Dabo Swinney Calls College Football's Latest Eligibility Battle 'Embarrassing'

By Staff Reporter•Sep 1, 20261:02 pm•

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney weighed in Tuesday on the ongoing eligibility battle that could allow former NFL players to return to college football.

The issue has directly impacted LSU, which has been working to add former NFL players to its roster following a Louisiana court ruling.

Swinney said he doesn't blame the players for taking advantage of the opportunity but called the current state of college football "embarrassing."

quote:
"I would just say it's kind of embarrassing. I mean, honestly, it's just embarrassing that that's where we are," Swinney said. "And 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."

"It's embarrassing. I mean, it really is; we have no rules, there's no governance. I mean, it's a joke; there are zero rules. And when you enforce rules, somebody just goes and finds a judge to say, no, you can't enforce that rule."

Despite his frustration, Swinney said Clemson will focus on what it can control as the Tigers prepare to face LSU on Saturday.

quote:
“I just keep my energy and focus on things that I control. All of that outside stuff, I mean, we just kind of — no pun intended — we stay in our lane here at Clemson.”

Clemson and LSU kickoff Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC from Tiger Stadium.

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A Menace to Sobriety•51 min

He's right. It's stupid and very very bad for the sport. This is the shite that happens when you open the Pandora's box with the NIL/transfer stuff.

At the same time don't get mad at LSU and only LSU for trying to take advantage of something that isn't against the rules. Be also mad at Texas, Ole Miss, and many other schools that are doing this. You can take the "rules for thee and not for me" bull shite and shove it up your butts.

UGATiger26•48 min

Those who were against NIL realized the Pandora's Box it would open. And here we are. CFB is a joke. I used to be a huge CFB fan, but now I don't give a damn. I'll watch a "big" game now and then simply for the social aspect, but I couldn't care less about who wins or loses. They're all mercenaries. Very few players actually give a shite about the color of their jersey anymore.

CajunBullet•38 min

When you get the almighty "Dollar Bill ????" involved with the players in College Sports. And with no guidelines and regulations set into place you are going to have havic, just like what we are experiencing now! ????

sabbertooth•49 min

I agree with Dabo. NCAA totally blew the 5/5 implementation. They could’ve easily made the ruling retroactive to the end of last year‘s football season. And added the caveat if any of these kids went to NFL camp they were in eligible to be reinstated in NCAA football.

CajunBullet•36 min

Can't expect the NCAA to do anything that has any logic or makes any common sense!

Tarheel Tiger•47 min

Interesting that Clemson staying in their lane involves getting player on their team through a lawsuit TRO for a 5th year of eligibility. Wasn't a pro to college scenario but a redshirt/junior college year of eligibility dispute which ultimately the player won through TRO and is now on Clemson's team. Dabo certainly didn't disclose that, nor would i expect him to but...it is embarrassing.

LaSportsFan1•2 min

This guy seems to say "I mean..." every couple of sentences. Not very impressive as a communicator.

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