Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney’s thoughts on the LSU Tigers trying to add players who were in NFL training camps to their roster are simple.
“It’s kind of embarrassing. Honestly, it’s embarrassing that’s where we are,” Swinney said in a press conference on Tuesday morning about LSU and any school attempting to add former college players to their roster. “I don’t blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system. It’s embarrassing, but we’ve been there for a while. …
“No pun intended, but we’re just going to stay in our lane.”
Two weeks ago, a Louisiana judge granted temporary restraining orders and a fifth year of college eligibility to 16 players who graduated from high school in 2022. On that note, LSU added a handful of individuals who previously played for Kiffin on the Ole Miss Rebels, including tight end Dae’Quan Wright, defensive tackle Zxavian Thomas and safety Wydatt Williams. This promptly led to the Big Ten and SEC each banning players who have appeared on an NFL or professional football roster from playing in their respective conferences.
All that said, there’s a hearing in Baton Rogue, Louisiana on Thursday regarding the SEC banning players who have appeared on pro rosters from appearing on a conference roster (e.g., LSU), according to Yahoo Sports. Earlier in the week, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian called adding a player with pro experience of any kid to a college roster “morally wrong.” Fortunately for college football fans alike, LSU hosts Texas on Nov. 14.
And, of course, Clemson opens its 2026 season on the road against LSU on Saturday night in what’s Kiffin’s first game as the Tigers’ new head coach following six seasons coaching SEC-rival Ole Miss (2020-25).
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Senior quarterback Christopher Vizzina will get the Week 1 starting nod for Clemson, beating out freshman Tait Reynolds, among others, for the job. Vizzina has spent his entire collegiate career at Clemson (2023-25) and will succeed three-year starter Cade Klubnik, who was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft and will be the team’s backup signal-caller.
LSU defeated Clemson on the road to open the 2025 season; the Tigers fired head coach Brian Kelly after beginning the season 5-3. Meanwhile, Clemson is coming off a 7-6 season after opening the year as the No. 4 ranked team in the country. It marked the fewest games that Clemson has won since going 6-7 in 2010, Swinney’s third season as the Tigers’ head coach.
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