What we're hearing about Clemson football as practice starts today for Dabo Swinney

[ASFN Admin]

The first day of practice has arrived for Clemson football.

The Tigers begin practicing for the 2026 season on Aug. 6. Their first game of the season is Sept. 5 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) against LSU in Baton Rouge.

Last season, Clemson finished 7-6, ending its season with a 22-10 loss to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl. It was the worst season the Tigers have had under coach Dabo Swinney since going 6-7 in 2010.

Hoping for improvement, Clemson has reshaped its coaching staff and rebuilt its roster through the transfer portal. Here's what to know on the first day of practice.

When does Clemson football start preseason practice?​

Clemson will start preseason practice on Aug. 6.

When is Clemson football's first game?​

Clemson will open the season against LSU on Sept 5 (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Who will start at quarterback for Clemson?​

Clemson has had an ongoing quarterback competition between senior Christopher Vizzina and freshman Tait Reynolds since the spring. Vizzina leads the competition entering the first day, but Clemson has not yet named either as the Week 1 starter.

What coaches did Dabo Swinney hire, fire and promote for 2026?​

Here are Clemson's primary assistants in 2026.

• Offensive coordinator Chad Morris (hired to replace Garrett Riley, who was fired)
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Tom Allen
• QB coach Tajh Boyd (promoted after Riley's firing)
• RB coach C.J. Spiller
• WR coach Tyler Grishham
• TE coach Kyle Richardson
• OL coach Matt Luke
• DE coach Chris Rumph
• DT coach Nick Eason
• LB coach Ben Bouleware
• CB coach Mike Reed
• Nickelbacks coach Corico Wright (hired from Delaware)
• S coach Nolan Turner (promoted to replace Mickey Conn, who was fired)
• Defensive pass game coordinator Thomas Allen (promoted)
• Strength coach Dennis Love (promoted after Joey Batson retired)
• Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia (hired to replace Will Gilchrist)

Clemson football returning starters in 2026​

• WR Bryant Wesco Jr.
• WR T.J. Moore
• TE Olsen Patt-Henry
• OL Harris Sewell
• OL Collin Sadler
• DE Will Heldt
• LB Sammy Brown
• LB Jeremiah Alexander
• CB Ashton Hampton
• K Nolan Hauser
• P Jack Smith

Note: Defensive starters determined from base 4-3 personnel.

Clemson football starters lost in 2026​

• QB Cade Klubnik
• RB Adam Randall
• WR Antonio Williams
• OL Blake Miller
• OL Tristan Leigh
• OL Ryan Linthiucm
• DE T.J. Parker
• DT Peter Woods
• DT DeMonte Capehart
• LB Wade Woodaz
• CB Avieon Terrell
• S Khalil Barnes
• S Ricardo Jones

Who Clemson, Dabo Swinney have added, lost in portal for 2026​

Additions:

• SMU RB Chris Johnson Jr.
• Wingate WR Jaylen Brown-Wallace
• Colorado DE London Merritt
• Howard DE CJ Wesley
• Oklahoma DT Markus Strong
• West Georgia DT Kourtney Kelly
• Texas State DT Devarrick Woods
• Auburn CB Donovan Starr
• Penn State CB Elliot Washington II
• Southern Miss S Corey Myrick
• Old Dominion S Jerome Carter III

Losses:

• Cal LB Luke Ferrelli (transferred to Clemson, then re-entered to transfer to Ole Miss)
• RB Keith Adams Jr. (Georgia State)
• WR Parker Fulghum (Louisiana-Monroe)
• TE Josh Sapp (West Virginia)
• OL Rowan Byrne (North Carolina)
• DE Markus Dixon (Oregon)
• DT Stephiylan Green (LSU)
• LB Jamal Anderson (SMU)
• LB Dee Crayton (UNLV)
• CB Michael Manaka
• CB Shelton Lewis (Arkansas)
• S Ricardo Jones (Vanderbilt)
• S Rob Billings (Jacksonville State)
• S Khalil Barnes (Georgia)
• ATH Marquise Henderson (Samford)

Clemson football 2026 recruiting class​

Clemson signed 22 high school players and one junior college recruit in 2026. The Tigers' class is ranked 20th nationally and fourth in the ACC, per the 247Sports Composite.

Here's each signee.

• QB Tait Reynolds
• QB Brock Bradley
• WR Naeem Burroughs
• WR Gordon Sellars
• WR Connor Salmin
• WR Keil McGriff
• WR Cam Blivens
• TE Tayveon Wilson
• OL Leo Delaney
• OL Carter Scruggs
• OL Chancellor Barclay
• OL Adam Guthrie
• OL Braden Wilmes
• OL Grant Wise
• DE J.R. Hardrick
• DE Michael Foster
• DT Kam Cody
• JUCO DT Andy Burburija
• LB Brayden Reilly
• CB Shavar Young Jr.
• CB Marcell Gipson
• S Polo Anderson
• LS Jackson Reach

Clemson football schedule 2026​

Here is the entire 2026 Clemson football schedule.

• Sept. 5: at LSU (7:30 p.m., ABC)
• Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern (7:30 p.m., ACC Network)
• Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina (noon, ESPN)
• Sept. 25: at Cal (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
• Oct. 3: vs. Miami
• Oct. 10: Open
• Oct. 17: vs. Charleston Southern
• Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech
• Oct. 31: at Florida State
• Nov. 7: at Syracuse
• Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech
• Nov. 20: at Duke (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
• Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What we're hearing about Clemson football as practice starts today for Dabo Swinney

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