Dabo Swinney blasted the return of NFL players to college football, calling the concept "embarrassing" on Tuesday as his team prepares to face an LSU squad that is attempting to roster multiple players who participated in NFL preseason games. "Rarely am I at a loss for words," Swinney said. "But I'm at kind of a loss of words.
I would just say it's kind of embarrassing. I mean, honestly, it's just embarrassing that that's where we are. I don't blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system.
I just think it's embarrassing where we are with college football." Clemson is a 10-point underdog for its road showdown at No. 11 LSU, and it's still unclear who will be on the field for LSU for the marquee Week 1 game inside Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Depending on the outcome of a Thursday court hearing in Louisiana, LSU could have multiple players in uniform who have been with NFL franchises during the preseason. Most notably, first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin is attempting to roster tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris.
Both were key starters for Kiffin at Ole Miss last season. Wright spent time with the Browns during the preseason while Harris did a stint with the Saints. Swinney pointed out that a coaching staff typically spends time studying how their Week 1 opponent's transfers played at their former schools.
He quipped about taking a different approach in preparation for the LSU game. "Been spending this last week or so studying the Browns, the Cowboys, the Saints and the Bucs trying to get ready," Swinney said. "I actually got to go watch practice in early June for the Browns.
So I'm probably going to get turned in for tampering, I don't know. I'd have paid a little more attention. It's hard." Like the SEC, the ACC has passed a rule banning former NFL players from returning to their leagues.
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