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CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney is already thinking of ways to maximize the NCAA's new eligibility rules.
On June 23, the NCAA approved a change that gives all athletes five years of eligibility over five seasons instead of five years to play four seasons.
Under the new rules, there will be no more redshirts, and waivers will only be granted in the case of pregnancy, military service or religious missions. An athlete's five-year clock would start the academic year after their 19th birthday or upon college enrollment, whichever is earlier.
This means any current Clemson athlete who hasn't had a redshirt can get an extra year of eligibility. However, an athlete who used a standard four-game redshirt and earned a medical redshirt could still get a sixth year of eligibility not available to future players.
Swinney called it a "game changer" because it allows players who haven't used a redshirt to have another year of flexibility. He pointed out players like safeties Ronan Hanafin, Corey Myrick and Jerome Carter; offensive lineman Harris Sewell and cornerback Elliot Washington II as players who would benefit from this rule change.
Swinney said the rule will likely have no impact on players who are likely to go pro as third- or fourth-year players like edge rusher Will Heldt.
"I'm gonna try, but he ain't gonna be back," Swinney said July 14 at Clemson's media day.
Since every year counts equally regardless of games played, Clemson can also play its current freshmen right away instead of the Tigers limiting them to four games so they can redshirt. Freshmen like safety Polo Anderson, wide receiver Naeem Burroughs and quarterback Tait Reynolds could play in more than four regular-season games in 2026 and not impact their eligibility.
Swinney said he discussed with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia recently that he used to have to make redshirt decisions on players entering the season, putting freshmen "on the shelf" even with the four-game limit.
MORE: How Dabo Swinney said Clemson football struggles changed Tigers goals for 2026
With the removal of redshirts, Swinney said Clemson could use a player, who isn't ready to play every snap, for a specific role or set because they excel at one area. An example Swinney used was inserting a freshman offensive line signee in a goal-line package where his assignment is simple to help the team and get him reps.
"(It) just gives you a lot more freedom," Swinney said.
Swinney said 80-man roster limits in ACC road games could limit Clemson's utilization of players but still supported the rule change.
Swinney was a proponent because it will cut down on the number of players who have prolonged their careers because of redshirts and waivers.
MORE: Why Tajh Boyd believes Christopher Vizzina will be ready for Clemson opener at LSU
He said it will also deter players from playing in four games and deciding to sit out for the rest of the season to retain their eligibility with plans to enter the transfer portal. Cornerback Shelton Lewis did this with Clemson last season.
"I think that will drastically change," Swinney said. "I'd be surprised if it doesn't because at the end of the day, these guys want to play, and it's good for them, even if they know they're going to leave."
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What Dabo Swinney said new NCAA eligibility rules will change for Clemson football
Continue reading...
On June 23, the NCAA approved a change that gives all athletes five years of eligibility over five seasons instead of five years to play four seasons.
Under the new rules, there will be no more redshirts, and waivers will only be granted in the case of pregnancy, military service or religious missions. An athlete's five-year clock would start the academic year after their 19th birthday or upon college enrollment, whichever is earlier.
This means any current Clemson athlete who hasn't had a redshirt can get an extra year of eligibility. However, an athlete who used a standard four-game redshirt and earned a medical redshirt could still get a sixth year of eligibility not available to future players.
Swinney called it a "game changer" because it allows players who haven't used a redshirt to have another year of flexibility. He pointed out players like safeties Ronan Hanafin, Corey Myrick and Jerome Carter; offensive lineman Harris Sewell and cornerback Elliot Washington II as players who would benefit from this rule change.
Swinney said the rule will likely have no impact on players who are likely to go pro as third- or fourth-year players like edge rusher Will Heldt.
"I'm gonna try, but he ain't gonna be back," Swinney said July 14 at Clemson's media day.
Since every year counts equally regardless of games played, Clemson can also play its current freshmen right away instead of the Tigers limiting them to four games so they can redshirt. Freshmen like safety Polo Anderson, wide receiver Naeem Burroughs and quarterback Tait Reynolds could play in more than four regular-season games in 2026 and not impact their eligibility.
Swinney said he discussed with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia recently that he used to have to make redshirt decisions on players entering the season, putting freshmen "on the shelf" even with the four-game limit.
MORE: How Dabo Swinney said Clemson football struggles changed Tigers goals for 2026
With the removal of redshirts, Swinney said Clemson could use a player, who isn't ready to play every snap, for a specific role or set because they excel at one area. An example Swinney used was inserting a freshman offensive line signee in a goal-line package where his assignment is simple to help the team and get him reps.
"(It) just gives you a lot more freedom," Swinney said.
Swinney said 80-man roster limits in ACC road games could limit Clemson's utilization of players but still supported the rule change.
Swinney was a proponent because it will cut down on the number of players who have prolonged their careers because of redshirts and waivers.
MORE: Why Tajh Boyd believes Christopher Vizzina will be ready for Clemson opener at LSU
He said it will also deter players from playing in four games and deciding to sit out for the rest of the season to retain their eligibility with plans to enter the transfer portal. Cornerback Shelton Lewis did this with Clemson last season.
"I think that will drastically change," Swinney said. "I'd be surprised if it doesn't because at the end of the day, these guys want to play, and it's good for them, even if they know they're going to leave."
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What Dabo Swinney said new NCAA eligibility rules will change for Clemson football
Continue reading...
