3 Things We Still Don't Know After Clemson Spring Camp

While some of our solutions were answered, there are still things we don't fully know after Clemson's spring period.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney waves to fans and greets them at Tiger Walk before the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Clemson football finished up its spring camp this Monday, hosting its annual spring game last weekend inside Memorial Stadium.

Viewers were able to see the new-look 2026 Tigers for the first time, answering some questions about who the early frontrunners to be the next starters are. However, during the 90-minute scrimmage, not all questions are answered, and we will have to wait until the summer to hear anything else. 

These are the three questions that we still don’t know after the Tigers’ spring period. 

Question 1: How Will The Offensive Line Come Together?

Clemson offensive line coach Matt Luke has a big job to do this summer in picking out his starters on the offensive line. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Clemson lost starters Tristan Leigh, Ryan Linthicum, Walker Parks and Blake Miller after last season, meaning that head coach Dabo Swinney will get a completely new offensive line, including at center. 

Brayden Jacobs, Elyjah Thurmon, Harris Sewell, Ronan O’Connell and Easton Ware were the starting five for the spring game, but injuries, like Collin Sadler, prevented the full starting look. If any of the standout freshmen can break through this summer as well, that could see another shuffle to the line before the beginning of the season. 

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris wants a fast offense that can put great emphasis on running the ball. That requires a strong offensive line, and he needs his best five for that to happen. We simply don’t know that yet, but that comes with the position each season. It’s a critical question, though. 

Question 2: Who Is Going to Break Through As Clemson’s Starting Pass Rushers?

Clemson defensive tackles Coordinator Nick Eason before the game Saturday, November 29, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tigers lost three NFL Draft-caliber pieces on their defensive line last season: Peter Woods, T.J. Parker and DeMonte Capehart. Now, the group has big shoes to fill, and there are plenty of candidates for defensive coordinator Tom Allen. 

Off the edge, Will Heldt is the only returning starter. However, the other edge rusher spot can feature the likes of Jahiem Lawson, Ari Watford or Darien Mayo, who have all been spoken highly of during this spring. Keep an eye out for transfers London Merritt and C.J. Wesley, too, who weren’t brought in just to sit on the bench. 

 Defensive tackle has some questions as well. Vic Burley had a strong spring game with 2.5 sacks, and Oklahoma transfer Markus Strong is an early starting candidate as well. Former five-star Amare Adams didn’t play in the spring game, but he will compete for a starting spot as well. 

There’s a lot that we still don’t know when it comes to those four positions, but there’s plenty of quality within both groups. It’s just a matter of “who”.

Question 3: What Will The Tight End Situation End Up Looking Like?

Clemson tight end Christian Bentancur (87) will be one of the two top candidates to be the starter this fall. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Morris said that tight ends will be used a lot and have a valuable role in his offense, and fortunately for him, he has two high-quality players who could be the starters. 

Senior Olsen Patt-Henry was out for the spring with an injury and didn’t play in the spring game. However, he began last season as the starter. Over the course of the season, redshirt sophomore Christian Bentancur became a go-to guy at the tight end position for Clemson, though. Either could be the starter, but we don’t know exactly who will take it just yet. 

Patt-Henry had more upside when it comes to blocking, but Bentancur brings the receiving promise. Perhaps it’s a matter of what type of plays are being run at that set time, but it’s an answer that we don’t have until Patt-Henry gets healthy this summer. 

One thing is for certain: the competition will have them succeeding in 2026.