Baby Gronk Flips Commitment to Dabo Swinney, Clemson from Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Jun 10, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 18: Clemson helmets
during a college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers on November 18, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Another day means another commitment for viral sensation Baby Gronk.
Madden San Miguel, who is most commonly known as Baby Gronk, has flipped his "commitment" from Ole Miss to Clemson, adding to the long list of schools he's given his pledge to over the last month or so.
Now having committed to Clemson, Baby Gronk has now said that he would play for the Tigers, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Minnesota, Pitt, South Carolina, Texas, USC, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee within the last 10 days. He's given promises to even more schools over the course of the last month.
On Sunday, Baby Gronk flipped from Texas A&M to Ole Miss, and he's already changed schools once again.
It's worth noting that On3's recruiting database says that he has yet to receive any offers, so his commitments should be taken with a grain of salt. At just 11 years old, he's also too young to give any sort of commitment to a school.
But that hasn't stopped Baby Gronk, or those who are running his account, from continually posting his commitments on social media. The attempt to make headlines with his pledges seems like it won't stop anytime soon, so the chances that he stays "committed" to Clemson for more than a few hours are slim.
Dabo Swinney Says 'Most' CFB Transfer Portal Players 'Aren't Good Enough' for Clemson
May 17, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 18: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney during a college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers on November 18, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney continued to defend the program's lack of investment in the transfer portal, arguing there's a clear talent gap.
Swinney said Thursday on SiriusXM ACC Radio that "most of the guys in the portal aren't good enough to play for us."
"Most of the guys in the portal aren't good enough to play for us." @ClemsonFB HC Dabo Swinney explains to @RoddyJones20 the three types of players in the transfer portal and why none of them landed in Death Valley. #ALLIN
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) May 16, 2024
The comment is one of those things that's factually true but obfuscates the issue.
If you were to stack up every single college football player who enters the portal in a given offseason, the majority of them probably aren't good enough to play a meaningful role for Clemson. But recent history has shown that teams with championship aspirations can make immediate improvements with veteran transfers.
LaDarius Henderson and Drake Nugent were both first-team All-Big Ten offensive linemen in 2023, and they joined Michigan out of the portal. Keon Coleman, a Michigan State transfer, was the leading receiver on a Florida State team that went unbeaten in the regular season. Washington doesn't make the College Football Playoff without quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who joined the Huskies after spending four years at Indiana.
The transfer portal isn't a complete substitute for the traditional ways of building a roster. You still need to recruit well at the high school level, and the portal era has placed an even higher value on experience and continuity within the same squad.
In addition, there might be years in which a program looking to make the playoff doesn't need to make any marquee transfers because the talent is already there.
But Swinney's comments reflect a wider philosophy. No school at Clemson's level has been slower to embrace the transfer portal or what NIL can mean for player recruitment and retention.
Dabo Swinney asked on ACC PM about Clemson being the only non-service academy to take zero transfers for 2024. Says it wasn’t intentional, they looked at a few guys. Also: “Every player is technically a transfer. We just signed a whole class of guys transferring from high school” pic.twitter.com/DeDbSDUBcC
The impact of Swinney's approach is self-evident by how the Tigers have finished of late. They last qualified for the playoff in 2020, and their 9-4 record last year was their worst since 2010.
To some degree, Clemson fans have been spoiled by the success Swinney has helped to deliver. Remember when "Clemsoning" was shorthand for when a highly regarded team unexpectedly unraveled in the course of a game or season?
However, the fanbase has a reason to be frustrated when Swinney possesses such a straightforward way to land some necessary reinforcements and seemingly refuses on principle.
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 29: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney walks the sidelines during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl between the Clemson Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, December 29, 2023 at EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney isn't sweating the fact that his program didn't land a single player in the transfer portal this offseason.
During an appearance on ACC PM, Swinney explained the lack of transfers, saying: "It wasn't really necessarily like an intentional thing. There was a couple guys we looked at, but they gotta love you too."
Dabo Swinney asked on ACC PM about Clemson being the only non-service academy to take zero transfers for 2024. Says it wasn’t intentional, they looked at a few guys. Also: “Every player is technically a transfer. We just signed a whole class of guys transferring from high school” pic.twitter.com/DeDbSDUBcC
Swinney then shifted the focus toward Clemson's incoming recruiting class, saying: "Honestly, every player is technically a transfer. We just signed a whole class of guys transferring from high school."
The transfer portal has become a major asset for coaches to improve their team, especially since the advent of the current name, image and likeness (NIL) rules, but Clemson has taken a more traditional approach.
In fact, Army, Navy and Air Force are the only other FBS teams that didn't land a transfer this offseason, meaning Clemson is the only non-service academy school to not partake in the transfer portal.
Swinney further explained Clemson's lack of transfer activity by noting, "We like our guys, we like our starters." He also referenced the fact that 125 of the 127 players on Clemson's spring roster are still with the team.
Additionally, Swinney touted the fact that many of his players stay in school longer than typical Power 5 programs, declaring that Clemson had the highest graduation success rate in college football and the highest of any Power 5 school in the past 20 years.
While Swinney didn't get into his stance on the transfer portal and NIL during his ACC PM appearance, he has made it clear in the past that he prefers a more old-fashioned approach.
Speaking to ESPN's Chris Low in 2022, Swinney said using the transfer portal "means we've missed on kids and we're no longer signing the best of the best out there."
Swinney also blasted the NIL system at the time, calling it "out of control," "not sustainable" and "an absolute mess and a train wreck," due to a lack of rigid rules.
Despite that, Clemson secured a strong recruiting class for 2024, ranking 11th in the nation, per 247Sports.
From 2015 to 2020, the Tigers never lost more than two games in a single season, and they lost one or less four times during that stretch.
Clemson also reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on four occasions, winning it twice.
While Clemson has remained a strong team since 2020, it has fallen out of national title contention.
The Tigers went 10-3 in 2021 and then won the ACC title in 2022 en route to finishing 11-3. Last season, Clemson dropped to 9-4, marking its first season with fewer than 10 wins since 2010, which was Swinney's second season as head coach.
Swinney may have to adjust his stance and be more active in the transfer portal to contend, but for now, he is sticking with his philosophy.
Video: Clemson's Dabo Swinney FaceTimed Joseph Girard III After Upset Win vs. Arizona
Mar 29, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Joseph Girard III #11 of the Clemson Tigers shoots during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Crypto.com Arena on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Clemson's Joseph Girard III got a special call after the No. 6 Tigers' upset win over No. 2 Arizona on Thursday.
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney FaceTimed the senior guard after he had four points and six assists, including a pass that helped the Tigers seal the win.
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney called Joe Girard III on FaceTime after the game.
Girard tells Swinney he was “trying to get his quarterback on” with that pass to Dillon Hunter that helped ice it.
When talking to Swinney, Girard, who played quarterback in high school, told him he was "trying to get his quarterback on" with the clutch assist. If Girard keeps dropping dimes, perhaps Swinney will want him on the football field this fall.
Girard found his sport in basketball, but he was a solid football player as well. He led Glens Falls High School to a state title in 2016 and was the New York State Player of the Year twice, according to his Hudl.
Girard joined Clemson after spending his first four seasons with Syracuse. Since joining the Tigers, he's averaged 15.4 points per game and has been a big part of Clemson's tournament run.
With Thursday's win, Clemson advanced to its second Elite Eight in program history and its first Elite Eight since the 1979-80 season when Larry Nance was on the roster.
The Tigers will face No. 4 Alabama in the Elite Eight. Clemson beat Alabama in late November, and it will be looking for another win to continue its dance into the Final Four.
Will Shipley NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Clemson RB
Mar 22, 2024
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 9: Will Shipley #1 of Clemson Tigers practices catches before taking on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 206
HAND: 9⅝"
ARM: 30¼"
WINGSPAN: 74⅛"
40-YARD DASH: N/A
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES
— Good initial burst. Tears through the line of scrimmage; erases angles early in the play.
— Effective one-cut ability in space. Above-average ability to stop, cut and accelerate again.
— Decisive runner. Not particularly creative, but plunges forward with good burst when the right lane presents itself.
— Useful outlet in the passing game. Flashed ability to be used down the field as well.
NEGATIVES
— Average frame that lacks strength. Struggles to run through contact or keep his balance when approached head on.
— Poor breakaway speed. Regularly caught from behind after the first 10 yards.
— Limited hip mobility. Can struggle to sink his hips and change directions.
— Needs to get more reps in pass protection as well as add more strength to anchor.
— Suffered a knee injury in Clemson's 2023 bowl game; did not require surgery
OVERALL
Will Shipley is a running back prospect who checks many boxes but lacks a standout trait.
At 5'11" and 206 pounds, Shipley sports a modest build. He isn't small, but he doesn't have the frame of a true workhorse runner. Though Shipley tries to run hard and maximize what he has, he lacks the muscle to run through most defenders. He can shake off some tackle attempts that come in from the side, but isn't going to attack anybody head on and win.
Shipley mostly wins as a runner with his decisiveness and burst. Shipley isn't one to bounce many runs. He waits for the right gap to open up as designed and pounces on it with immediate burst. Shipley generates a ton of explosiveness in his first few steps and can cover a lot of ground quickly, lending himself to efficient gains.
Shipley also has a little wiggle in the open field. He isn't a loose, flexible runner, but he does have one-cut ability on a lateral plane. Shipley can make one move and make someone miss before accelerating again in a hurry.
However, Shipley quickly tops out when he gets to striding. He's sorely lacking long speed. Shipley gets caught from behind more often than not. He can find 10-yard gains, but not 40 yard gains.
On passing downs, Shipley is a mixed bag. He handles himself well as a receiver, showing adequate route-running ability and soft hands. He's best as a simple checkdown and underneath option, though he flashed some ability to win down the field on wheel and seam routes. However, Shipley needs more experience and strength in pass protection.
Shipley will be a quality option for any team to have in its backfield. He's a decisive runner with enough burst and pass-catching utility to eat snaps here and there. With that said, Shipley's modest frame and lack of standout trait likely restrict him from being a true starting back in the NFL.
ACC Files Countersuit Against Clemson Over Grant of Rights, Withdrawal Fee
Mar 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: A view of ACC logos after the Championship Game of the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
After Clemson filed a lawsuit against the ACC calling into question the conference's grant of rights and exit fees, the ACC is fighting back.
Per Chris Vannini of The Athletic, the ACC has filed a countersuit against Clemson in a North Carolina court:
NEW: The ACC has now filed a legal challenge against Clemson in North Carolina court.
It argues that Clemson cannot get out of the ACC grant of rights or the league exit fee. (The ACC is doing the same with FSU)
In its lawsuit filed in the court of common pleas in Pickens County, South Carolina, on Tuesday, Clemson called the ACC's withdrawal penalties "unconscionable" and "unenforceable," per ESPN's Pete Thamel. The conference also believes its grant of rights would allow it to continue to own Clemson's media rights even after it leaves, which the university called a "nonsensical reading," "wrong" and "inconsistent with the plain language of that agreement."
However, the ACC is arguing that Clemson took part in and voted for the increase in the exit fee, which Thamel noted was cast as $572 million in Florida State's lawsuit against the conference. The ACC is also countersuing Florida State over the same issues.
The ACC also contended that Clemson originally sought to work with the conference and avoid going to court in the wake of Florida State's lawsuit.
"(While) it indicated to the ACC a desire to engage in productive conversations, it was actually finalizing and preparing its lawsuit seeking to file first in South Carolina," the lawsuit read.
This legal battle is just another example of the ever-shifting landscape of college sports. It appears that the ACC will be next to fall victim to the era of conference realignment.
Clemson Sues ACC over Grant of Rights, Withdrawal Fee Following FSU's Lawsuit
Mar 19, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 18: Clemson helmets during a college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers on November 18, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson has become the second ACC program, after Florida State, to file a lawsuit against the conference.
Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina, according to court records.
According to the court filing, the school is suing the ACC over its grant of rights and the enforceability of withdrawal fees, though Clemson said in a statement that it has not told the conference it is seeking an exit:
"Clemson has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC and remains a member of the conference."
The conference responded to the lawsuit by saying, in part: "The ACC remains confident that its agreements with all its members will be affirmed by the courts."
Florida State's board of trustees unanimously voted to sue the ACC over its grant of rights and the $130 million withdrawal fee in December.
The move by Florida State came after the football team was left out of the College Football Playoff despite a 13-0 record in the regular season and a 16-6 win over Louisville in the ACC Championship Game.
Florida State is seeking a declaratory judgement against the conference to void the grant of rights and withdrawal fee with its eventual goal believed to be leaving the ACC.
In a countersuit filed in North Carolina by the ACC against the Florida State board of trustees, the conference claims the school can't challenge the grant of rights it had signed and the issues should be decided in the state where the conference is located.
The Seminoles filed an amended complaint on Jan. 29, alleging the conference engaged in "self-dealing" under former commissioner John Swofford stemming from media rights deals he made to help his son and cost member schools "millions of dollars" in the process.
Clemson's main argument in its lawsuit is the ACC is preventing the university from pursuing a "wide range of strategic alternatives that may be necessary for its continued success in collegiate athletics and as an institution."
The school also highlighted the vast difference between the ACC's withdrawal fee compared to those of other Power Five conferences.
Clemson says the the ACC withdrawal penalty is "unconscionable, unenforceable, and in violation of public policy, especially when sought to be imposed on a public university like Clemson." pic.twitter.com/cKr59neNsM
Per Stewart Mandel of The Athletic, Clemson's lawsuit is slightly different than Florida State's because it argues the grant of rights only applies while a school is a member of the ACC and shouldn't carry over if it leaves the conference.
The ACC submitted a filing on Feb. 16 asking a Florida court to either pause Florida State's lawsuit or dismiss the case altogether. There is a court appearance scheduled for March 22 at Mecklenburg County Superior Court in North Carolina.
Per The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach, it's been an open secret that Clemson has been looking into the ACC's grant of rights "for years" before filing the lawsuit.
Clemson is one of the original members of the ACC, having been a part of the conference since 1953.
Clemson's DeMonte Capehart Has Gun Charge Expunged Following Arrest; DT Rejoins Team
Feb 26, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - APRIL 15: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart (19) during the Clemson Tigers Orange and White annual inner squad college football game played on April 15, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart was reinstated to the Clemson football team after multiple charges were expunged from his record, per the Associated Press.
Capehart was arrested on Feb. 6 and charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm on campus and failure to exercise due care while operating a motor vehicle. The AP cited state court records that revealed the charges were dropped through a "pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders charged with nonviolent crimes."
Records indicated the defensive tackle previously posted a $10,000 bond for the weapons charge and a $232.50 bond for the traffic charge.
A Clemson spokesperson said the expunged charges and his completion of the pretrial program mean he was reinstated to the football team in time for spring workouts, which begin Wednesday.
Capehart arrived at Clemson as a 4-star prospect in the class of 2020, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
The 2023 campaign was his best one for the Tigers, as he posted 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass defended.
He returns to a Clemson team attempting to bounce back from a 9-4 season in 2023, which was its first time not reaching double-digit wins since the 2010 campaign. The Tigers open the new season with a high-profile matchup against Georgia on Aug. 31.
Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart Charged With Unlawful Possession of Firearm
Feb 15, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - APRIL 15: Clemson Tigers defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart (19) during the Clemson Tigers Orange and White annual inner squad college football game played on April 15, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clemson defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart was arrested last week and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on school property, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Online records show that Capehart was arrested on Feb. 6 for "unlawful possession of a firearm on school property" and "failure to exercise due care" while driving a motor vehicle, per Jon Blau of the Post and Courier.
Capehart posted a $10,000 bond for the firearms charge and a $232.50 bond for the traffic charge, according to the Associated Press.
"He is not presently participating in team activities while awaiting completion of all league and university processes," the Clemson athletic department said in a statement.
Capehart committed to the Tigers as a 4-star prospect in the class of 2020 after also receiving offers from Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, among others. He is planning to play a fifth season with Clemson in 2024.
Capehart appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season, posting one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, 15 tackles and five tackles for loss.
The Tigers finished the 2023 campaign with a 9-4 record, including a win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.
Nate Wiggins NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Clemson CB
Jan 1, 2024
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 18: Clemson Tigers corner back Nate Wiggins (2) celebrates an interception during a college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Clemson Tigers on November 18, 2023 at Clemson Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 173
HAND: 9"
ARM: 30½"
WINGSPAN: 74¼"
40-YARD DASH: 4.28
3-CONE:
SHUTTLE:
VERTICAL: 36"
BROAD: 10'7"
POSITIVES
— Has great length. Uses his long arms in press and when playing the ball. Has the frame to continue to add weight and fill out.
— Patient in press coverage. Shows the lateral quickness to stay with receivers off the line. Has fluid hips to flip and run. Uses hands well to disrupt routes.
— Does a very good job of sinking his hips and has the burst to run out of his transitions with quick footwork.
— Plays with vision and awareness in zone coverage. Does a very good job of playing the quarterback's eyes and has the ability to jump routes.
NEGATIVES
— Raw athlete who can get lazy at times. Tends to play with a high pad level, which can cause him to round breaks or be slower transitioning.
— Lacks physicality taking on blocks and tackling. Can seem uninterested in tackling at times.
— Big gambler who wanders at times, looking for the big play. Can get pulled away from his leverage and responsibility.
— 2022: First-team All-ACC (College Football Network)
— Started his foundation, Wiggs Worldwide Foundation, "to improve the lives of young people by supporting underprivileged communities," per his school bio. The foundation "focuses on building a better future through mentorship and support for local organizations."
OVERALL
Nate Wiggins is a long, rangy cornerback who started for Clemson over the last two seasons. The 4-star prospect was able to work his way onto the special teams unit for Clemson as a freshman before becoming a starter as a sophomore.
Wiggins is versatile enough to play in both man and zone schemes, as he has the ability to play from press and off coverage. One of the premier cornerbacks in the ACC, he was selected first-team All-ACC in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons by various outlets.
Wiggins does a very good job of using his length in coverage. When in press, he uses his hands well to control and redirect receivers off the line of scrimmage. He's able to seamlessly open and run thanks to his fluid hips, and he has the ability to quickly sink his hips and transition out of breaks. He can be a bit lazy at times with his pad level, causing him to round breaks or be slower to drive on the ball, but when done correctly, he has the footwork to burst out of breaks and drive on receivers.
When working down the field, he has the speed to run with receivers, although he is inconsistent with his positioning. He does have top-notch recovery speed to get back into phase. Wiggins often relies on face-guarding downfield and playing through the hands of receivers. When the ball is in front of him, he has the ball skills and timing to break up passes.
As a run defender, Wiggins does just enough. He isn't afraid of getting in the mix, but he's more than willing to let others make the tackle before him. He often looks to get around blocks with speed and finesse due to his lack of strength and physicality in the run game. Wiggins is willing to come up and support the run, but he's inconsistent with his tackling, often diving at ball-carriers and melting off his tackles.
Wiggins' versatility in the pass game is what ultimately drives his value up. His length and ability to run make him one of the top cornerbacks in this year's class. He has the frame to continue to add weight, and with time and maturity, he should improve his play strength. Wiggins has the ability to be a starter in the NFL, but he will need to continue to improve his technique early on in his career.
