Dabo Swinney critiques ‘sad’ state of college football before Gator Bowl
Dabo Swinney has been playing or coaching college football for nearly 30 years, and during that time he’s had too many positive bowl experiences to count.
So the longtime Clemson football coach didn’t hesitate Thursday when he was asked about the current state of the sport’s bowl season, which has largely been defined by opt-outs and transfer portal news as opposed to the games themselves.
“It’s kind of sad to see, honestly,” Swinney said in a news conference ahead of the Gator Bowl. “It’s my 29th bowl game as a player and a coach. So I’ve got a pretty good perspective on a lot of different roles, a lot of different experiences. Some of my greatest memories are being part of a bowl.”
The No. 22 Tigers are playing Kentucky on Friday at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium for a chance at a fifth straight win after a 4-4 start, the type of momentum that could carry the team through the offseason and into 2024.
But Clemson (8-4, 4-4 ACC) is far from all hands on deck. Three All-ACC defenders have opted out of the game to get a head start on NFL Draft preparation — linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., cornerback Nate Wiggins and defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro.
The Tigers also lost starting safety Andrew Mukuba (Texas) and starting wide receiver Beaux Collins (Notre Dame) to the transfer portal, among six other portal losses. That’s put a squeeze on Clemson depth-wise at a few positions, most notably cornerback, where injuries and a transfer (Toriano Pride Jr. to Missouri) have piled up.
Clemson has largely immune to those trends, which have become commonplace in college football, during a run of six straight College Football Playoff appearances from 2015-20.
But the Tigers are now facing attrition at a level not seen before under Swinney. Clemson hadn’t had a player opt out of a bowl game in his tenure until defensive end Myles Murphy did it in 2022 ahead of the Orange Bowl.
The team also hadn’t lost a starter (at the time of his entry) to the transfer portal since the NCAA adopted a one-time transfer rule and allowing for any transfer to be immediately eligible at his new school in 2021.
Now, on the heels of missing the four-team CFP field for a third consecutive season, Clemson’s having to adapt to both of those trends while trying to maintain momentum.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Swinney said. “That hasn’t changed regardless of who’s playing, not playing. I mean, to me, the story’s about who’s playing. And it’s an opportunity to finish your season.”
Kentucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC) is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Coach Mark Stoops’ program saw star running back Ray Davis commit to playing in the Gator Bowl despite declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. Clemson went 0-3 in that department with Trotter, Wiggins and Orhorhoro.
Clemson, however, does have a few stars committed to playing. Veteran defensive tackle Tyler Davis and defensive end Xavier Thomas will suit up Friday despite NFL aspirations, with both emphasizing the importance of finishing what they started with the program.
Draft-eligible junior running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah will play against Kentucky, too, before making decisions on their future. And Clemson’s “functional depth,” Swinney said, will allow for lots of young players to make an impact in place of opt-outs and transfers.
“One of our goals is to win the closer,” Swinney said. “And this is the closer for us. It’s a huge goal. There’s a great opportunity for this team to finish well and to play on a stage like this, to come to the Gator Bowl to play a really good team in Kentucky.”
Amid some admittedly “sad” trends in the sport, that holds true, he said.
“I know that the landscape has changed, but that part hasn’t,” Swinney said.
2023 Gator Bowl game, TV info
Who: No. 22 Clemson (8-4, 4-4 ACC) vs. Kentucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC)
When: noon Friday
Where: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
Line: Clemson by 4.5
