While national media opinions remain divided on Clemson following its omission from the preseason AP Top 25 poll, college football analyst Josh Pate expressed continued optimism regarding head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers’ 2026 trajectory.
Speaking on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, the analyst dismissed suggestions that Swinney should face job pressure following last season’s 7-6 record.
“I hadn’t put Dabo Swinney on the hot seat,” Pate said. “Maybe other people have; maybe you’ve heard other people say that. I haven’t done that. I think that’s dumb.”
Addressing 2025 Shortcomings and Offseason Adjustments
Pate pointed out that Clemson’s 2025 campaign suffered from clear operational weaknesses, which Swinney addressed through coaching and roster changes.
“They couldn’t run the ball. They couldn’t defend the pass,” Pate said. “They were 105th in rush yards per game. They were 120th in pass yards allowed per game. So, did that change? I think so.”
Swinney rehired offensive coordinator Chad Morris to re-establish the ground game while restructuring the defensive secondary with new staff members and transfer portal additions.
Pate highlighted specific position groups as primary reasons for confidence entering the fall.
“That wide receiver room is really, really good,” Pate said. “Will Heldt is one of the best edges in the country. They added good portal pieces in the secondary. I’d say Ashton Hampton, who’s a homegrown guy, maybe one of the best corners in the country this year.”
Quarterback Dynamics and Trench Play
At quarterback, redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina is positioned to take over as the starter following Cade Klubnik’s departure. Pate noted an intangible chemistry factor surrounding Vizzina’s leadership.
“The one thing I’d be really excited about, from an intangible standpoint, is I can say the team will fight for Chris Vizzina,” Pate said. “. . .I don’t know if I would have said that about the quarterback position at Clemson last year, and that matters.”
Along the offensive line, Pate pointed to assistant coach Matt Luke as a stabilizing force as Clemson integrates new starters into the unit.
“It sounded kind of up and down to me in fall camp so far, but I’ll tell you this: if anybody’s going to get it out of them, I think Matt Luke’s a guy I would trust, so I wouldn’t write them off,” Pate said.
Clemson will test its revamped roster on Sept. 5 when it opens the regular season against LSU in Baton Rouge.
