Photo by : Myah Suber
CLEMSON — Football is officially back.
Thursday marked Clemson’s first practice of the 2026 preseason, and with LSU just a month away, the message from head coach Dabo Swinney was clear: nobody has a job locked up, every practice matters, and every rep is being evaluated.
The opening day wasn’t about installing the entire game plan. It was about setting the tone for the next four weeks.
Dabo Swinney: “Control What You Can Control”
Swinney emphasized that the first practice is about beginning the evaluation process rather than making depth chart decisions.
One of his strongest messages to the team centered around focusing on individual improvement instead of worrying about outside distractions.
That mentality has become the theme of Clemson’s preseason.
Whether it’s a returning starter, a transfer portal addition or a freshman, every player begins camp with an opportunity to earn playing time.
Swinney also reminded everyone that the first day is never perfect.
Execution improves over time, but effort, energy and attention to detail have to be present from Day One.
The veteran coach said the Tigers have an experienced football team, but experience only matters if players continue to improve every day.
What Coaches Were Looking For
Opening practice wasn’t about flashy plays.
Instead, Clemson’s staff spent the afternoon evaluating:
- Communication on both sides of the football.
- Conditioning after summer workouts.
- Mental mistakes and assignment discipline.
- Ball security.
- Tempo.
- Leadership from veteran players.
- Young players adjusting to the speed of college football.
Those evaluations will continue every practice leading into the season opener against LSU.
