Coach Dabo Swinney spoke with David Hale of ESPN.com and accused new Ole Miss coach, Pete Golding, of tampering with Luke Ferrelli, linebacker. Swinney claimed Golding, who is Lane Kiffin’s replacement, had repeated contacts with Ferrelli after the player signed an NIL contract and enrolled in classes at Clemson.

“This is a whole other level of tampering,” Swinney said. “It’s total hypocrisy… This is a really sad state of affairs. We have a broken system, and if there are no consequences for tampering, then we have no rules and we have no governance.” Safe to say Swinney didn’t hold back when speaking about Golding trying to sway Ferrelli’s future.

Swinney also delivered another message to Golding

“I’m not trying to get anybody fired, but when is enough enough?” Swinney explained. “If we have rules, and tampering is a rule, then there should be a consequence for that. And shame on the adults if we’re not going to hold each other accountable.” After all, if a player has signed to play for a school and another program comes and induces the player to breach it, this could come at the cost of civil liability for tortious interference.

Ole Miss said they did it because the same has been done to them. The fact is that tampering is becoming a big issue now that NIL is in place, and that is a problem the NCAA must solve sooner rather than later.

Clemson has more NIL money than Ole Miss

It’s been reported that Clemson has around $15 million in NIL money this season. Ole Miss has around $10 million. While both are considered aggressive in the NIL space, Ole Miss trying to poach a player from Clemson is opportunistic. In the end, Clemson has more money, but that doesn’t mean they could just improve the offer on the table.

After all, Clemson might have its money allocated elsewhere or have other plans in store. Also, unpunished tampering could be use in that way. Make programs overpay to retain talent to minimize their chances of making more moves. Swinney was pretty aggressive in his accusation, but he does have a point. If these conducts aren’t punished, it’s a bad look for all parties involved.

The senior QB is in the final year of his three-year tenure as the primary signal-caller for this prestigious program, suggesting that his future could eventually be tied to an NFL franchise in the near term.

After the game in which Dabo Swinney’s Tigers fell at home by just one point to the Blue Devils, 45–46, Klubnik couldn’t hide his emotions—both about the current situation and what lies ahead.

“In terms of my motivation, I lean on my faith a lot and God says whatever you do, do it as if you’re working for the Lord,” he said, via The State Newspaper’s Chapel Fowler. “I’m going to continue to play quarterback and continue to lead, as if I’m working for the Lord. I think that the biggest thing, other than that, is that I love this place. I love everything about it.”

“I only have a few more days here, and I just want to give it everything I have, and I feel like I have,” Klubnik also added. “The fans that are here, the community, and everything of what it means to be here, it’s been a dream come true. So, just continue to fight for four more weeks.”

What lies ahead for Klubnik?

Cade Klubnik is approaching a critical juncture in his career as his senior season winds down, facing the choice of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Klubnik began the year with considerable buzz—even being projected by some analysts as a potential No. 1 overall pick—but an inconsistent start to the 2025 season has caused his draft stock to fluctuate dramatically.

While evaluators still acknowledge his arm talent and mobility, some recent projections now view him as a Day 2 or Day 3 selection. With his senior year experience now complete, the quarterback must decide whether his current tape is strong enough to make the leap or if he would benefit from returning for a final collegiate season. His ultimate decision will hinge on the draft feedback he receives in the coming weeks.

Bouncing back from a tough season

Clemson faces a pivotal three-game run that will define the end of their season, starting this Saturday with a massive home clash against heated rival Florida State. Following the primetime showdown in Death Valley, the Tigers hit the road for a tough Friday night ACC battle at Louisville.

They then return home for a tune-up game against FCS opponent Furman before the rivalry finale. This stretch, headlined by two key ACC matchups, is a must-win for the Tigers to salvage their season’s goals.

Swinney admitted he understands the anger surrounding the program’s recent struggles. “I’m disappointed, too,” he said. “There’s no quit in me, and I’m confident something good will come out of this.” It was a message of both realism and resilience from a coach who’s long prided himself on building a program with staying power.

He also gave credit to SMU and head coach Rhett Lashlee for how they performed inside Memorial Stadium. “Congratulations to Rhett and SMU. I thought they outplayed us,” Swinney said. “The one positive is I thought our guys competed our b—- off, and I appreciate that.” For a team that’s seen multiple home losses pile up, that competitiveness remains one of the few positives.

When asked what changes might be needed, Swinney kept his focus simple. “We’ve just gotta get back to work,” he said. “All we can do is watch the film, evaluate, and see what personnel changes need to be made going forward.” His words reflected a coach determined to correct mistakes through effort rather than excuses.

Swinney looks ahead as Clemson prepares for Duke

Swinney was particularly candid when discussing the defense, which couldn’t produce a crucial stop late in the game. “At the end of the day, we had four timeouts and it’s a five-point game,” he said. “We just couldn’t get the ball back.” It was a moment that summed up Clemson’s current frustrations—close, but not quite enough.

Addressing the reality of losing five straight home games to power conference opponents dating back to last year, Swinney didn’t sugarcoat it. “Jarring. Yeah, jarring. But it is what it is,” he said. “There’s nothing to do but move on and try to win the next one—you can’t change those results.”

Now, with Duke coming to town next week, the Tigers are at a crossroads. Swinney’s confidence hasn’t wavered despite the setbacks. His message to Clemson Nation was clear: there’s work to do, and there’s still belief that better days lie ahead.

The main concern for Dabo Swinney’s team centers around the availability of their starting quarterback. Due to an ankle injury, Klubnik’s status remains in doubt ahead of this afternoon’s crucial matchup — one that could prove pivotal for Clemson’s season.

According to college football insider Pete Thamel, via his official X account (formerly Twitter), a final decision on Clemson’s starting quarterback will be made just before kickoff.

“Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (ankle) remains questionable for the Tigers against SMU, with his 34-game starting streak in peril. Klubnik status isn’t expected to be known until game-time, per ESPN sources, as there’s a general feeling of pessimism over his availability,” the insider reported via @PeteThamel.

What injury is bothering Klubnik?

Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik is currently dealing with a right ankle sprain sustained late in the third quarter of last Saturday’s win over Boston College. The injury occurred after a play where he rolled onto his ankle during a nine-yard scoring attempt.

Coach Dabo Swinney confirmed the sprain, and Klubnik has been limited in practice all week, leaving his status as questionable for this weekend’s game against SMU.

Quarterback options for Dabo Swinney

With starting QB Cade Klubnik officially listed as questionable, all eyes are on the Clemson quarterback depth chart, where Head Coach Dabo Swinney has confirmed redshirt sophomore Christopher Vizzina is the primary backup.

Vizzina, a former four-star recruit, has been taking the majority of first-team reps in practice this week and is set to make his first career start should Klubnik be sidelined. While Swinney has expressed confidence in Vizzina’s readiness, the coaching staff has also prepared third-string quarterback Trent Pearman for the possibility of seeing action against SMU.

Right now, the main concern for the Tigers’ coaching staff revolves around the health of their quarterback. During his last outing against Boston College, Klubnik suffered an ankle sprain, which forced him to miss Tuesday’s practice.

In a recent media availability, head coach Swinney addressed the possibility of having his starting signal-caller back under center at Memorial Stadium, expressing optimism about Klubnik’s chances to suit up against SMU.

“He’s sore but expect him to play (vs. SMU),” Swinney said on his press conference. “We’ll be smart with him, and we got almost a week before game time. The main thing is just getting him to make sure he’s got the plan down.”

The second-year quarterback has played a key role in revitalizing Clemson’s offense, connecting on 81.5% of his throws for 534 yards and six touchdowns across his last two outings.

A turning point in the season

This weekend’s matchup between the Clemson Tigers and the SMU Mustangs is not just another game; it’s an absolute pivot point for Klubnik’s team season. A loss here would drop the Tigers to a deeply disappointing 3-4 record right in the heart of the NCAAF campaign.

At a time when bowl eligibility hangs in the balance and the conference race is beginning to take shape, falling below .500 would be a massive setback, jeopardizing their goals and placing immense pressure on the coaching staff. For Clemson, this is a must-win contest to save their season and prove they can compete against the top tier of their conference.

Why Klubnik’s presence matters for Clemson

As Clemson battles to keep its season afloat with a 3-3 record, quarterback Cade Klubnik’s performance remains the singular key to the team’s success. Through six games, the senior signal-caller has posted solid numbers, throwing for 1,530 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and a 65.8% completion percentage.

His ability to move the offense is indispensable; he accounts for the majority of the team’s production with 1,634 total yards (1,530 passing, 104 rushing). However, with the Tigers still chasing their championship aspirations, Klubnik must maintain his strong passing efficiency and cut down on his 5 interceptions for Clemson to climb the ACC standings.

One of the more notable texts eminded him that “tough times are a cleansing, because it shows you who’s with you.” Swinney didn’t identify the coach but made it clear the message resonated. The timing, he noted, was important as Clemson looks to regroup after a rocky opening month.

Swinney also mentioned hearing from what he called “a very prominent person,” though he didn’t reveal the name. That friend told him, “This is great, because you’re gonna figure out who your friends are. Love you, brother.” According to Fowler, the coach appreciated the reminder that even in tough times, support often comes from unexpected places.

Despite the Good Messages, Swinney Isn’t Happy

Following the team’s tough 1-3 start, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was direct about his frustrations, stating, “I’m not happy with anything, because we’re 1-3.” The only bright spots he noted were the team’s punting and the standout performance of Jack Smith.

Swinney put his team’s struggles in perspective after the 1-3 start, stating that “there’s a lot worse things in life than a rough stretch in football.” The coach said he believes this rough patch “too shall pass” and that “God never says oops.” While calling it “one of the disappointments I’ve had in a long time professionally,” Swinney maintained his faith that the experience will ultimately become a positive.

Swinney defended quarterback Cade Klubnik by stating he believes the young signal-caller is “giving us an opportunity to win.” Acknowledging the frustration of fans who “only see the bad things,” Swinney added that there is “no question” that Klubnik can play better going forward, and he expects him to do just that.

The recent loss to Syracuse hit hard within this successful program, with many questioning whether Klubnik should remain the starting quarterback or if, instead, backup Christopher Vizzina should be given a chance to lead the team.

During a recent press conference, questions about this situation were inevitable, but it was the coach himself who dismissed any speculation about a QB change for the upcoming game against North Carolina.

“We didn’t. I thought Cade competed his butt off,” Swinney said. “And, you know, he certainly missed a couple plays, but he made some good ones too. Made a lot of good ones. I thought he was good in the first half. Just couldn’t really get the ball and … no, I did not. We did not think about that.”

Time to raise their game

Swinney knows there’s no time to dwell on being 1-3 this season, especially with a rematch coming up soon in Chapel Hill. While the opponent will be tough, the head coach trusts his players’ talent to pull through.

“They give you eight (more games) for a reason, but we’ve got no room for error,” he said. “We’re uphill and the wind is at our face, for sure. Hey, we gotta go do it the hard way. Not going to be able to do it the easy way, but we’re not out. As long as we stay together and keep competing, anything can happen. The good news is, we’ve got a good team.

“We played a tough opener, we could’ve played East-West University, right? It probably feels different right now. We’ve got two losses that came down to the last freaking play of the game, and we’ve had opportunities in both of those games. Putting it all together has been our problem, that’s really been the frustrating thing.”

Taking responsibility

True to his style, Swinney made it clear that the responsibility for this slow start to the college football season rests with him — not his players, including Klubnik.

“It all falls on me, it’s my responsibility,” Swinney said. “I’m the head coach and I’ve been here a long time, been in a lot of games. I’ve had some 2-3 starts, in fact, in my first year and we went all the way to the ACC Championship game. I think we lost down here. We’ve had a couple of those type of moments, you just keep playing the games.

“I know the world we live in, I know the world we’ve created at Clemson with high expectations and excellence. I don’t have my head in the sand. I know there’s gonna be a ton of negativity, that comes with it. We can’t do anything about that, we’ve got to stay together and go play. In the end, you don’t have the start you want, but you can have the kind of ending you want. You still control that.”

The head coach spoke with raw honesty, calling the outcome “incredibly disappointing” and saying his heart hurt for both the players and fans. He admitted that the Tigers simply “can’t seem to get on the same page,” a brutal assessment for a program built on unity.

Swinney pointed to both sides of the ball, praising moments of effort but stressing that Clemson is failing to play complementary football. Missed chances, blown assignments, and a lack of finishing drives haunted them again at Memorial Stadium.

The frustration was visible, but so was the vulnerability. Cameras caught an emotional Swinney after the game, and he admitted, “I’m human. I’m not a cyborg. I hurt for our team and I hurt for our fans.”

Swinney is Owning the Struggles

Swinney didn’t shy away from taking the blame for Clemson’s early collapse this season. He said it was his job to make them better, and right now, they are far from it. “This is not the start to our season that any of us envisioned,” he admitted.

At 1-3 with two home losses already, he knows the standard is slipping. Swinney stressed that despite the frustration, his players are fighting hard, and the bye week is arriving at a crucial moment to reset both physically and emotionally.

Klubnik’s job is safe

The quarterback question also loomed, but Swinney made clear Cade Klubnik wasn’t going to be benched. Klubnik threw 60 passes, showing fight even in a flawed performance. The message from Swinney was clear: this is the group, and they must find a way forward together.

Clemson’s struggles are not just about talent but about execution and trust. Swinney revealed that even when the team anticipated a Syracuse onside kick, they failed to stop it. “We literally said, ‘don’t be surprised for a surprise,’ and they still executed it,” he said.

However, Tigers fans will have to wait a little longer, as the game has been delayed due to a lightning storm, and the restart is expected to take longer than initially planned.

The visitors held a 7-0 lead when it was announced that the game would be halted due to bad weather at the stadium.

Clemson started their campaign in College Football with a 17-10 loss, also at Memorial Stadium, so they will be looking to secure their first win to dispel any doubts about their level.

Bouncing back from the first loss

In one of college football’s most anticipated season openers, the Clemson Tigers’ national championship aspirations took a significant hit with a tough loss to the LSU Tigers. The defeat was a sobering reality check for a team with championship-or-bust expectations.

While the offense showed flashes of brilliance, the defense struggled to contain a potent LSU attack, leaving many to question if this team has what it takes to get to the next level. Now, head coach Dabo Swinney and his squad must regroup immediately.

With no room for error, Clemson faces a must-win game next week to get back on track and prove they are still serious contenders for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Cade Klubnik’s performance also came under scrutiny, prompting his current head coach to step up in defense of both young quarterbacks. Swinney emphasized that despite the early struggles, both Manning and Klubnik possess the talent and potential to thrive at the highest level of college football.

“None of that stuff matters, but these are young people, right? These are kids,” Swinney said during his press conference. “They’re not robots. I mean, I know we have so much talk about Arch, right? Arch Manning is gonna be a freaking superstar.

“And people that don’t believe that, they’re just stupid. He’s gonna be a superstar …But, what’s been put on this kid? I mean, like, I mean, it’s unbelievable. And all sudden, now it’s like, okay, you make a bad play or, I mean, the guys just playing, it’s the same thing with our guy, you know?

He also added: “Like he’s the worst quarterback in the history of football and then he goes to, now he’s a Heisman guy, now he sucks again. So that’s football. But you just, you just have to learn how to manage that stuff … This is what you sign up for … This is what we do … this is our world. You fail in front of everybody, and you succeed in front of everybody, and you got to be able to handle both of those things.”

A tough start for Manning

Manning’s debut with the Longhorns was a tough one. The highly-touted freshman quarterback, struggled to find his rhythm in a gritty 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes. The Texas offense stalled repeatedly, managing only a single touchdown as Manning faced consistent pressure and the Texas offensive line failed to open up lanes for the running backs.

It was a challenging welcome to college football for Manning as a starter, who will need to quickly adjust to the speed and physicality of the game if the Longhorns hope to contend for a championship.

Sarkisian’s frustration

Steve Sarkisian is well aware of what it means to have a Manning under center for the Longhorns this season — and the pressure that comes with it. That’s why he didn’t hide his frustration after watching his quarterback struggle to find his footing throughout the game against the Buckeyes.

“I was pretty frustrated coming out at the first half,” Sarkisian said. “Because I felt like we had a good plan. But I wasn’t mad in the sense I felt like, if I could just calm Arch and get him into a space. That’s why we met him directly at halftime. Like I said, I thought we played a really good second half.

“If you would have told me we were going to go out and have just about 260 yards in the second half against that defense, but only score seven points, that’s where the disappointment came in that we weren’t able to get more points. Our ability to move the football in the second half.”

More opportunities ahead

Despite a shaky debut for Manning and his Longhorns, Sarkisian’s team faces a series of upcoming games where the quarterback could begin to unlock his full potential — if he’s able to rise to the challenge.

• vs San Jose State, September 6
• vs UTEP, September 13
• vs Sam Houston, September 20
• @ Florida, October 4
• @ Oklahoma, October 11

Swinney stressed that the matchup was a battle of equals. “It was a heavyweight fight as far as a football game,” he said. “It was two top 10 teams on the field tonight battling it out. It was tied in the fourth quarter.” But a handful of mistakes cost Clemson late.

“Give credit to LSU,” Swinney added. “They just made a couple more plays, and we made a couple more critical errors. In games like this, that’s what it’s going to come down to.” Despite the disappointment, he said his team will grow from the experience.

Clemson must regroup quickly

Swinney admitted frustrations with Clemson’s offense, particularly the ground game. “We didn’t get the run game going,” he said. The Tigers rushed 20 times for just 31 yards. “Plenty of opportunities, and we missed our opportunities. We didn’t run the ball effectively at all.”

Quarterback Cade Klubnik’s performance also drew Swinney’s attention. “Gotta be better. Just gotta be better,” he said of the junior signal-caller. “He’d be the first one to tell you that.” Still, he praised his players for battling to the end despite offensive struggles.

The coach also pointed to positives on defense, though penalties proved costly. “I really thought we did a lot of great things defensively. Just too many costly penalties. Those are plays that can haunt you.” Clemson now turns the page quickly, with its next game set for September 9 at home against Troy.