Clemson Spring Game 2025: Injuries Force Format Changes, TV Blackout Looms Large
Clemson University’s annual Orange and White Spring Game, set for Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET in Memorial Stadium, is undergoing significant changes this year. A rash of injuries has depleted the Tigers’ roster, prompting head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff to rethink the traditional game format. Adding to the upheaval, the event will not be televised—a departure from recent years—opting instead for an in-house production. As the Tigers prepare for this retooled showcase, the focus shifts to player development, fan engagement, and navigating a challenging offseason.
Injuries Reshape the Roster
Clemson’s spring practice has been marred by injuries, sidelining key contributors and forcing adjustments to the spring game lineup. Here’s a rundown of the affected players and their conditions:
- Jay Haynes (Redshirt Sophomore RB) – Suffered an ACL tear in the ACC Championship Game in December 2024. “Y’all all know about Jay Haynes getting hurt in the Championship Game,” Swinney said on February 28, confirming Haynes will miss all spring activities as he rehabilitates.
- Tristan Leigh (Redshirt Senior LT) – Underwent a minor ankle procedure after the 2024 season. Swinney updated his status on March 26, saying, “Tristan Leigh’s on a scooter right now, but he’ll be fine. He had a little procedure on his ankle.” Leigh sat out the March 26 scrimmage, with freshman Brayden Jacobs stepping in.
- Jarvis Green (Redshirt Sophomore RB) – Diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain after impressing in the College Football Playoff. “Really hate Jarvis is out, because he was having a good spring,” Swinney lamented on March 28. Green will miss the remainder of spring practice.
- Logan Anderson (Freshman LB) – Recovering from an ACL injury sustained during his high school season. “He’s really doing well, but he won’t get any live work this spring,” Swinney noted on February 28.
- Olsen Patt-Henry (Junior TE) – Underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason. “He’s doing great as well. His was a shoulder,” Swinney said, ruling him out for spring reps.
- Zaire Patterson (Redshirt Senior DE) – Broke his foot, limiting his participation. “Zaire Patterson broke his foot, so he’s working through that and coming back,” Swinney reported on February 28.
- Tyler Brown (Sophomore WR) – Missed most of 2024 with an injury and remains sidelined. Swinney updated on February 28, “Tyler Brown’s still working his way back,” suggesting he won’t be full-go for the spring game.
These absences have left Clemson “down so many people,” as Swinney put it, prompting a reevaluation of how to structure the April 5 event.
Format Changes: From Game to Scrimmage
Traditionally, Clemson’s spring game pits the roster against itself in a full Orange vs. White matchup, complete with split squads and a competitive scoreline. This year, however, the injury toll has rendered that format impractical. “We’re just down so many people, so it will be hard to split the team,” Swinney explained after the March 26 scrimmage. Instead, the Tigers will host a controlled scrimmage, pitting the first and second offenses against a unified defense.
“We will have a first offense, second offense that go against each other,” Swinney detailed. “We will have defense on one and offense on the other, so we can sub like we need to without having them on different sides of the field.” The event may kick off with situational drills, such as seven-on-seven “skelly” or offensive line vs. defensive line pass rush periods, before transitioning into the scrimmage. “It will be a great day to come out and see our team,” Swinney added, promising a “fun day” despite the tweaks.
Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley embraced the shift, viewing it as a chance to evaluate younger players. “With the injuries, it’s an opportunity to see some of these guys in different scenarios,” Riley said in a March 30 interview. “We’re not trying to overcomplicate it—just get good work in.”
Players have mixed feelings about the change. Redshirt freshman quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who’s taken first-team reps in spring due to Cade Klubnik’s limited live exposure, sees it as a growth opportunity. “It’s not the usual game, but I’m excited to get out there and show what I can do,” Vizzina said after the March 26 scrimmage. “Coach keeps telling me I’ve gotta be ready to win a game if the moment comes.”
No TV Coverage: An In-House Experiment
Perhaps the most striking departure this year is the absence of a televised broadcast. In past seasons, the spring game aired on ACC Network Extra or similar platforms, drawing fans unable to attend in person. For 2025, Clemson has opted for an in-house production, a one-hour special to be streamed on Clemson+ for IPTAY donors, with no live TV option available.
“We could have had it on TV, but it was our decision not to put it on TV,” Swinney clarified on March 26. “It was not like someone did not want to do it. We made the decision to do our own in-house thing.” The move aims to sidestep the “drama” of coordinating with a network, shorten the event’s runtime (avoiding commercial breaks), and boost in-person attendance. “I hope that’ll mean even more people come,” Swinney said on March 31. “It’s a free opportunity to come see the Tigers.”
The decision aligns with a broader trend in college football, as programs like Texas, Ohio State, and Alabama have canceled or restricted access to their spring games amid tampering concerns tied to the April 16-25 transfer portal window. Swinney, however, dismissed such worries. “Canceling the spring game ain’t gonna stop tampering,” he scoffed on February 28. “I’m not worried about any of that stuff. People are gonna tamper. [Players] don’t want to be here? Don’t be here. We’ll go get somebody.”
Analyst Greg McElroy of ESPN sees Clemson’s approach as pragmatic. “Swinney’s not hiding his roster—he’s just prioritizing development over spectacle,” McElroy said on his March 29 podcast. “With the injuries, a full game wasn’t feasible, and the in-house production lets them control the narrative. It’s a smart pivot.”
Standouts and Insights Amid the Chaos
Despite the setbacks, spring practice has spotlighted emerging talent. Freshman running back Gideon Davidson has dazzled, earning high praise from Swinney. “He’s a natural,” Swinney said after the March 12 scrimmage. “You just notice him.” Riley added, “He just strikes me as a person that’s not really fazed by a whole lot,” highlighting Davidson’s poise.
Freshman defensive tackle Amare Adams has also impressed. “There’s times when it’s like, ‘Wow, that guy is really different,’” Swinney gushed on March 22. Transfer defensive end Will Heldt, from Purdue, made waves with a sack in the March 26 scrimmage. “He looks like he’s been here for four years,” Swinney noted.
Analysts are optimistic about Clemson’s trajectory. ESPN’s David Hale pegged Davidson as the Tigers’ 2025 breakout player, writing, “If there’s a true superstar to emerge, set those sights on Davidson.” CBS Sports’ Will Backus predicted, “Davidson will have every opportunity to carve out a starting role right away.”
Looking Ahead
The retooled spring game won’t resemble its predecessors, but Swinney remains focused on its purpose. “I look at our scrimmage opportunities as a chance to expose your guys, teach ’em,” he said on March 4. With LSU awaiting in the 2025 season opener, these reps are critical—especially for a roster in flux.
For fans, the lack of TV coverage stings, but the promise of a free, live glimpse at the next wave of Tigers might soften the blow. As Swinney put it on March 31, “We’re gonna produce it… It’ll be a good day.” Whether that vision holds amid the injury-riddled spring remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Clemson’s resilience, a hallmark of Swinney’s tenure, will be on full display April 5.
