Clemson’s 17–10 loss to LSU wasn’t just about scoreboard frustration—it was also a revealing snapshot of how Dabo Swinney and Garrett Riley are distributing playing time. With only 60 offensive snaps thanks to LSU’s ball-control dominance, every rep became a telltale sign of who the Tigers trust most moving forward.
Running Back: Randall Dominates the Field
If there was one constant, it was Adam Randall. The senior back logged a staggering 46 snaps out of 60, carried the ball 16 times, and scored Clemson’s lone touchdown—even if he finished with just 16 rushing yards. Behind him, the rotation was sparse: David Eziomume (8 snaps), Keith Adams Jr. (4), and true freshman Gideon Davidson (2).
Davidson’s role shrank further after he missed a critical pass-blocking assignment, something Swinney noted postgame. Until he regains the staff’s trust, expect Randall to remain the bell cow.
Wide Receiver: Injury Shakes Up the Room
The Tigers’ passing attack took a hit when Antonio Williams exited after just five snaps with a hamstring injury. His absence cleared the way for sophomore T.J. Moore (54 snaps), Tyler Brown (49), and Bryant Wesco Jr. (48) to shoulder the load.
Brown, in particular, seized the chance, emerging as Klubnik’s safety valve. Meanwhile, transfer Tristan Smith barely cracked the rotation with just three snaps and no targets. The Troy game could determine if his role grows—or if Clemson eases him in at a snail’s pace.
Tight End: A Three-Way Battle
Few position groups are more up for grabs than tight end. Starter Olsen Patt-Henry paced the room with 25 snaps and delivered a highlight-reel catch. Yet Josh Sapp (21 snaps) and Christian Bentancur (17) were heavily involved too. Bentancur’s clutch grabs down the stretch may signal his rise in the rotation. Expect a true committee approach in the coming weeks.
Offensive Line: Stability with One Exception
Four starters—Tristan Leigh, Collin Sadler, Ryan Linthicum, and Blake Miller—did not leave the field, logging all 60 snaps. The lone revolving door was at right guard, where Harris Sewell (32 snaps) and Elyjah Thurmon (28) split time nearly evenly.
Freshman Brayden Jacobs saw just one snap, but it came as an extra lineman on Randall’s touchdown. If Clemson wants more power looks, Jacobs may carve out a specialized role.
What It Means Moving Forward
The LSU loss showed Clemson’s offensive hierarchy is still forming. Randall is entrenched at RB1, Moore and Brown are poised for big workloads at receiver, and the tight end rotation remains unsettled. The biggest question? Whether Clemson can find more balance in its run game before ACC play begins. Troy offers a chance to experiment—but the snap counts don’t lie: playing time is already telling the story of who Swinney trusts
Clemson Snap Count Report Card: Winners and Losers From LSU Loss
Winner: Adam Randall – B
Heavy workload, lone touchdown. Clemson’s clear RB1, even if production lagged.
Loser: Gideon Davidson – D
A blown pass-protection assignment limited him to just two snaps. Freshman mistakes cost him.
Winner: Tyler Brown – A-
Stepped up with 49 snaps after Antonio Williams’ injury. Reliable target all night.
Loser: Tristan Smith – C-
Three snaps, no targets. Clemson’s hyped transfer has yet to find a role.
Winner: Christian Bentancur – B+
Two clutch catches on just 17 snaps. Could be climbing fast in the TE rotation.
Loser: Offensive Line Cohesion – C
Right guard rotation stalled rhythm, LSU blitzes exploited miscommunication.
Winner: T.J. Moore – B+
Team-high 54 snaps at WR. Steady presence and trusted by Klubnik.
Bottom Line
The snap counts reveal Clemson’s pecking order: Randall, Brown, and Moore are earning trust, while Davidson and Smith have slipped. For a team still searching for balance, who plays—and who doesn’t—may decide the Tigers’ season.