CLEMSON — Clemson football‘s spring practice is over.
The Tigers’ last day was March 30 as coach Dabo Swinney‘s team completed 15 practices, including a scrimmage on March 11 and Clemson‘s annual spring game on March 28.
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Swinney and his staff received clarity in multiple position battles, including quarterback, months before Clemson faces LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin in its season opener on Sept. 5 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Clemson looks to improve from a 7-6 record in 2025, which was the second-worst season in Swinney’s full 17 seasons.
Here is our depth chart projection exiting spring practice, looking at starters and top reserves
Clemson football depth chart projections after spring practice
Quarterback
Vizzina exited the spring as Clemson’s No. 1 quarterback, but Reynolds, a freshman, has separated himself as the team’s No. 2. Swinney said Reynolds, a three-star signee, is in position to take the starting job from Vizzina in fall practice, too.
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Running backs
Davidson will be Clemson’s top running back, but he will likely split reps with other players. Johnson, Clemson’s top transfer-portal addition, carries immense speed, and Eziomume is a tough, physical runner who will give offensive coordinator Chad Morris options.
Wide receivers
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Backups: Cole Turner, Tristan Smith, Gordon Sellars, Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin
Receiver is Clemson’s most certain position as the Tigers retained Wesco and Moore. With Antonio Williams gone, Brown will handle slot-receiver duties.
Tight ends
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Starter: Olsen Patt-Henry
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Backups: Christian Bentancur, Charlie Johnson, Logan Brooking
Patt-Henry missed spring practice as he recovers from a patella-tendon injury, but he will be Clemson’s top tight end. Morris’ offense uses multiple tight ends at times, so Bentancur and the rest of the room will be used situationally.
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Offensive line
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Starters: Brayden Jacobs (left tackle), Elyjah Thurmon (left guard), Harris Sewell (center), Collin Sadler (right guard), Easton Ware (right tackle)
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Backups: Grant Wise, Ronan O’Connell, Tucket Kattus, Gavin Blanchard
Outside of quarterback, the offensive line was another concern for Clemson this offseason. The Tigers lost three offensive line starters and did not land an experienced transfer.
Still, Clemson’s offensive line will be more athletic even though the unit will lack experience.
MORE: Why Dabo Swinney said Clemson has ‘clarity’ in QB competition after spring game
Defensive line
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Starters: DE Will Heldt, DE Jahiem Lawson, DT Markus Strong, DT Amare Adams
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Backups: DE London Merritt, DE Darien Mayo, DE Ari Watford, DT Champ Thompson, DT Vic Burley, DT Andy Burburija
Clemson lost four defensive line starters but retained Heldt, the team’s sack leader. Lawson will play opposite of Heldt, and Oklahoma transfer Markus Strong will be a defensive tackle starter. Adams, Clemson’s top signee in the 2025 cycle, has been injured this spring but will likely slot in next to Strong.
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Defensive coordinator Tom Allen wants to rotate players and has been encouraged by the depth that Clemson has shown in spring.
Linebackers
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Starters: Sammy Brown, Kobe McCloud, Jeremiah Alexander (strongside)
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Backups: Kobe McCloud, CJ Kubah-Taylor, Fletcher Cothran
Despite losing Cal transfer Luke Ferelli to Ole Miss, Clemson is optimistic about its linebacker unit.
Brown is Clemson’s top linebacker, and the Tigers have seen growth from the entire unit. McCloud has worked his way to be a starter alongside Brown, and Alexander is among the team’s top three linebackers.
Cornerbacks
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Starters: Ashton Hampton, Elliot Washington II, Misun Kelley (nickel)
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Backups: Branden Strozier, Corian Gipson, Donovan Starr
Hampton is back for his junior season and Washington, a Penn State transfer, has been one of the best players in the spring, according to Swinney. Kelly is competing to be the team’s nickel cornerback with Gipson and Starr.
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MORE: 5 intriguing players who stood out for Dabo Swinney at Clemson football spring game
Safeties
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Starters: Jerome Carter III, Corey Myrick
Carter, an Old Dominion transfer, and Myrick, a Southern Miss transfer, were Clemson’s top two portal targets. Swinney is banking on them to help Clemson’s secondary. Hanafin is also among the team’s top three safeties who will rotate in different situations.
Kicker
Swinney has no worries about Hauser, despite having missed kicks in the team’s scrimmage and spring game. Hauser was 17-of-21 on field goal attempts last season.
Punter
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Backups: Will McCune, Robert Gunn III
Smith won the starting punter position last season and will handle those duties again in 2026.
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football 2026 depth chart projection for Dabo Swinney
