Predicting Clemson's Starting Offense, Defense After Spring Scrimmage

Head coach Dabo Swinney said that Vizzina will lead the group entering the spring, and it’s his spot to lose. Don’t expect a true freshman to lead the group into Tiger Stadium either. 

Running Back: Gideon Davidson

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris said that two main tailbacks will be featured, but Davidson looked the best in the spring game. Expect SMU transfer Chris Johnson Jr. to be a significant piece early as well. 

Wide Receivers: Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, Tyler Brown

The first two choices are locks, but Brown was one of the sole upperclassmen to be healthy this spring. Morris had some high praise for him as well last week. Freshmen Naeem Burroughs or Gordon Sellars III could also be here, but I’m going to go with experience over talent in Week 1. 

Tight End: Christian Bentancur

Prepare to see some two-tight end sets as well, with Olsen Patt-Henry playing a vital role in this offense in 2026. Bentancur has more upside as a receiving tight end, making him the starter in this case. 

Left Tackle: Brayden Jacobs

Left Guard: Collin Sadler

Center: Harris Sewell

Right Guard: Elyjah Thurmon

Right Tackle: Easton Ware

Everybody but Sadler was in the starting lineup for Team Orange in the spring game, with Ronan O’Connell filling in for him on Saturday. With most of these players having most of the returning snaps on the line, except for maybe Ware, expect Swinney to go with experience on the line in the first game. 

Keep an eye out for the standout freshman class, though, with names like Carter Scruggs, Leo Delaney and Grant Wise having a strong spring too. 

Defense

Edge Rusher: Will Heldt

Heldt led the team in sacks and tackles for loss last season in his first season as a Tiger. Expect him to build on his strong junior season while being a leader on this defense. 

Defensive Tackle: Markus Strong

Strong stuffed the run game on Team White inside Memorial Stadium on Saturday. He should plug in at this spot for defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who picked the Oklahoma transfer up in the offseason. Keep in mind sophomore Amare Adams, who could also be in either of these spots as well, and was injured for the game. 

Defensive Tackle: Vic Burley

Burley was the big winner from the spring game, leading the defense with 2.5 sacks, a pass breakup and three total tackles. He had chemistry with Strong throughout the scrimmage, and pairing the two up again wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop the run. 

Edge Rusher: Jahiem Lawson

The Clemson defense end room has plenty of talent, but Lawson would get the nod here. Colorado transfer London Merritt had a standout spring game, and names like Darien Mayo and Ari Watford have shone throughout the period. Long story short, expect lots of substitutions to get to the quarterback next season. 

Linebacker: Sammy Brown

This is a lock. Brown will be the anchor on this defense in 2026. 

Linebacker: Kobe McCloud

Allen has spoken highly of McCloud throughout the spring, saying that he is “the guy that’s the top WILL at this point.” Keep an eye out for second-year transfer Jeremiah Alexander, but the McCloud pick is a safe one, especially if he builds on the spring he had.  

Cornerback: Elliot Washington II

The talk of the spring. Washington has stood out as arguably Clemson’s top defensive player, consistently making a play in practice. He almost picked off Reynolds in the spring game before just missing the play and allowing a reception. He knows Allen’s defense from Penn State, and that will put him as the choice here. 

Cornerback: Ashton Hampton

With Avieon Terrell headed to the NFL Draft, Hampton could be Clemson’s top athlete in the secondary. The rising junior will look to have a big year holding down some of the top talents in the sport in the Tigers’ difficult schedule. 

Nickel (Tiger): Corian Gipson

Gipson found some success in this role down the stretch of 2025, including a big performance against Florida State with two pass breakups. Auburn transfer Donovan Starr or former receiver-turned nickel Misun Kelley could also be options here, but Gipson brings the most experience. 

Safety: Corey Myrick

Safety: Jerome Carter III

Clemson went out and got two of its top safety choices through the transfer portal, with Allen looking to reshape the secondary after a 2025 season filled with busted coverages. Myrick and Carter will look to take advantage of the opportunity to move to a Power Four school, and they both have the credentials to be great. 

Special Teams

Kicker: Nolan Hauser

Hauser’s had a slow spring, but Swinney thinks he will bounce back and is not worried about it. Keep an eye out for Robert Gunn III, who the Tigers’ head coach said “had a great spring.” He’s typically the kickoff specialist, due to his leg strength, but some improved accuracy could see some competition going into the end of August. 

Punter: Jack Smith