Dabo Swinney Reacts to New Roster Cut Rule Impacting Clemson
coach Dabo Swinney clarified that the Tigers won’t have to trim their roster to 105 players—the standard 85 scholarship players plus 20 walk-ons—until the week of their season opener against LSU. Previously, it was believed that the roster limit would need to be met by July 1.
“So that’s a plus,” Swinney said, acknowledging the benefit of keeping a larger group together through both spring practice and fall camp.
This change comes as part of the House settlement, which has altered roster management rules across college football. While the delayed cutdown provides some advantages for Clemson, Swinney expressed his dislike for the situation as a whole.
“I hate it for the players involved,” Swinney admitted, recognizing the difficult reality for those who won’t make the final roster. However, he noted that having “as many bodies as possible” for the duration of the offseason will help with depth, development, and competition before making final decisions.
Clemson opens its season against LSU on Aug. 31 in Atlanta
