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7 players Dabo Swinney should use more to save Clemson's season, including Tristan Smith
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- 7 players Dabo Swinney should use more to save Clemson's season, including Tristan Smith
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney said he is open to benching starters who aren't playing to their potential amid the Tigers ' rough start.
Clemson (1-3, 0-2 ACC) will face UNC (2-2) on Oct. 4 (noon ET, ESPN) at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tigers must win this game to salvage their season and keep their longshot ACC title hopes alive after having their worst start in 21 years.
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Swinney believes it's on Tigers coaches for players to play at a high level but said change is possible.
"If there's changes you have to make, you make them," Swinney said. "We're playing our best players. ... It's our job as coaches to get these guys playing better. When your players are not playing to their potential, it's on you as a coach."
Here are seven players who need more playing time to help Clemson salvage the season and prepare for 2026. Each have played 100 snaps or fewer through four games.
WR Tristan Smith
Weeks 1-4: Three catches for 24 yards over 29 snaps in four games.
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Clemson No. 1 wide receiver Antonio Williams missed most of the season opener and was out with a hamstring injury in Weeks 2 and 3. The Tigers have depth behind him with Bryant Wesco Jr. , T.J. Moore , Tyler Brown and Cole Turner , but the unit has mostly underperformed except for Wesco.
In his few snaps, Smith has provided a jolt to Clemson's offense, including a season-long 23-yard reception against Syracuse where he showcased his elusiveness in space. The Tigers' lone offensive transfer this season has shown he can handle more reps.
DT Amare Adams
Weeks 1-4: Five tackles over 37 snaps in four games.
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Amare Adams , Clemson's top signee in 2025, has appeared in every game, and his snaps have increased since Week 2. Peter Woods , DeMonte Capehart and Stephiylan Green have dominated snaps at defensive tackle, but these eight remaining games can help Adams gain experience that can translate to next season.
Capehart's eligibility is over after this year, and Woods will likely head to the NFL, which will leave a massive experience void at defensive tackle for Clemson.
OL Brayden Jacobs
Weeks 1-4: Eight snaps in four games.
Brayden Jacobs, Clemson's top offensive signee in 2025, had a rough showing in Week 2 against Troy , earning a holding penalty and allowing a sack. Swinney is adamant Jacobs will be a star for Clemson; he has thrived in certain short-yardage packages.
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Clemson's offensive line has been inconsistent, ranking 106th nationally in pass blocking and 92nd in run blocking per Pro Football Focus. Swinney and offensive line coach Matt Luke said Jacobs isn't quite ready yet, but getting the freshman more reps to adjust to the college learning curve over listed starters could help now and in 2026.
RBs Gideon Davidson , David Eziomume
Weeks 1-4: Combined 20 all-purpose yards on seven touches over 32 snaps.
Adam Randall , who converted from wide receiver, has rushed for 338 yards to rank fifth in the ACC. He has 57 carries with running backs Gideon Davidson and David Eziomume with only three apiece.
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If this trend continues, Randall could wear down like Phil Mafah did. When he suffered his injury, Clemson had unproven backs to replace him, which contributed to Randall switching to running back this offseason.
The Tigers should continue to use Randall but get Davidson and Eziomume involved more in case Randall wears down and when they will take over the room in 2026.
QB Christopher Vizzina
Weeks 1-4: One rushing yard on one carry over one snap in one game.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik 's regression has fans wondering what Clemson's future will look like at the position. Swinney has maintained that Klubnik is Clemson's starter over Christopher Vizzina, but he could have a change of heart similar to when Klubnik replaced DJ Uiagalelei in 2022.
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Clemson's offense is averaging 19.8 points, which is its fewest since 1998, and Klubnik's play has been a factor for it. If Klubnik continues on this trajectory, it could be Vizzina's time.
S Kylon Griffin
Weeks 1-4: One tackle and one pass breakup over 30 snaps in three games.
Griffin's snaps have been reduced in each game with him not appearing in Week 4. Despite his limited playing time, he is a fourth-year player who can add experience and knowledge to Clemson's secondary.
Safety Khalil Barnes returned in Week 4, but second-year player Ricardo Jones has been commanding the opposite safety spot. Jones and Ronan Hanafin have shown flashes, but both are among the leaders in missed tackles, according to PFF. Utilizing Griffin more can help Clemson's defense from surrendering explosive plays, which has been an issue in its last two games.
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney is underusing these 7 Clemson football players
