Tiger Talk: Your Weekly Recap of Clemson's Biggest News
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Tommy Bowden on Swinney Passing his father Bobby Bowden: 'I think it's only fitting'
Last Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium, Dabo Swinney surpassed Bobby Bowden for the most wins in ACC history with 174, in a fitting and symbolic moment. Sixteen years after coaching his first game as an interim head coach on the same field, Swinney reflected on his journey and the impact of Bowden’s mentorship. Tommy Bowden, Bobby's son and the coach who hired Swinney at Clemson, noted the similarities between the two coaches, especially their strong faith and values. Swinney’s humility and admiration for Bowden emphasize the deeper legacy beyond the numbers, rooted in mentorship and purpose.
Four-star Edge on Clemson: "They are definitely a top team to consider" (CST+)
Simote Katoanga, a 6'5", 240-pound edge defender from J Serra Catholic High School in California, is among the most sought-after recruits in the 2026 class. Ranked #262 nationally in the On3 Industry consensus and as high as #104 by 247Sports, Katoanga has been recruited heavily by several major programs, including USC, Oregon, and Notre Dame. Clemson jumped into his recruitment by offering him in late September, following a conversation with Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Defensive Ends Coach Chris Rumph.
Swinney on Clemson Jumbo Package: 'That is intellectual property.'
During Wednesday's media session, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney touched on several topics. Regarding the NCAA's decision to eliminate National Letters of Intent, Swinney mentioned that a new scholarship agreement would likely replace them but expressed optimism about revenue sharing advancements. He praised Khalil Barnes' development from a wide receiver prospect, noting the importance of player growth over time. On wide receiver Troy Stellato, Swinney highlighted his contributions both with and without the ball, emphasizing competition among the team's deep receiving corps.
Swinney on the Wake Forest offense: 'Their scheme is unique'
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney expressed excitement for the opportunity to improve against a well-coached Wake Forest team, led by Dave Clawson. He praised their disciplined, fundamentally sound play and challenging offensive scheme, which emphasizes option principles and deep shots. Swinney noted the difficulty of past games against Wake, referencing a close contest two years ago. He also highlighted Wake’s quarterback Hank Bachmeier, a poised and tough veteran, and their consistently strong receiver group. Swinney emphasized that success comes from execution, not expectations, stressing the importance of focusing on performance rather than outside opinions.
