seven guys that have started back on our defensive line."

Foster had COVID-19 in June and initially only had mild symptoms, though in the months that followed he dealt with "chronic fatigue and had debilitating breathing problems when he attempted to work out," per Quinn. 

While Foster had asthma and allergies, both had been manageable up to that point. After his coronavirus diagnosis, however, that changed.

"Every day you wake up wheezing and you wake up tired and you just think this is never going to get better," he said.

Foster missed the 2020 season and announced in February that he was calling it quits on football. But as his condition improved, he had second thoughts. 

"I was totally against everything with football. I just didn't want to be around it," he said Wednesday. "I know I was at peace with [not playing], but as I was getting better, I knew if I did get better in the next couple of months there would be some regret if I didn't at least attempt it."

For Foster, things began to turn after he received the COVID-19 vaccine. He also went to the Duke University post-COVID practice in April where he received treatment and medication for his long-haul syndrome.  

“The doctor was positive on me recovering in the near future," Turner noted in the team's statement. "In the next month or two, she thought I’d recover enough to compete at the college level, and she motivated me and said that if I wanted to play again, she’d encourage me to and support me and she would do the best she could to get me back healthy. She believed that I will be healthy and, for me, that was a big stepping stone."

In his first three seasons with the team (2017-19), Foster posted 60 tackles (18.5 for loss), seven sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. If he's able to return to full health, his return should provide a major boost for Clemson's defense.

And it may also be the continuation of a potentially long football career for Foster, who was considered an NFL prospect before his condition.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne will stay teammates after the Jacksonville Jaguars took the ex-Tiger backfield duo with the first and 25th overall selections in the 2021 NFL draft, respectively. 

Clemson Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communications Ross Taylor posted the historical fact on Thursday following the Jaguars' second first-round selection: 

History.

With Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne both being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round, the duo became the first QB/RB duo from a single school ever drafted by the same team in the first round of an NFL Draft in the Common Draft era.

— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) April 30, 2021

The Jags opted to pick a pair of decorated college superstars to open head coach Urban Meyer's era in Jacksonville. Lawrence has been a no-brainer No. 1 overall pick for a long time, so that didn't come as a surprise. The Jags' choice of Etienne was, however, especially with the team returning a breakout star running back in James Robinson (1,414 yards from scrimmage, 10 touchdowns) last year. 

However, Etienne is exceptional in his own right, finishing his Clemson tenure with 6,107 yards from scrimmage and 78 touchdowns over four seasons. With Lawrence and Etienne together, Clemson made the College Football Playoff each year from 2018-2020, reaching the championship game twice and winning it once.

Lawrence and Etienne will hope to replicate college championship success in the pros. They have a tall task ahead of them joining a team that went 1-15 last year, but adding the Clemson duo is a good start for Jacksonville as it looks to make significant improvements in 2021.

Trevor Lawrence is reportedly targeting training camp for his return from offseason surgery to his non-throwing shoulder.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter that Lawrence has been throwing footballs "for a couple weeks now" as he recovers from February surgery on his left labrum.

The Clemson product will be the No. 1 pick in this month's NFL draft, joining a Jacksonville Jaguars franchise that has not produced a Pro Bowl quarterback since David Garrard in 2009. Mark Brunell is the closest thing Jacksonville ever had to a legitimate star at the position since the franchise's inception in 1995.

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer, who will be making the leap to the NFL after a wildly successful college career, is essentially banking his pro career on Lawrence being a star. Meyer could have taken the University of Texas coaching job and likely rode off into the sunset as one of the most successful college coaches of the modern era. Fowler said his decision to join the Jaguars was based in large part by a desire to coach Lawrence, one of the most complete quarterback prospects in recent memory.

While Lawrence's shoulder injury may keep him from full practice for the time being, that may not matter much. Players for 18 teams have released statements saying they will not participate in voluntary offseason workouts in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other safety concerns.

The Jaguars are not one of those teams, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted Jacksonville players may wind up reporting because of several players having bonuses tied to offseason workouts.

However, Lawrence should not find himself at any competitive disadvantage in comparison to most other rookies this season.

Saturday's spring game marked the start of a new era for Clemson football, as it was the program's first time without Trevor Lawrence on the roster since the 2017 season. 

After being shut out for the first three quarters, the White team scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to steal a 14-13 win. 

Freshman running back Phil Mafah had the go-ahead score on a five-yard run with 1:58 remaining. 

Phil Mafah punches it in and White takes the lead! pic.twitter.com/FaJjtRfBBS

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

DJ Uiagalelei was sacked twice on the Orange's ensuing possession. On 4th-and-16, the sophomore quarterback had Joseph Ngata open deep down the field, but the wideout was unable to corral the pass. 

Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, had one of the most successful college careers of any quarterback in recent memory. He led the Tigers to a 34-2 record in 36 starts and won three consecutive ACC titles. 

Despite losing a generational talent at quarterback and star running back Travis Etienne from the offense, head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff do such a good job of stockpiling elite players at every position that expectations remain high in 2021. 

One of the biggest reasons to be optimistic is Uiagalelei. Lawrence's replacement at quarterback was rated a 5-star prospect and No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2020 freshman class by 247Sports' composite rankings. 

When Lawrence was unavailable for two games last season due to COVID-19, Uiagalelei showed tremendous potential, passing for 781 yards, four touchdowns and completing 59 of 85 attempts in starts against Boston College and Notre Dame. He also ran in two scores while guiding the team to a 1-1 record.

Uiagalelei led the Orange on an eight-play, 73-yard scoring drive to start the game that was capped off with a touchdown pass to true freshman receiver Beaux Collins:

Orange starts the game with an 8-play, 73-yd drive capped by a TD catch from freshman Beaux Collins! pic.twitter.com/h5vgdRzkxt

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

Uiagalelei and Collins were high school teammates for three years at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. The early returns suggest that built-in chemistry could translate well at the college level. 

D.J. Uiagalelei is warming up on the sidelines with a receiver he knows quite well: freshman Beaux Collins. Excited to see the chemistry between HS teammates today.

— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) April 3, 2021

After that quick scoring drive, the defenses on both sides settled in to shut things down. 

Sophomore safety R.J. Mickens made an outstanding play on the ball in the second quarter to come down with the interception on Taisun Phommachanh's pass. 

RJ Mickens comin' outta nowhere! pic.twitter.com/dh6797CtNz

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

Cornerback Andrew Booth was able to one-up Mickens with this one-handed interception late in the first half:

Just another day for @andrewbooth21 pic.twitter.com/zjGJp034Z8

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

The White team offense was having all sorts of problems in the first half, though neither side was on point after that first drive. 

D.J. Uiagalelei's first drive:
4-4, 28 yards and one touchdown

Taisun Phommachanh first drive:
0-2 and a delay of game penalty.

— Joshua Needelman (@JoshNeedelman) April 3, 2021

By my count, the White team offense has four penalties today already: two on the first drive and two on this current one with a false start/delay of game. Hunter Helms connects with Dacari Collins for 20 yds just now for a nice pickup, though.

— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) April 3, 2021

QBs at half:

Uiagalelei: 14-of-19 for 105 yards and 1 TD Phommachanh: 6-of-14 for 41 yards and 1 INT
Helms: 5-of-8 for 40 yards

— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) April 3, 2021

Even though points were generally hard to come by, Uiagalelei did pull off a dazzling throw with this completion to Ngata in the third quarter:

Deep ball, DJ to Ngata! pic.twitter.com/GTOxaPrB4H

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

The White team finally got on the board early in the fourth quarter when Phommachanh hit Ajou Ajou in the corner of the end zone: 

White Team gets on the board with a beautiful throw-and-catch from Taisun Phommachanh to Ajou Ajou! pic.twitter.com/0omCfbR85z

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 3, 2021

Phommachanh did suffer a left leg injury late in the fourth quarter as he was trying to put the White team ahead. 

Hunter Helms replaced Phommachanh with less than three minutes remaining with his team on 1st-and-goal and trailing 13-7. Mafah scored on a handoff two plays later to secure the win. 

ESPN's Mark Schlabach ranked Clemson as the No. 1 team in the nation heading into next season immediately following the College Football Playoff Championship Game in January.

One reason the offense may have struggled in this game is because Clemson generally has a strong defense. That wasn't often the case last season, particularly in the 49-28 Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State. 

The Tigers really struggled up front against the Buckeyes, allowing Trey Sermon to run for 193 yards on 31 carries. That doesn't even take into account Justin Fields' 385 yards and six touchdowns through the air. 

It was difficult to get a full read on how much better Clemson's defensive line could be in this game with defenders unable to really attack the quarterback

Tyler Venables gets a "sack" on D.J. Uiagalelei, who'd obvi be harder to bring down in real life. Bryan Bresee just chest bumped Venables so hard he almost fell over hahaha

— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) April 3, 2021

Head coach Dabo Swinney did tell ESPN's David M. Hale on Friday that he's optimistic about Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee being able to make an impact in their sophomore seasons. 

"We took a few bumps and bruises along the way, but Bryan Bresee is so much better than he was at any point last year. Myles Murphy, the same. It's a really good group of guys, and this thing's got a chance, if we stay healthy, to have the type of group that we've had around here and what we've come to be accustomed to."

Despite losing multiple key contributors from last year's squad, Clemson looks to be well-equipped to remain among the nation's elite programs in 2021. 

Uiagalelei's potential is sky-high. Wide receiver Justyn Ross, who missed all of last season due to a spine injury that required surgery, announced in January he is returning to school and hopes to be cleared to play at some point.

The defense is bringing back all 11 starters. It's also adding freshman linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and defensive tackle Payton Page as part of the 2021 recruiting class.