Clemson Football Roster Overhaul Ahead of 2026 Season

New faces and changes expected as Tigers prepare for spring practice

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:55am

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As Clemson football gets set to begin spring practice later this month, the team's roster will have a much different look compared to recent seasons. Tiger Illustrated provides an in-depth preview of the key personnel changes and storylines to watch as the Tigers look to reload for the 2026 campaign.

Why it matters

Clemson has been one of the most consistent and successful college football programs over the past decade, winning multiple ACC titles and making regular appearances in the College Football Playoff. However, the Tigers are facing significant roster turnover this offseason, which could impact their ability to maintain that high level of performance going forward.

The details

With several key starters and contributors from the 2025 team having graduated or declared for the NFL Draft, Clemson will be relying on a mix of experienced veterans and highly-touted newcomers to fill those vacant roles. The Tigers' quarterback position is one of the biggest question marks, with the departure of multi-year starter DJ Uiagalelei leaving an open competition between redshirt junior Hunter Helms and a pair of highly-recruited freshmen.

  • Clemson football will begin spring practice later this month.
  • The Tigers' 2026 season opener is scheduled for September 5th.

The players

DJ Uiagalelei

Clemson's multi-year starting quarterback who has departed the program.

Hunter Helms

Redshirt junior quarterback who is expected to be in the mix to replace Uiagalelei as the Tigers' starting QB.

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What they’re saying

“We have a lot of new faces and new roles to sort out this spring, but I'm confident our team will rise to the challenge and be ready to compete at a high level in the fall.”

— Dabo Swinney, Clemson Head Coach

What’s next

Clemson will hold its annual spring game on April 12th, which will provide the first public glimpse of the team's new-look roster.

The takeaway

After years of sustained success, Clemson is facing a critical offseason of roster turnover that will test the program's depth and development pipeline. How the Tigers navigate these personnel changes could go a long way in determining whether they are able to maintain their status as one of the ACC's premier teams in 2026 and beyond.