Could Clemson get the band back together?

18IsTheMan · Tuesday at 7:03 AM

Clemson hasn't been the same since Elliott and Venables left for HC jobs in 2022. Dabo's tried lots of things, but nothing's work.

As it turns out, both coaches are on the hot seat. Elliott could very well be fired this season. Venables is much less likely to be fired but that could change quickly if they barrel towards a 4-8 finish (still play UF, Ole Miss and Mizzou along with A&M). He is the new Norvell, being protected ONLY buy his buyout.

Even if Dabo only got Elliott back, that may be enough to get them back to top 15ish status.

Lurker123 · Tuesday at 7:55 AM

As long as Dabo still thinks he can build through recruiting, they will not be a serious threat.

18IsTheMan · Tuesday at 8:05 AM

Lurker123 said:
As long as Dabo still thinks he can build through recruiting, they will not be a serious threat.

If the Save College Sports Act goes through, though, that puts things somewhat back in Dabo's favor. The one-time free transfer will really cut down dramatically on the roster building via the portal.

In the current system, a team like Miami doesn't have to recruit a QB b/c they can just go out and target whoever they want because players can transfer every year. With the passage of the act, though, coaches will be forced to recruit b/c there will be no guarantees of who will/won't be available from year to year. Players would be much more hesitant to transfer, knowing they get one shot to do so.

I think it will be more like it was intended to be: still build primarily by recruiting and use the portal to plug holes in the roster. That's what Dabo is already doing.

This is assuming that it passes and survives the inevitable legal challenge.

Lurker123 · Tuesday at 8:14 AM

18IsTheMan said:
If the Save College Sports Act goes through, though, that puts things somewhat back in Dabo's favor. The one-time free transfer will really cut down dramatically on the roster building via the portal.

In the current system, a team like Miami doesn't have to recruit a QB b/c they can just go out and target whoever they want because players can transfer every year. With the passage of the act, though, coaches will be forced to recruit b/c there will be no guarantees of who will/won't be available from year to year. Players would be much more hesitant to transfer, knowing they get one shot to do so.

I think it will be more like it was intended to be: still build primarily by recruiting and use the portal to plug holes in the roster. That's what Dabo is already doing.

This is assuming that it passes and survives the inevitable legal challenge.

This is true. I wonder what the timeliness for this is? Dabo may be gone by the time it goes into effect.

grytlbrt · Tuesday at 8:21 AM

It also wouldn't matter if they got their gang back together because now everybody can pay players without depending on a "church" to fund the payments!

18IsTheMan · Tuesday at 8:22 AM

Lurker123 said:
This is true. I wonder what the timeliness for this is? Dabo may be gone by the time it goes into effect.

Goes to the House after midterms is all I know. Passed the Senate easily.

I think it's the only thing that can save Dabo's job. He's not changing.

It may end up being a nothingburger even if passed. It could get gutted legally. If even only the transfer limit is legally struck down, that makes the law essentially worthless. That could actually make things much, much worse than they are. The bill raises the NIL limit to $46 million. So if you keep the increased NIL limit but remove the one-time transfer limit, it's only going to exacerbate the already out-of-control roster turnover.

Lurker123 · Tuesday at 8:39 AM

18IsTheMan said:
Goes to the House after midterms is all I know. Passed the Senate easily.

I think it's the only thing that can save Dabo's job. He's not changing.

It may end up being a nothingburger even if passed. It could get gutted legally. If even only the transfer limit is legally struck down, that makes the law essentially worthless. That could actually make things much, much worse than they are. The bill raises the NIL limit to $46 million. So if you keep the increased NIL limit but remove the one-time transfer limit, it's only going to exacerbate the already out-of-control roster turnover.

Yes. I have said often that enforcing a one time transfer would clean up a LOT. It wont fix everything, but it would be a big help.

For that reason alone, it wont pass.

Piscis · Tuesday at 9:41 AM

Lurker123 said:
As long as Dabo still thinks he can build through recruiting, they will not be a serious threat.

It's working for Kirby. I saw a stat that said something like 92% of UGA's players were players who signed with UGA out of HS.

Dabo's problem is NIL. Now that every team can pay players, Clemson doesn't have any sort of leg up when it comes to recruiting.

SouthernBelly · Tuesday at 9:46 AM

Isn’t it technically a one-time transfer without penalty right now? It’s just that there are waivers for everything?

I have read a little about this protect sports act. Sounds fine in theory as many things do. But if it’s come to hoping congress will do something and that will bring improvement…we all know that ain’t happening.

18IsTheMan · Tuesday at 9:48 AM

SouthernBelly said:
Isn’t it technically a one-time transfer without penalty right now? It’s just that there are waivers for everything?

I have read a little about this protect sports act. Sounds fine in theory as many things do. But if it’s come to hoping congress will do something and that will bring improvement…we all know that ain’t happening.

Nope. Right now it's unlimited transfers. NCAA changed the rule, I believe, in 2024.

Lurker123 · Tuesday at 10:42 AM

18IsTheMan said:
Nope. Right now it's unlimited transfers. NCAA changed the rule, I believe, in 2024.

Yeah, the waivers were being doled out randomly it seemed. No rhyme or reason. So they threw them all out.

If this law passes, we might be right back to guys transferring once and then applying to transfer a second time. Maybe even suing.

Dabo's Weenie · Tuesday at 10:54 AM

Lurker123 said:
Yeah, the waivers were being doled out randomly it seemed. No rhyme or reason. So they threw them all out.

If this law passes, we might be right back to guys transferring once and then applying to transfer a second time. Maybe even suing.

When all is said and done with this bill, I think its primary effect will be to keep women from playing football with men.

KingWard · Tuesday at 10:56 AM

grytlbrt said:
It also wouldn't matter if they got their gang back together because now everybody can pay players without depending on a "church" to fund the payments!

They could regain some serious traction, though. Winning big in football is about getting ALL the right people together, as with Indiana last year. UPC is still capable of ascending if they get their minds right.

Harvard Gamecock · Tuesday at 12:35 PM

gamecock stock · Tuesday at 12:44 PM

18IsTheMan said:
Clemson hasn't been the same since Elliott and Venables left for HC jobs in 2022. Dabo's tried lots of things, but nothing's work.

As it turns out, both coaches are on the hot seat. Elliott could very well be fired this season. Venables is much less likely to be fired but that could change quickly if they barrel towards a 4-8 finish (still play UF, Ole Miss and Mizzou along with A&M). He is the new Norvell, being protected ONLY buy his buyout.

Even if Dabo only got Elliott back, that may be enough to get them back to top 15ish status.

I'd be very surprised if Elliott is in danger.

18IsTheMan · Tuesday at 12:54 PM

gamecock stock said:
I'd be very surprised if Elliott is in danger.

He's had 3 losing seasons out of 4 and could be headed for his 4th one out of 5. They just got thumped 51-7 by Wake.

SouthernBelly · Tuesday at 1:05 PM

18IsTheMan said:
He's had 3 losing seasons out of 4 and could be headed for his 4th one out of 5. They just got thumped 51-7 by Wake.

That certainly looks awful but he has 4 wins which is already his second best win total. They just had an 11 win season and the seasons prior there was at least steady progress. So I would think he’s ok.

Lurker123 · Tuesday at 1:14 PM

SouthernBelly said:
That certainly looks awful but he has 4 wins which is already his second best win total. They just had an 11 win season and the seasons prior there was at least steady progress. So I would think he’s ok.

Don't pay enough attention. Was his first few years a big rebuild?

SouthernBelly · Tuesday at 1:21 PM

Lurker123 said:
Don't pay enough attention. Was his first few years a big rebuild?

That is the impression I am under, but don’t completely recall.

gamecock stock · Tuesday at 2:33 PM

18IsTheMan said:
He's had 3 losing seasons out of 4 and could be headed for his 4th one out of 5. They just got thumped 51-7 by Wake.

I know. But looking at his record, they have improved conference record-wise every year. This will be the first year his record has not improved. So, you'd fire him? I'd be very surprised.

Dabo's Weenie · Tuesday at 2:40 PM

gamecock stock said:
I know. But looking at his record, they have improved conference record-wise every year. This will be the first year his record has not improved. So, you'd fire him? I'd be very surprised.

Sit tight - there's a maintenance staff on here who has that as the only tool in their toolbox.

DeBoer31 · 2026-11-04T11:26:32-0600

18IsTheMan said:
Clemson hasn't been the same since Elliott and Venables left for HC jobs in 2022. Dabo's tried lots of things, but nothing's work.

As it turns out, both coaches are on the hot seat. Elliott could very well be fired this season. Venables is much less likely to be fired but that could change quickly if they barrel towards a 4-8 finish (still play UF, Ole Miss and Mizzou along with A&M). He is the new Norvell, being protected ONLY buy his buyout.

Even if Dabo only got Elliott back, that may be enough to get them back to top 15ish status.

That's true...and both are good coaches....but this timeframe also coincides with Swinney's absolute refusal to play ball in the NIL/Transfer era.
IMO one of his best character traits....good for him. But it has absolutely hamstrung their program.
Whatever stuff they used to do to gain little advantages, too, were balanced out (New Spring, etc, whatever).

Piscis · 2026-11-04T13:18:28-0600

DeBoer31 said:
That's true...and both are good coaches....but this timeframe also coincides with Swinney's absolute refusal to play ball in the NIL/Transfer era.
IMO one of his best character traits....good for him. But it has absolutely hamstrung their program.
Whatever stuff they used to do to gain little advantages, too, were balanced out (New Spring, etc, whatever).

Clemson, Auburn and FSU were devastated by NIL. NIL took away those programs greatest recruiting tool, cheating.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:22:33-0600

Piscis said:
It's working for Kirby. I saw a stat that said something like 92% of UGA's players were players who signed with UGA out of HS.

Dabo's problem is NIL. Now that every team can pay players, Clemson doesn't have any sort of leg up when it comes to recruiting.

Certainly you're not suggesting that Kirby is recruiting top HS players without a financial commitment as well?

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:26:07-0600

Piscis said:
Clemson, Auburn and FSU were devastated by NIL. NIL took away those programs greatest recruiting tool, cheating.

Clemson's issue that that Dabo made a big stink about the NIL and paying players in the beginning and decided he was going to succeed without the NIL and portal. His ego put them in a hole.

FSU and Auburn have largely been mismanaged. FSU bought the world that one year but then decided to back off too much because of the flack they received for a fake team.

Piscis · 2026-11-04T13:27:40-0600

TheRoo said:
Certainly you're not suggesting that Kirby is recruiting top HS players without a financial commitment as well?

From what I've read, UGA is not paying top dollar for HS recruits. That is the reason they lose 5 star commits to Texas, Ohio State, Texas Tech, etc.. Kirby does not like to pay incoming freshmen the same or more than veteran players.

Every team is paying recruits to come, including Clemson. My point is, Kirby is not building a team with portal players, he is recruiting and developing his own team for the most part. Dabo wants to do the same thing. Dabo's problem is, he can't get the top recruits now that every team is paying players.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:30:23-0600

Piscis said:
From what I've read, UGA is not paying top dollar for HS recruits. That is the reason they lose 5 star commits to Texas, Ohio State, Texas Tech, etc.. Kirby does not like to pay incoming freshmen the same or more than veteran players.

Every team is paying recruits to come, including Clemson. My point is, Kirby is not building a team with portal players, he is recruiting and developing his own team for the most part. Dabo wants to do the same thing. Dabo's problem is, he can't get the top recruits now that every team is paying players.

I think we've had this discussion. Please check their recruiting rankings over the past four years -- #2 #2, #1, #7

Kirby decided to ease off the gas this year because they didn't have any more room for studs on the team after the prior three.

Then he decides to signal as if he's been noble throughout pointing at this year as a reference point.

Players aren't playing for UGA for millions less and you know that.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:34:03-0600

When Ohio State played UGA for the NC, the announcers made a point to say that the two teams were believed to be the biggest NIL spenders in the country that season.

Kirby didn't care for that.

Piscis · 2026-11-04T13:37:22-0600

TheRoo said:
When Ohio State played UGA for the NC, the announcers made a point to say that the two teams were believed to be the biggest NIL spenders in the country that season.

Kirby didn't care for that.

No doubt UGA spends plenty, but they aren't throwing HUGE money at HS players. From the articles I read, they are making sure the veterans are taken care of and want to stay in Athens.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:40:05-0600

Piscis said:
No doubt UGA spends plenty, but they aren't throwing HUGE money at HS players. From the articles I read, they are making sure the veterans are taken care of and want to stay in Athens.

It's possible that they have some sort of reward based system within the team but all that would mean is redistribution.

The NIL is a snafu for these indoctrinated 5-star team coaches as it openly reveals that talent drives most of the success.

How? The parity we've been witnessing from big NIL teams that weren't previously in the mix is the tell.

Another reason Saban hit the road.

Lurker123 · 2026-11-04T13:46:31-0600

Piscis said:
No doubt UGA spends plenty, but they aren't throwing HUGE money at HS players. From the articles I read, they are making sure the veterans are taken care of and want to stay in Athens.

There was an article linked on here a few weeks back that had UGA in the middle of the pack of the SEC (below us) on the NIL spending list.

But as with all NIL numbers, take it with a grain of salt.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:47:53-0600

Lurker123 said:
There was an article linked on here a few weeks back that had UGA in the middle of the pack of the SEC (below us) on the NIL spending list.

But as with all NIL numbers, take it with a grain of salt.

They eased off the gas (slightly) this year because there was no rooms left in the Four Seasons after the previous three.

Dabo's Weenie · 2026-11-04T13:49:02-0600

Lurker123 said:
There was an article linked on here a few weeks back that had UGA in the middle of the pack of the SEC (below us) on the NIL spending list.

But as with all NIL numbers, take it with a grain of salt.

This what you're looking for? NIL spending

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:50:26-0600

Spurrier called this entire thing out when he came to SC. It was his entire point of coming in the first place.

"Hey Nick, come do it at a place like South Carolina."

That was obviously pre-NIL when you could recruit organically/

Lurker123 · 2026-11-04T13:53:35-0600

Dabo's Weenie said:
This what you're looking for? NIL spending

Might be. That link wants me to register to read it though.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:54:31-0600

The needle movers are when you land a Sellers with little or no hype and he goes stud immediately. Very rare though.

TheRoo · 2026-11-04T13:56:32-0600

Lurker123 said:
Might be. That link wants me to register to read it though.

It's clickbait and speculation like all of the others. The last thing these schools want are those numbers reported in most cases. It's embarrassing to them.

Dabo's Weenie · 2026-11-04T14:08:04-0600

Lurker123 said:
Might be. That link wants me to register to read it though.

Interesting. It comes right up for me and I haven't registered. Let me see if I can snip the relevant portion.

Dabo's Weenie · 2026-11-04T14:09:22-0600

Lurker123 said:
Might be. That link wants me to register to read it though.

Dabo's Weenie · 2026-11-04T14:12:10-0600

TheRoo said:
It's clickbait and speculation like all of the others. The last thing these schools want are those numbers reported in most cases. It's embarrassing to them.

At least they take the time to explain how they arrived at their figures.

Could Clemson get the band back together?

Heisman

All-American

Heisman

All-American

Joined Aug 9, 2018

Heisman

All-American

All-Conference

Senior

Heisman

All-American

All-Conference

All-American

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

Senior

All-American

Senior

All-Conference

All-Conference

Joined Jun 19, 2015

All-Conference

Joined Nov 3, 2021

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-Conference

Joined Nov 3, 2021

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-Conference

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-American

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-Conference

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-American

Joined Nov 3, 2021

Joined Nov 3, 2021

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference