Swinney Sounds Off on NFL Returns

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called the return of NFL players to college football "embarrassing" on Tuesday, as his team gears up for a challenging season opener at LSU. "Rarely am I at a loss for words," Swinney said, per CBS Sports. "But I'm at kind of a loss of words. I would just say it's kind of embarrassing. I mean, honestly, it's just embarrassing that that's where we are. I don't blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it's embarrassing where we are with college football."

The comments come as LSU, under first-year coach Lane Kiffin, is attempting to roster tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, both of whom spent time with NFL franchises during the preseason. Wright was with the Browns, and Harris did a stint with the Saints, according to CBS Sports. The SEC has a rule banning former NFL players from returning to college, but LSU's legal challenge of that rule has left the door open for Wright and Harris to potentially earn eligibility, depending on a Thursday court hearing in Louisiana.

The ACC has passed a similar rule banning former NFL players from returning, CBS Sports reported. Swinney, whose team is a 10-point underdog for the road showdown at No. 11 LSU, joked about the unusual preparation required. "Been spending this last week or so studying the Browns, the Cowboys, the Saints and the Bucs trying to get ready," he said. "I actually got to go watch practice in early June for the Browns. So I'm probably going to get turned in for tampering, I don't know. I wish I'd have known. I'd have paid a little more attention. Yeah, it's crazy. It's hard."

LSU is also 'eyeing' former Utah cornerback Blake Cotton, according to Geaux247, as reported by CBS Sports. Cotton was briefly with the Denver Broncos during NFL preseason camp. Additionally, defensive end Jack Pyburn was claimed off waivers by the Chiefs on Monday after being cut by the Bucs, CBS Sports noted.

Swinney expressed frustration with the lack of clear regulations. "We have no rules. There's no governance. It's a joke. There's zero rules," he said, per CBS Sports.

Swinney Says Clemson Has No Starters

In a separate media appearance, Swinney gave an unusual assessment of his own team's readiness, saying he doesn't believe the Tigers have any starters heading into Week 1, according to Heavy. "In my mind, we still don't have any starters," Swinney said, per Heavy. "Now, we're gonna run some guys out there Saturday (vs. LSU). And then we'll start to make some decisions, because we'll have some performance."

Despite that, Swinney named Christopher Vizzina as the starting quarterback for the LSU game, Heavy reported. He also believes freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds will play, suggesting Vizzina might have a short leash for the opener.

The uncertainty comes as Clemson opens the 2026 season with LSU in Week 1, a significant early test for a program that has made the College Football Playoff just once in the last five years, according to Heavy. The Tigers' schedule includes only one other ranked team: Miami, which Clemson plays at home. Swinney, one of just two active coaches with multiple national championships, has faced criticism from some fans over the team's recent performance, Heavy noted.

Both teams enter the game with some pressure. Kiffin has been under fire for attempting to add NFL players, while Swinney's approach to roster building has drawn scrutiny. A loss in Week 1 could put Clemson in a difficult position as it aims for a playoff berth.