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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts during a college football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 29, 2025 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Spring practice is done, the Spring Transfer Portal isnt a thing anymore, and unless someone departs the program like the old days Clemsons roster is pretty much set for 2026.
But beyond this year there is also the numbers game looking to 2027.
The breakdown can also give us an indication of who may be more likely to leave or stick around, especially as playing time evolves over the 2026 year.
With the expanded roster, teams get 105 roster/scholarship spots that include what was traditionally 85 scholarship spots plus walk ons, it isnt just about numbers, but who can realistically contribute to the team.
It doesnt help having 5 seniors at WR if all five arent even making the travel roster.
QB: 4 (1 Junior, 1 RS Freshman, 2 Freshman) Stop us if youve heard this before.
Talented HS recruit sits behind experienced incumbent for several seasons to be the Next Great Clemson QB.
Yeah, weve been in this position 4 times in the last decade.
Watson, Lawrence, DJU, and Klubnik have all earned that moniker.
Two of them panned out.
The others..
well lets just say there has been a reason Clemson has fallen off.
If we predict things today, Vizzina starts, but the fanbase will quickly clamor for Tait Reynolds.
Indications out of spring ball are that Reynolds is firmly the number 2 guy and Chris Denson could even change positions.
He is that far behind.
Reynolds may be better fits for Chad Morris offense.
If there is going to be a change, expect a repeat of 2014 and 2018 here.
I will just point out that worked pretty well.
RB: 5 (1 RS Junior, 3 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore) It is hard to be too optimistic about this group, but there is some hope.
Chris Johnson Jr.
could be that key piece here, but Dabo has always preferred a committee approach.
It is going to be on this group of sophomores to help provide that depth.
Everyone remembers the passing attack with Morris, but this team has to be able to run the ball for it to work.
Outside of the OL this may be key to any success on offense this year.
WR: 12 (1 RS Senior, 3 RS Junior, 2 Junior, 1 RS Freshman, 5 Freshman) Perhaps the most troublesome spot on Clemsons roster for the past 5 years.
WRU is just the start of a joke at Clemson right now.
There is certainly all the experience you would want.
But until we see how Wesco does when he returns there isnt much optimism, just Daboisms.
If any of the freshman show an ounce of potential they could see a lot of playing time.
Oh and dont forget, Chad is back, if you dont block you dont play.
TE: 4 (1 Senior, 1 RS Sophomore, 1 RS Freshman, 1 Freshman) Roster wise Clemson should be fine.
We all know that the ability of Clemson to utilize the TE effectively is a pretty good predictor of success on offense.
The offense is primed for the position again, we will have to see if Henry and Bentancur can step up and deliver.
OL: 20 (2 RS Senior, 1 Senior, 1 RS Junior, 5 RS Sophomore, 1 Sophomore, 4 RS Freshman, 6 Freshman) If I could do it in ASCII, I would give you an ASCII shrug here.
OL has always been a a state of frustration.
The good news is a lot of experience is back.
And while the OL did struggle last year, it was not as bad as it has been in previous years.
There is a foundation of experience to build on.
And hopefully Chad has brought some of his no nonsense expectations back to Clemson.
That coupled with some better playcalling could really help here.
Overall the breakdown of the roster on offense isnt terrible.
There is a range of experience here across all positions except running back.
This gives us an opportunity for experienced guys to execute, or young guys to jump in if they show an ability to contribute.