Clemson’s season-ending College Football Playoff (CFP) loss was deemed “insufficient” by many observers, and the program’s future trajectory has become a topic of intense scrutiny. This evaluation of Clemson’s performance and its implications for the future of the Tigers football program reflects deeper questions about the state of the team and its position within the ever-evolving college football landscape.
Clemson’s Decline: Understanding the “Insufficient” Label
The term “insufficient” has been used to describe Clemson’s recent performance as they fell short of expectations in a year where they had hoped to secure a playoff berth or a national title. The Tigers, under head coach Dabo Swinney, have long been a powerhouse in college football, consistently competing at the highest level. From 2015 to 2020, Clemson was a perennial College Football Playoff contender and won two national championships. Swinney’s program was known for its ability to recruit top-tier talent, develop players, and execute at a high level when it mattered most.
However, after a period of dominance, the 2023 season marked a turning point. The Tigers finished with a respectable record but suffered a series of defeats that prevented them from reaching the playoff. The loss in the CFP semifinals – a game that saw Clemson ousted before they could even make a push for another title – has brought their program under the microscope. Many fans, analysts, and pundits are calling the season “insufficient,” meaning that the program’s output is no longer meeting the standards they had set for themselves, or at least the standards set by their recent history.
The Clemson football program had been built on consistency, both in terms of results on the field and in recruiting. But with the landscape of college football shifting—whether through the increasing power of other programs, the rise of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era, or the departure of key players due to transfer portal moves—Clemson’s recent struggles suggest that the program might be facing an existential crisis.
The Changing College Football Landscape
To understand what’s next for Clemson, it is essential to examine the broader changes occurring in college football. In recent years, several trends have reshaped the dynamics of the sport.
- Recruiting Arms Race: The recruitment of top-tier athletes has become more competitive than ever. The University of Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and even programs like Michigan have been consistently luring in elite prospects. The increasing financial power of these programs has made it more difficult for Clemson to maintain its recruitment edge, especially with a limited ability to keep up with NIL deals.
While Clemson has historically recruited well, the new wave of NIL deals has changed the playing field. Programs like Texas A&M, Miami, and others have been able to use financial incentives to sway top-tier recruits, often making it harder for Clemson to land the best talent in the country. This affects Clemson’s ability to reload year after year with high-caliber recruits, as their competitors have deepened their pockets and are using it to their advantage.
- Transfer Portal and Roster Fluidity: Another critical factor reshaping the landscape is the increasing reliance on the transfer portal. College football players are now more mobile than ever before, and while this allows programs to quickly plug holes, it also presents challenges. Clemson has been traditionally known for developing talent and building teams over multiple seasons, but the rise of the transfer portal means programs can plug gaps in the short term without the same focus on long-term player development.
This change poses a challenge for Clemson’s recruiting model. While many schools use the portal to bring in immediate impact players, Clemson’s strategy has often been to develop players within the system, which sometimes requires a longer timeline. This contrast with other teams that are more willing to go after instant gratification could be contributing to Clemson’s stagnation.
- Expansion of the Playoff and Competition: The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, starting in 2024, also signals a new era in college football. While this offers more opportunities for teams to make the playoff, it also raises the bar for teams aiming to secure a spot. Clemson, which was used to a spot in the top four, will now be competing with even more elite programs. This expanded field could make it harder for the Tigers to earn a playoff berth unless they return to their previous form.
- Changing Coaching Dynamics: The changing landscape has also affected coaching dynamics. Long-standing coaches like Swinney are facing new pressures. Swinney has been at Clemson for over a decade and has built the program into a national contender. However, with the increasing demands of recruiting, navigating the transfer portal, and adjusting to NIL, his job is becoming more complicated. The “insufficient” label on the 2023 season might trigger questions about his ability to adapt to these new challenges, especially considering that many of his competitors have begun to modernize their approaches more rapidly.
What Needs to Happen Next?
For Clemson to rebound from its recent decline and rise back to national prominence, the program will need to make several adjustments in both its on-field strategy and off-field approach.
1. Embrace the New Recruiting Model
Clemson will need to adapt to the new recruiting reality. The emergence of NIL deals has changed how recruiting works, and if the Tigers are going to remain competitive, they must lean into this new model. While Swinney has historically been hesitant about the role of NIL in college sports, the reality is that other programs are embracing these changes. Clemson may need to reevaluate its stance on NIL and ensure that their athletes have access to competitive deals that keep them in line with other top programs.
Moreover, Clemson needs to recruit talent not only for the immediate season but with an eye toward long-term success. They need to enhance their scouting efforts to ensure that their players are developing into NFL-caliber athletes while also maintaining depth across all positions.
2. Adapt to the Transfer Portal
Clemson will need to embrace the transfer portal more actively. While traditionally, the Tigers have been known for developing their own talent, the transfer portal now provides an opportunity to fill immediate needs. This might mean looking at players who can immediately step in and contribute, rather than waiting for development. Targeting experienced players who can complement the talent already in the program might be the key to staying competitive.
That said, Swinney must avoid relying too heavily on the transfer portal, as this could create short-term fixes without long-term stability. The key will be finding a balance, using the portal when necessary, but continuing to develop talent in-house.
3. Improve Offensive and Defensive Schemes
One of the areas where Clemson’s program has been found wanting is in its offensive and defensive schemes. While the defense has often been elite under defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the offensive side of the ball has been inconsistent in recent years. The Tigers’ offense has lacked the explosiveness that it once had, and despite having talented quarterbacks, it hasn’t always been able to execute efficiently on the field.
Clemson will need to evaluate their offensive strategies, possibly bringing in a new offensive coordinator or improving player development at the quarterback position. Quarterback play has been a particular area of concern, with highly-rated recruits like DJ Uiagalelei not living up to expectations. Finding the right signal-caller and creating an offense that can compete with the best in the nation will be critical to Clemson’s future.
4. Develop a Modern Coaching Approach
Finally, Swinney will need to adjust his approach to coaching in today’s college football landscape. This means modernizing the program’s strategies when it comes to player recruitment, development, and game planning. Although Swinney has been a successful coach, the challenge of staying competitive in a rapidly evolving sport requires continuous innovation. Whether it’s changing his recruiting methods, embracing technology for better player evaluation, or rethinking his offensive and defensive philosophies, Clemson’s success moving forward will require Swinney to adjust his approach to stay relevant in the modern college football era.
