Clemson Tigers fans will be fired up over this bold claim from head coach Dabo Swinney.
The Clemson Tigers certainly had a disappointing 2025 campaign, going 7-6 in spite of entering the year with national championship aspirations.
It marked Clemson's worst finish since going 6-7 in Dabo Swinney's second full season at the helm back in 2010, and it appeared to be a clear indication that the once-dominant Tigers have fallen behind the rest of the pack.
However, Swinney is expecting bigger things from his squad in 2026, and he is particularly excited about the receiving crops.
Clemson bagged three four-star wide receivers for its 2026 recruiting class in Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin and Gordon Sellars III, and throughout watching them in spring practice, Swinney has come away very impressed.
"We hit on them. It’s an elite class," Swinney told reporters. "Again, they’re not elite college football players yet, but they’re elite talent. So, we’ve got a lot of coaching to do. They’ve got a lot of developing to do between now and September."
Clemson Tigers receiver Naeem Burroughs. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.The Tigers are returning star wide receiver T.J. Moore (who is currently limited after undergoing lower body surgery), but they also lost Antonio Williams to the NFL Draft. Plus, there are questions about Bryant Wesco coming off of such a scary injury.
That makes the potential contributions of the three four-star freshmen all the more important next fall.
"A lot to learn. A lot of details. When you got a lot of thinking going on, it can be a little sloppy at times," Swinney added. "But just who they are – big, strong, athletic. Really, really fast. All three of them can really, really run."
Swinney is hoping that all three receivers will be prepared to assume significant roles once the 2026 regular season begins.
"It’s a lot going on. But that’s what spring’s all about, is to throw as much at them, see what sticks and then what doesn’t, grab it back up and let’s throw it back at them again," Swinney said. "And then hopefully by the time we get to September, we’ve got some guys that are confident and ready to go play."
Clemson will open up on the road against LSU on Sept. 5.
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