Coming out of Warner Robins, Georgia, Vic Burley was one of the most talked-about defensive tackle recruits in the 2023 class. Standing 6’ 4, 320 pounds, Burley has always had the frame and raw tools to be an impact player, but the transition to college football has been about finding consistency and confidence.
After Clemson’s latest scrimmage, Dabo Swinney highlighted Burley’s progress, noting:
“One guy that flashed for me today was Burley. He had a couple sacks, and it was really good to see him. He’s had a good spring, and he’s had a good camp so far. So it’s been good to see him kind of flash.” — Dabo Swinney, after Saturday’s scrimmage
As Lawton Swann noted on Clemson Sports Talk, heard daily from 4–6 PM on iHeart Radio:
“When you get into the season, injuries happen — an ankle tweak here, a shoulder ding there — and all of a sudden, you need competitive depth to poke its head up. Hearing Swinney talk about Burley standing out is significant.” — Lawton Swann, Clemson Sports Talk
Clemson’s projected starters — T.J. Parker, Will Heldt, Peter Woods, and DeMonte Capehart — form one of the ACC’s best fronts. Behind them, there’s encouraging buzz about Amare Adams, Jaheim Lawson, and Stephiylan Green. Burley’s progress could give position coaches Nick Eason and Chris Rumph another trusted rotational option.
Burley’s path seems closer to the “bloom where you’re planted” trajectory Swinney often references. Not everyone arrives as a day-one star like Woods or Parker. For Burley, patience, buy-in, and persistence are paying off — exactly the traits Clemson values in building long-term depth.
Burley’s 2024 numbers were modest (7 total tackles), but the staff’s confidence, paired with his size, leverage, and motor, suggests he’s trending toward meaningful snaps.
With LSU looming in the Aug. 30 season opener, the Tigers will value every fresh, physical body they can roll out in the trenches. If Burley’s camp momentum carries over, he could be one of the under‑the‑radar names helping Clemson’s defense stay elite deep into games.
