Clemson Sports Talk

Clemson heads west with a 10 p.m. tip, a road streak to protect, and a chance to prove it can survive the weirdest trip in the new ACC.TEXT: 803-450-0086WEBSITE: ClemsonSportsTalk.com

Clemson built a college football powerhouse by recruiting differently — fewer offers, later evaluations, and a firm belief in culture over convenience. But in the NIL era, is that approach still enough?In this episode, Lawton Swann takes a hard look at Clemson's current recruiting philosophy, sparked by five-star cornerback Josh Dobson trending toward LSU despite growing up a Clemson fan. Is this simply one recruitment that didn't go the Tigers' way — or a warning sign that college football has changed faster than Clemson's methods?We examine how Dabo Swinney built the program at the sport's peak, why that model once worked, and whether it can still land elite talent in a world driven by NIL, early offers, and aggressive SEC recruiting. Plus, what “making the playoff” really means in the expanded era — and why that bar isn't what it used to be.TEXT: 803-450-0086WEBSITE: ClemsonSportsTalk.com

A wintry Midlands Monday, a workmanlike win over Pitt, and the looming West Coast swing that's been chewing up ACC teams.

Swanny unpacks why college football feels stuck in slow-motion chaos, using Dabo Swinney's blunt takedown of Ole Miss' alleged tampering as the latest proof that the sport is sinking without real rules or consequences. As more voices and examples surface—from Fresno State to player-led accounts of in-season contact—the show explores how agents, unchecked transfers, and NIL money are dragging the game deeper into the muck.Plus, a look at Clemson basketball rolling near the top of the ACC, insight from William Qualkinbush and Jason Priester on hoops and recruiting, and why the longer this goes unaddressed, the harder it may be for college football to pull itself out.Text/Call the show: 803-450-0086Website: ClemsonSportsTalk.com

Swanny opens with a jaw-dropping look at South Carolina men's basketball getting run out of its own gym in a 95-48 embarrassment vs. Florida and asks the obvious question: how is that not a fireable offense?From there, the show pivots back to the chaos shaking college sports as Dabo Swinney's tampering accusations against Ole Miss continue to snowball — now with reports that Fresno State has “receipts” too. Plus: Tim Bourret joins the program to discuss Clemson hoops surging, the upcoming Pitt game (and winter weather concerns), and what went into Dabo's headline-making press conference as college football's “lawlessness” hits a breaking point.Text/Call the show: 803-450-0086Website: ClemsonSportsTalk.com

On today's Clemson Sports Talk, Swanny breaks down the Luke Ferrelli/Ole Miss tampering controversy and why Dabo Swinney's message to fellow coaches hit so hard: “Step up and call it out… or shut your mouth.” If there are no consequences for coaches, programs, or agents, what stops college football from turning into total lawlessness?Swanny also dives into Dabo's proposed fixes for the sport — starting with the calendar — and what real accountability could look like if the NCAA won't act. Plus: a “good of the day” moment as Clemson women's basketball pulls off an emotional birthday surprise, a quick look at Clemson hoops and the ACC road streak, and a wild note on Bill Belichick not being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Text/Call the show: 803-450-0086Website: ClemsonSportsTalk.com

Hour two turns into a full-on college sports gut check: Qualkinbush joins to praise Clemson women's bounce-back grit at Notre Dame, explain why the men keep winning without a “star,” and then unload on the Luke Ferrelli/Ole Miss tampering saga — the silence from Oxford, the agent angle, and why this feels like a hinge point for Dabo and the sport. Swanny closes with the Duke–Darian Mensah settlement, arguing the system's chaos is finally spilling into courtrooms — and warning that if rules don't get enforced, the whole thing keeps sliding.

Swanny breaks down a wild Championship Sunday that set up Seahawks-Patriots, then digs into how analytics and fourth-down aggression may have cost Sean Payton and Denver in a snow-globe loss to New England.From there, it's hoops: Clemson responds the right way with a strong road win at Georgia Tech, and Brad Brownell's postgame comments highlight why this team keeps stacking ACC road victories.Hour two turns to the bigger storm in college sports — from “earn the logo” culture at Florida to Deion's reported player-fine structure — before Swanny unloads on the broken transfer-portal era, Clemson's “receipts” approach with Luke Ferrelli, and why the sport is begging for real consequences.

Dabo Swinney lays out the full timeline on how Ole Miss, Pete Golding, and Luke Ferrelli's agent, Ryan Williams, tampered to get the sophomore linebacker out of Tiger Town and to Oxford. 

Swanny sounds off on the Luke Ferrelli saga and why the Ole Miss situation crosses from portal chaos into outright tampering, then connects it to the growing legal mess at Duke with quarterback Darian Mensah. The common thread: commitments, contracts, and accountability in a sport that's lost its guardrails. The show also hits Clemson basketball's first ACC loss, previews the weekend slate, and features a wide-ranging conversation with Tim Bourret on Clemson history, loyalty, and why today's college sports landscape feels unsustainable.

A gas leak nearly shuts down the show before Swanny makes it back on air — then it's back to business: Indiana's miracle run still hits different, college sports' legal chaos keeps getting uglier, and Clemson hoops' OT loss to NC State comes down to the thinnest margins (and the loudest free throws).

Indiana finally finished the story — 16-0 and a national title — and Swanny's taking a victory lap after nailing the call, breaking down the blocked punt, Mendoza's gutsy 4th-down run, and the late Carson Beck mistake that sealed it. Plus, the “contracts mean something” era arrives as Duke sues its own QB over NIL/portal chaos, and Clemson hoops gets the spotlight with NC State and Will Wade rolling into Littlejohn.

As college football spirals into portal chaos and calendar madness, Swanny asks the uncomfortable question — with Clemson basketball rolling and built the right way, would it really be so bad if Tiger Town became a hoops school for a while?

Swanny opens with a hard look at a college sports world that's losing its grip — portal chaos, fading loyalty, and the growing feeling that the rules don't matter — before diving into Clemson's roster moves, the quarterback debate, and what still has to make sense for fans to stay invested.

Clemson hoops keeps rolling as Tim Bourret joins to break down the Tigers' balance, Alumni Day, and the surge toward March—plus the looming LSU opener as Kiffin's portal-built QB room collides with Clemson's stay-the-course approach, and a wild question: why don't we ever hear “academically ineligible” anymore?

Clemson's basketball “chemistry over a single star” theme got its loudest proof yet as Nick Davidson erupted for 25 points (including a 21-point personal run) to power a 5-0 ACC start—before Swanny spun it forward into portal chaos, LSU's QB arms race, and a wild Mike Tomlin stat that doesn't feel real.

Clemson hoops' depth and chemistry take center stage, with portal wins, NIL madness, NFL playoff reactions, and a look at how roster continuity is reshaping sports fandom.

Jaguars heartbreak, Indiana's CFP dominance, and Clemson's most aggressive portal run ever — Swanny breaks it all down on Clemson Sports Talk.

Miami advances to the national title game, the ACC stacks postseason wins, and the narrative surrounding SEC superiority takes a direct hit.

Clemson leans into the transfer portal, the NIL era exposes its cracks, and the sport wrestles with accountability, contracts, and control.

Clemson's portal haul hits six commits on defense, Chad Morris is “back to the future,” and the show dives into why motion, tempo, and pre-snap communication could be the key to Clemson's offensive reset.

Swanny opens with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' AFC South run — plus the growing legend of kicker Cam Little — and a quick spin through the NFL playoff bracket. From there, it's back to Tigertown with Clemson hiring Chad Morris as offensive coordinator and wideout T.J. Moore announcing his return.Swanny also hits “Portal Watch” updates, dives into the loyalty vs. free-agency debate in college football, and wraps with thoughts on the sport's calendar issues and a wild FCS championship finish.

Dabo Swinney brings Chad Morris back to take over and run Clemson's offense. 

Garrett Riley is fired after three seasons as offensive coordinator at Clemson.

Notre Dame certainly felt like they should have been in the playoff, but if that's what you wanted you should have taken care of business against Texas A&M or Miami.

As we close in on the holidays Swanny breaks down Clemson's win over South Carolina in hoops.

The first round CFB Playoff games for 2025 are getting underway!

Clemson basketball loses one of the brightest stars as freshman Zac Foster is out for the season.

Clemson and South Carolina face off in basketball to cap the matchups between the two schools in 2025.

Trevor Lawrence had his best performance as a pro, putting together one of the best days a QB has ever had in the NFL.

Four players are headed to NYC for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, but who will bring home the hardware? 

Michigan football fires Sherrone Moore with cause, and hours later, he is arrested as a suspect in an alleged assault.

Clemson falls to No. 10 BYU after taking a commanding 22-point lead anchored by a 22-0 run in Madison Square Garden during the Jimmy V Classic.

Clemson DT Peter Woods will head to the NFL.

After being left out of the playoffs, a 10-2 Notre Dame team hangs up its cleats for the 2025 season.

Clemson basketball loses one of the greatest to ever wear orange and white as Elden Campbell passes away at 57.

Clemson's social media team drops an elbow off the top rope on South Carolina.

Clemson tops South Carolina, restoring order in the Palmetto State. 

Swanny is joined by several guests, including Tim Bourret, Will Vandervort, Tommy Bowden, and Chad Morris ahead of Clemson's matchup with South Carolina.

As Clemson and South Carolina enter this year's contest at 6-5 and 4-7, respectively, what will the environment be in Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday?

Clemson and South Carolina face off on Saturday after both teams have fallen way short of preseason expectations.

Clemson gets ready for a matchup with Furman in a season that has made fans enjoy wins more than they perhaps have over the past decade. 

Clemson and Furman will face off Saturday, and it's a perfect day for a Purple Out in Death Valley.

Lawton Swann is joined by former Clemson OC Chad Morris on a Wednesday afternoon to talk about Clemson's win at Louisville.

We discuss South Carolina's meltdown in College Station, leaving the Gamecocks outside of bowl eligibility for the second time in three years.

Clemson sneaks out of Louisville with a 20-19 win, while South Carolina has an epic collapse in College Station, losing 31-30 after leading 30-3 at the half over No. 3 Texas A&M.