The NFL Draft may have snatched away two of our best big men, but if you think Dabo Swinney’s machine is losing steam, you haven’t been paying attention to Clemson football.
Let the Lions and Chiefs have their moment with Blake Miller and Peter Woods. Here in Tiger Town, we’re already locked in on the next wave of Clemson legends. ESPN just spotlighted our "Next Man Up" for those first-rounders, and trust me, the future in orange looks just as fierce as ever.
Jacobs Anchors the Blindside
With Blake Miller off to the NFL, it’s time for Brayden Jacobs to step into the spotlight. He’s not just the son of a legend—he’s a 6-foot-7, 355-pound force who showed what he’s made of with 368 snaps and four starts last season before a tough break at Louisville. This kid is built for the big stage.
Other programs scramble for quick fixes in the portal, but Coach Swinney? He knows the real talent is already wearing orange.
“While the Tigers tackled other positions of need in the portal, Dabo Swinney opted to look in-house for replacements on the O-line — and for good reason,” ESPN wrote. “The Tigers have recruited well over the past few cycles at the position, and youngsters such as Brayden Jacobs appear poised for a breakthrough. At 6-7, 355 pounds, Jacobs is big, but he also moves well. He got four starts a year ago and held his own, but with a year of college development under his belt, the Tigers think he could be on the brink of stardom. There’s no easy replacement for Miller’s experience, and Clemson will have three new starters on the line, making chemistry a hot topic, but talent shouldn’t be a concern for the Tigers.”
The Interior's New Enforcer
Now, let’s talk defense. Peter Woods is off to chase rings with the Chiefs, but don’t worry—South Carolina’s own Amare Adams is ready to step up and make Death Valley his playground.
The former five-star prospect saw action in Adams, a former five-star, got his feet wet in 10 games last year. Even with an injury slowing him down, you could see the flashes—the quickness, the power, the reason he was a top-60 recruit. He’s just getting started. to replace Woods’ combination of size and athleticism, and though his stat line in 2025 rarely included gaudy numbers, he always had the attention of opposing coaches,” ESPN noted. “With Woods gone — along with Demonte Capeheart — the Tigers will have a completely fresh interior line in 2026 and figure to build around their top signee from a year ago, Amare Adams. He was a consensus top-60 player coming out of high school and got a taste of action last year as a true freshman. He has the skill set to approach Woods’ level of production.”
Depth in the Trenches
But Adams is just the beginning. Clemson’s got a whole stable of hungry Tigers ready to keep the "Orange Crush" alive and well. Markus Strong comes in from Oklahoma, Andy Burburija brings JUCO muscle, and Vic Burley—remember that name—racked up 175 snaps last year and is itching for more.
The names on the back of the jerseys might change, but the standard in Clemson remains the same: National Championship or bust.
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