Dabo Swinney gushes about young talent following ACC title win

Clemson might not have lived up to the lofty standard of making the College Football Playoff, but winning an ACC championship is pretty solid. And after the game, head coach Dabo Swinney got to gush about the young talent that helped Clemson get back on top of the conference — and hopefully further next year.

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.”