In typical Dabo Swinney fashion, the Clemson head coach didn’t waste time sugarcoating things. When asked to describe his team through the first week of fall camp, Swinney summed it up in one line:
“Just hadn’t been a lot of bull crap going on.”
That’s high praise from a man who’s built his program on discipline, culture, and relentless energy. And according to Swinney, this group is checking every box.
“They’ve been very businesslike,” Swinney said of his squad. “Just the demeanor, how they’ve approached it every day. We’ve had great energy, great competition. They’re practicing the right way.”
The Tigers officially hit full pads for the first time this week, diving into short-yardage, goal-line situations, and—yes—some full-speed tackling. The tone is clear: Clemson’s 2025 squad is built to compete, not just participate.
Injury Updates: One Significant Loss
The biggest blow came at running back. Sophomore Jarvis Green is expected to miss most of the season after undergoing foot surgery. Swinney says there's hope Green could return late in the year, but it’s a frustrating loss for a player expected to be a key rotational piece.
The good news? No other long-term injuries were reported. Just the usual bumps and bruises of camp. Players like Khalil Barnes are nursing minor issues, while others like Peter Woods missed practice due to illness.
“He tried to go, but he was sick as a dog,” Swinney said of Woods. “Didn’t want him around anyone.”
Freak Alert: Ian Reed’s New Potential Role
Swinney didn’t hesitate when asked if 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman Ian Reed could play a role in special teams.
“Absolutely. Just haven’t done it yet, but we’ll get there.”
With elite length and athleticism, Reed is already being considered for kick-block packages and “last-play-of-the-game” Hail Mary situations. The staff is force-feeding him reps to see how far he can come before school starts.
“He made a big catch today with a guy hanging all over him,” Swinney said. “The team went nuts.”
Camp Changes, Mental Toughness, and Preseason Games
This week also marked a shift in the camp schedule. Friday will feature the team’s first double-day, and Saturday brings the first scrimmage of fall camp—complete with ACC officials and full situational football.
Swinney emphasized how critical this part of camp is for player evaluation.
“The first scrimmage usually dictates where you are. You’ve got a good plan going in, but the game tells the truth.”
Clemson has also dealt with unusual weather. Despite a summer of scorching heat, the Tigers have seen multiple cool days and rainouts, something Swinney jokes has created a “Club Med” vibe.
But he’s not complaining. “You’ve got to have a little favor along the way,” he smiled.
Depth Chart Watch: Names to Know
Behind established leaders like Adam Randall, Swinney noted that Misun “Easy” Kelley, Tyler Brown, Keith Adams Jr., and Jay Haynes are all pushing for significant snaps. Haynes, still recovering from injury, is expected to be fully released soon.
Veteran Shelton Lewis has seen some reps at corner, and Avieon Terrell continues to cement his role, but the staff is clearly trying to build depth now before packages tighten once school starts.
Final Thought
No hype. No gimmicks. No distractions.
Just ball.
Swinney’s 2025 Tigers seem locked in, and with their first preseason game looming, Clemson fans have every reason to believe the program is primed for a bounce-back season.
“We’ve got two weeks to push,” Swinney said. “Then it’s time to go play.”