Clemson’s season has been nothing short of tumultuous. They are sitting at 4-5 after being ranked No. 4 in the preseason polls and positioned as national championship contenders. Dabo Swinney addressed the media this week, offering clarity about where his program stands. More importantly, he talked about who’s earning their spot on the field versus who’s watching from the sideline. 

The HC didn’t mince words when discussing cornerback Jeadyn Lukus. He has barely seen the field recently despite being listed on the depth chart. “Just playing the guys who have earned it and played the best,” Swinney said bluntly when asked about Lukus’s absence. “It’s nothing against J-Lu, it’s what Strozier has done.” He emphasized this wasn’t an injury situation but purely based on performance. Avieon Strozier has simply outplayed him in practice and taken advantage of his opportunities in the secondary. 

The running back rotation has seen similar shake-ups. Redshirt freshman David Eziomume was completely absent from the field over the last two games despite showing promise earlier in the year. Eziomume appeared poised for a larger role after tallying 10 carries for 62 yards across five games last season. 

But Swinney was diplomatic yet direct when explaining the situation. He said, “Not anything against David. I think he’s a great player, gonna have a lot of great days ahead. He’s a redshirt freshman, and that’s just where we are right now.” Guys like Keith Adams Jr. and Gideon Davidson have jumped him in the pecking order. The coaching staff is sticking with what’s working. But the most striking comments Swinney made centered on his quarterback’s remarkable toughness.

Cade Klubnik has been playing through legitimate injuries that would sideline most players. It included a quad contusion that left him barely able to walk during the week leading up to the Florida State game. “He’s got complete respect of this football team … he’s a warrior, man,” Swinney said, his voice carrying genuine admiration.

“If Cade Klubnik can play, he’s gonna play. There’s a lot of guys who wouldn’t be playing, especially guys who know they’re going on to the NFL.” That last line speaks volumes. Klubnik, who’s projected as a potential NFL draft pick, is risking further injury rather than sitting out meaningless games in a lost season. The 22-year-old senior missed most of practice before the FSU matchup. 

He did nothing on Monday, hardly anything on Tuesday, and only took light reps midweek before somehow delivering a 221-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 31-23 victory. “It’s a miracle he was even out there running at all,” Swinney revealed afterward, noting that Klubnik could “hardly walk all the way till Thursday.” The quarterback’s leadership has been one of the few bright spots in Clemson’s disappointing campaign, finishing 20-of-27 with a 155.1 passer rating while protecting the football against the Seminoles.​

These roster decisions and injury updates paint a picture of a program in flux. They are desperately trying to build momentum after dropping three of their first four games. Clemson has rebounded with recent wins over struggling opponents like North Carolina, Boston College, and Florida State. But the reality is they’re fighting for bowl eligibility rather than ACC championships and playoff berths.

Swinney’s playoff expansion critique

Dabo Swinney doesn’t pull punches when discussing what he sees as a fundamental problem destroying college football. His recent comments paint a picture of a coach wrestling with a system that’s shifted beneath his feet. “We’ve got 136 teams for 12 spots. We’ve made it all about the playoffs, so people are losing their jobs,” Dabo Swinney said in a recent interview. 

“People like us, you’re out of the playoffs early, and now it’s not about your season anymore… It’s not feasible. Maybe we need a 48-team (playoff).” That last suggestion might sound absurd on its face, but Dabo Swinney’s point cuts deeper. He’s arguing that the 12-team playoff, which was supposed to create more opportunities and reduce pressure, has actually intensified the win-now mentality to unsustainable levels. 124 out of 136 FBS programs have no realistic shot at the postseason that matters. Coaches are getting axed for failing to reach an impossibly narrow target. ​​

The Clemson coach got even more pointed when he addressed what college football has lost in this transformation. “What made college football special was about your season, the pageantry of your program, the relationships, getting to the postseason, and your rival games. Now, it’s all about the playoffs,” Swinney explained. “But the system is set up … People are going to get fired. How many coaches have won championships in college football? Some of the best coaches to ever coach this game didn’t win a championship.”

He’s not wrong. Legendary coaches like Mike Leach revolutionized offensive football without ever winning a national title. Historic rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State used to be their own endgame regardless of playoff implications. But the playoffs seem to be getting more attention rather than the actual football.