Swinney Says Former Clemson Walk-Ons May Lose Scholarships

Former Clemson walk-on football players are in jeopardy of losing their scholarships as the program has surpassed its 85-scholarship limit.

Clemson currently has 88 scholarship players mainly due to an influx of seniors returning for their final year. However, the program must meet its max of 85 by August.

“We didn’t anticipate seven seniors coming back,” said Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney on Tuesday, per TigerNet. “We do a good job in managing our roster but that put us over. … They all know. We tell them upfront. We can’t guarantee you this next year but hopefully, we will be able to keep you on. … It is what it is. That is the life of a walk-on.”

Swinney mentioned three players—long snapper Holden Caspersen, quarterback Hunter Helms and running back Domonique Thomas—that the program awarded scholarships to ahead of last season.

“Those are three guys that came here as walk-ons, and all of those guys we felt earned scholarships,” Swinney said. “But in a situation like this, that is where you would have to start. Who knows, though, what will happen? We have until August. Somebody may leave, I don’t know. We’ve got a plan and we will be at 85 when we get to September.”

Swinney said to TigerNet that he began conducting exit interviews over a week ago but still had “120 or so” remaining and “40 more” to do in the upcoming week. He noted that no player has indicated they are leaving.