Dabo Swinney expresses pride in seeing son score during ACC title game

It turned out to be a relatively inconsequential two-point try in blowout conference title game win, but Dabo Swinney was brimming with paternal pride when talking about the two-point try his son Drew Swinney scored against North Carolina.

After a Clemson touchdown put the Tigers ahead, 30-10, with just more than five minutes to play in the third quarter, the fake on the PAT was on. Drew Swinney, the holder for Clemson as well as a reserve receiver, kept the snap and went right through the left side for two.

“Yeah it was great,” Dabo Swinney said. “We knew we had that and we — that put us up, instead of three touchdowns, it was three touchdowns and a two point. It was a good play, and he had a couple nice plays.” 

Drew Swinney also reeled in two catches for 11 yards on Saturday to go with his running two-point conversion. And as the head coach got going about his younger son, he sounded like he does when he talks up any of the players on his roster.

“Drew’s a guy we got a lot of confidence in. And he’s steady, he’s consistent, he knows what to do, he’s tough, he catches it. And every opportunity he’s had this year, he’s taken advantage of it. And he’s one of the most respected guys on this team, too. He’s a great leader and unbelievably committed. So I’m really happy for him and proud of him for the game he had,” Dabo Swinney said.

Dabo Swinney gushed about young talent for Clemson after the game, too

From a pair of sophomore running backs to a true freshman starting at right tackle all year, Saturday night’s drubbing of North Carolina was a crowning achievement for these young players. And don’t forget true freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik fully coming into his own.

“It means our future’s bright, for sure,” Swinney said. “We’ve got a bright future.”

In his answer, Swinney ultimately named more than a half dozen players, none of them Klubnik — though it’s fair to take a moment and appreciate what the heralded quarterback prospect did against UNC.

Klubnik entered the game for the third drive, something Swinney said was the plan all along, and went 20-of-24 for 279 yards and touchdown.

Beyond Klubnik, Swinney praised a number of freshmen and sophomores — plus a few older players planning to return — that have become staples of the Clemson offense this season: Wideout Antonio Williams, running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, tight end Jake Briningstool, plus offensive linemen Blake Miller, Will Putnam, Marcus Tate and Walker Parks.

All in all, it’s got Swinney brimming with confidence for what’s to come.

“So, I’m excited,” Swinney said. “Marcus Tate, as a sophomore, had a great year for us. Obviously he got hurt and is out. But he had a great year, really took a big step forward. Putnam moving to center and coming back next year. Walker Parks, freshman Blake Miller starting at right tackle for us, all year long. So, again, there’s been a lot of those guys that have done some good things on that offensive side, for sure.”