Clemson Tigers News: ACC Kickoff, MBB non-con, Sam Staab
By John Chancey
![Jul 25, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Jul 25, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3936,h_2214,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/293/01j3q80vfc0gbnpc3xh0.jpg)
Clemson Football attends the final day of ACC Kickoff
ACC Kickoff was a four-day event this season with the addition of three new programs. Clemson Football was the penultimate team on the final day.
Head coach Dabo Swinney came to the stage first and fielded questions for about fifteen minutes before his student-athletes came on stage.
Swinney was asked about his position on the new scholarship rules for football, which will likely allow 105 players on the roster in total.
Swinney expressed that he didn’t like the change because it ultimately meant the end of walk-on players.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney on the scholarship limit increase and how it will affect college football #Clemson #ClemsonFootball #ACCMediaDay pic.twitter.com/OV63xRmeFy
— Clemson Sports Media (@CUSportsMedia) July 26, 2024
Following their time on the main stage, Swinney and the players answered more questions backstage.
Swinney says Phillip Florenzo has been placed on scholarship. The team has one more open scholarship currently.
Of course, they must ask about the portal.
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney on the transfer portal: “If I took another job tomorrow, I’d be the greatest portal recruiter ever because I’d have to replace half my roster.” Says that bc of Tigers’ stability/retention rate of star players, they don’t have to consider/use portal as much pic.twitter.com/zMASYKm5jF
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) July 25, 2024
It seems like Swinney always has a new twist on how to answer that question to not make it sound like the last 10,000 times he answered that question.
Cade Klubnik was asked about difference makers for the offense and he responded with freshman Bryant Wesco.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik was asked today:
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) July 25, 2024
"Who do you think is going to be the biggest difference maker on this offense?"
He answers, simply, "Bryant Wesco."
"Any reason why?"
He answers, simply, confidently, "You’ll see."
Swinney was interviewed by the ACC Network and they asked something I’d speculated about a couple of weeks ago: how much emphasis will be placed on Phil Mafah and the running game?
EJ: How much are you gonna feed Mafah this season?
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) July 25, 2024
Dabo: A buffet. All he wants 😂
Phil Mafah is gonna be a workhorse for @ClemsonFB 😤 pic.twitter.com/F8mYIbQwl4
Hopefully, this isn’t just talk. Mafah will be critical through the opening half of the season while the offensive line finds its footing, young receivers acclimate, and Klubnik finds his zone.
Other news and notes from around Clemson athletics:
Clemson Men’s Basketball has officially released its non-conference schedule for 2024-25.
The non-conference schedule is here‼️
— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) July 25, 2024
Renew your season tickets and join us in LJC this season!
🎟️ RENEWALS: https://t.co/kYYueuI13n
🎟️ DEPOSITS: https://t.co/pBCvFWJg3v
🗞️ RELEASE: https://t.co/QjujoRRqMw#ClemsonGRIT pic.twitter.com/i3GHtT8IO4
The highlights of the non-con are in December, hosting Kentucky and Memphis before visiting Columbia to play the Gamecocks.
Clemson Women’s Soccer alum Sam Staab will miss the remainder of the Chicago Red Stars’ season with a torn Achilles.
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