It’s officially game week for Clemson Football, and head coach Dabo Swinney set the tone Tuesday during his weekly press conference. As he took the podium, Swinney’s first words were simple but direct: “Alright well, it’s go time.”
After weeks of camp, practices, and months of preparation, the Tigers are now just days away from kicking off the 2025 season. Swinney gave updates on key players, shared thoughts on new additions to the team, and offered his perspective on the broader challenges of college football, all while making sure to keep the focus on the here and now.
Dabo Swinney’s Respect for Garrett Nussmeier
Dabo Swinney didn’t shy away from praising the opposing quarterback Clemson will face in the opener: LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
“He’s a leader, he’s tough, I got a ton of respect for this kid,” Swinney said.
Nussmeier, who steps into the spotlight once again this season as LSU’s starting quarterback, has a reputation for his grit and command of the huddle. Swinney’s respect shows the level of challenge Clemson’s defense will face. The Tigers will need to disrupt Nussmeier early, testing his composure against a defense led by new coordinator Tom Allen.
Injury Update: Jay Haynes Out
As expected, running back Jay Haynes will not be available this week. While Swinney didn’t sound alarm bells about the severity, the absence still impacts the Tigers’ backfield depth a little.
Clemson will lean more heavily on its rotation of backs, with Adam Randall, recently converted from wide receiver, expected to play a major role.
Elyjah Thurmon’s Versatility Up Front
One of those young standouts is offensive lineman Elyjah Thurmon. Dabo Swinney didn’t hold back when discussing his potential.
“He’s a starter for us. He truly could start at four positions for us,” Swinney said.
That type of versatility is rare for a young talent like Thurmon, and it signals the coaching staff’s confidence in his maturity and football IQ. For a unit that has struggled with consistency in recent years, Thurmon’s ability to move across the line gives Clemson flexibility and stability as they build more chemistry up front.
Early Impressions of Tom Allen
Clemson’s defensive identity will look different this fall under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen, and Swinney made it clear he’s pleased with what he’s seen so far.
“He’s the same guy everyday,” Swinney said. “He’s very detailed and very organized. It’s been a great honeymoon, I hope it continues.”
Allen, the former Penn State defensive coordinator, is known for his high-energy coaching style and relentless focus on fundamentals. His defense will be tested immediately by LSU’s fast-paced offense, but Swinney’s confidence in Allen suggests the transition has been smooth.
Will Heldt’s Work Ethic
Purdue transfer defensive lineman Will Heldt also earned high marks. Dabo Swinney highlighted both his talent and his work ethic.
“He’s about his business, really talented player and the kids love him,” Swinney said.
Adding Heldt to the rotation gives Clemson more depth in the trenches, where the Tigers hope to regain the dominance that has defined the program’s best teams. His ability to mesh quickly with teammates bodes well for a defensive front looking to make an immediate impact.
Punter Battle Still Unresolved
Special teams remain a question mark heading into Saturday. Dabo Swinney admitted the punting situation may not be decided until pregame warmups.
“Might watch pre game warm ups, it might be kind of down to that, we’ve got a competition,” he explained.
That kind of uncertainty is unusual this close to kickoff, but Swinney framed it as a positive, pointing to the competitiveness of the group. Still, with field position often playing a crucial role in early-season matchups, all eyes will be on whoever trots out first.
Tyler Brown Back in Action
One piece of good news for Clemson’s offense is the return of wide receiver Tyler Brown, who Swinney described as electric when healthy.
“He’s just been awesome, just flying around playing fast. He stays healthy, he’ll do his part,” Swinney said.
Brown adds a vertical threat to Clemson’s passing game and gives quarterback Cade Klubnik another trusted target. If Brown can stay on the field, his explosiveness could help open up the offense like it did during Brown’s freshman season.
The Preseason Debate
Dabo Swinney also revisited a familiar frustration: the absence of preseason games in college football.
“We’re the only level of football that has zero preseason games,” he said. “There’s a reason they play all those preseason games in the NFL—because you need to evaluate. In college, you get two scrimmages, that’s it.”
His point resonates this time of year, when coaches truly see what their team has in game one against a different opponent. For Swinney, the challenge is turning those limited reps into readiness for a high-profile opening game.
A Season Built Around “One”
Each year, Dabo Swinney picks a motivational word to define Clemson’s mindset. This year, that word is “One.”
“It’s an audience of one. That’s really what matters,” he said. “Let’s just win the one—this one meeting, this one meal, this one night’s sleep, this one decision, this one practice, this one play, this one quarter, this one half, this one game, this one week. That mentality.”
The message is about discipline and focus—avoiding the temptation to look too far ahead while keeping attention fixed on the task directly in front of the team.
No Depth Chart, By Design
Finally, Dabo Swinney addressed the decision not to release a depth chart this week. He admitted it’s partly gamesmanship and partly practicality.
“We’re just trying to be mysterious, keep everybody guessing,” Swinney said with a grin. “We’ve got a few decisions we literally may not make until pregame. It just creates more conversation than what we need to deal with right now.”
By holding back, Swinney forces LSU to prepare for multiple possibilities and perhaps shields younger players from added pressure.
Looking Ahead
Clemson players will meet with the media Wednesday, giving fans a closer look at the team’s preparation. But with Swinney already setting the tone, the message is clear: the wait is over, and the Tigers are ready.
For Clemson, as Swinney simply put it best, “It’s go time.”
