Dabo Swinney is set to enter his 18th season as head coach of the Clemson Tigers after a 7-6 campaign (4-4 in the ACC) that fell well short of expectations by program standards. Christopher Vizzina will take over as starting QB for the departed Cade Klubnik, who is now with the Jets. Top running back Adam Randall is with the Ravens, so the Tigers will call upon Gideon Davidson to be their lead back and also have high hopes for SMU transfer Chris Johnson. The Tigers lost their top receiver, Antonio Williams, but return T.J. Moore and six of their top eight from a season ago. The Tigers’ offensive line was riddled with injury last year, and many of those injuries could carry over into the start of this season. First-year offensive coordinator Chad Morris faces an early test.

Tom Allen enters his second season as defensive coordinator and will have four of his five top tacklers back from a season ago, including leading tackler Sammy Brown, who had 107 tackles and five sacks in 2025. The Tigers’ front seven should be able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Clemson secondary has talented players like Ashton Hampton, Ronan Hanafin, and Kylon Griffin, and is excited for newcomers Elliot Washington II and safeties Jerome Carter and Corey Myrick.

Nolan Hauser returns as field goal kicker, and Jack Smith returns as punter. Punt returner Bryant Wesco has been cleared after a neck injury. The Tigers will look to replace Adam Randall’s production at kick returner. Tyler Brown and Gideon Davidson will look to step up to put the offense in favorable field position.  With a new quarterback, questions in the backfield and on the offensive line, but strong continuity on defense, 2026 will test whether Clemson can return to its usual standard.