College football’s latest rules fight has reached the point where Dabo Swinney is preparing for LSU by watching NFL tape. He is not amused.
With Lane Kiffin attempting to add players who were in NFL camps only weeks ago, the Clemson coach unloaded on the state of the sport Tuesday. Swinney stopped short of blaming the athletes, but he made his opinion of the system allowing the possibility unmistakable.
Dabo Swinney Calls Eligibility Mess ‘Embarrassing’
“Honestly, it’s embarrassing that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system,” Swinney said in his Tuesday comments. “It’s embarrassing but we’ve been there for a while.”
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Swinney went further by arguing college football now lacks meaningful governance because rules can be challenged and blocked in court.
NEW: Clemson’s Dabo Swinney on preparing for LSU and potentially former NFL players:
“Honestly, it’s embarrassing that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system. It’s embarrassing but we’ve been there for a while.
“… No pun… pic.twitter.com/2JK5gYIvs8
— On3 (@On3) September 1, 2026
Wright signed with Philadelphia after going undrafted, later spent time with Cleveland, and has since joined LSU. Harris signed with New Orleans before being released. Kiffin also had interest in Jack Pyburn before the Kansas City Chiefs claimed the linebacker.
The unusual possibility has forced Clemson into an unusual preparation exercise. “TigerNet” reported that Swinney’s staff has watched film from the Saints, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and other NFL teams while trying to account for who might actually be available Saturday.
Court Fight Leaves Clemson Preparing for the Unknown
Whether LSU can use every addition remains unsettled.
The SEC adopted a policy barring players with certain professional ties from returning to conference competition, but a Louisiana judge temporarily blocked the league from enforcing penalties. A hearing is scheduled Thursday, two days before Clemson and LSU meet in Baton Rouge.
Wright will not play in the opener regardless because NCAA acclimatization requirements prevent him from becoming eligible quickly enough. Harris’ status remains tied to the wider legal fight.
Kiffin defended the strategy Monday, saying LSU’s player leadership unanimously supported bringing in capable former NFL players. The controversy has already drawn criticism from former scouts and college football figures as the line between the NFL and college game becomes increasingly difficult to define.
Swinney’s own program enters the matchup trying to rebound from a 7-6 season. Clemson finished 2025 with an 82.3 Defense Impact grade, No. 33 nationally, after entering that year ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP poll.
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For all his frustration, Swinney said Clemson’s focus has to remain on what it can control and joked that the Tigers would try to stay in their lane.
That lane now apparently includes scouting NFL preseason film before a college opener. Swinney might not blame the players for pursuing another season, but calling the situation “embarrassing” leaves little doubt about what he thinks of the system that made it possible.
