On a sunny, crisp and cool Saturday afternoon, Clemson football held its annual Orange and White game. It certainly did not disappoint, with head coach Dabo Swinney motivating his players throughout the game to clean up mistakes and to perform to the best of their capabilities. The battle between teams featured a promising future for Clemson football. So, what stood out in this game that is important to note for the team and fans going into the upcoming season?
Offensive playcalling was gutsy from the start
Right out of the gate, both teams showed a willingness to pass the ball downfield under the team’s new offensive coordinator, Chad Morris — something that was certainly lacking in some games under former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. On the first drive of the game, Christopher Vizzina, the presumptive starting quarterback for the fall, completed a pass to freshman wideout Gordon Sellars III. Although no points came from this first drive for the Orange team, the White team would draw first blood.
Enter Tait Reynolds, a freshman from Arizona rated as high as a four-star prospect. Reynolds showed incredible poise at the quarterback position as he completed his first few passes — one of which was a pass play to wide receiver Juju Preston. The White team would walk away with a field goal courtesy of Robert Gunn III, as well as the early lead.
Running backs looked strong
A position the Tigers should feel good about for the upcoming season is the running back position. The reemergence of Gideon Davidson at the spring game was a promising sight. Davidson flashed his speed during the second quarter as he burst for a first down for the White team. He could play a vital role in Morris’ two-back option offense during the upcoming season.
Transfer Chris Johnson Jr. from SMU also saw some reps during the game. He was regarded as one of the fastest players in the transfer portal this past offseason and could be a home run hitter for the Tigers when they need a backfield threat for opposing defenses.
Both teams had defensive depth
Both teams showed grit on defense throughout the game. The defensive players for the Orange and White teams combined for 10 sacks in the afternoon, with the Orange team leading the way with nine. Whether it was a true freshman or a transfer player making a play, the depth on the defensive side shone on Saturday. Make no mistake, this new look defense under Tom Allen could be a force to be reckoned with in the fall.
Transfers made their presence known
The defense’s depth was extremely satisfying to see. However, each of Clemson’s defensive transfers was making play after play. London Merritt, a defensive edge transfer from Colorado, started it all. Merritt had a sack for the Orange team during the White team’s first drive of the second quarter.
Another notable transfer who had a strong showing during the spring game included Oklahoma transfer Markus Strong. He started on the interior of the defensive line and flashed his dominant size and speed after injuries to other defensive players sidelined them. Strong showed he was going to be a force on the field in the fall.
The secondary for the Tigers also shone, as transfer additions Donovan Starr and Elliot Washington II garnered praise from Swinney. Starr, who started for the White team, showed immense speed and potential for the secondary heading into the fall. Meanwhile, Washington also showed off his blazing speed, which he could bring to the position as a possible starter this upcoming season.
Freshman playmakers shined
On both teams’ offenses and defenses, the freshmen really stood out. Wide receivers Sellars III and Naeem Burroughs both made timely, precise catches. The two will compete for a spot to replace Antonio Williams, who is off to the NFL, at the slot receiver position.
Another freshman who showed promise was Kam Cody at defensive tackle. Cody had a big tackle for loss on fellow freshman quarterback Reynolds, and is a name to watch for the future of the Clemson defense. In the secondary, in-state, four-star player Kentavion “Polo” Anderson was making plays at safety, proving that he has a chance to be something special.
Reynolds has solidified a spot in the quarterback’s room for himself, showing patience and precision in his plays. He put himself in firm control to back up Vizzina going into the season.
Along the offensive line, Braden Wilmes, a 6-foot-8 prospect from Kansas, showed strong blocking ability. The offensive line should be in good hands for the Tigers in the coming months, with other freshman linemen like Leo Delaney and Grant Wise showing immense promise.
While all these aspects for the 2026 Clemson football team are exciting, a few concerns came up as well.
Chris Denson struggled
Chris Denson showed some struggles at the quarterback position for the White team on Saturday. He only saw two drives in total. On the first dive of the third quarter, Denson and the White team came up short, leaving them without any points.
After the game, Swinney hinted at the possibility that Denson could have a potential position change if he were open to it. Swinney did not hesitate to say that the young quarterback was one of the most gifted athletes on the team. Hopefully, Denson can improve on some of his early mistakes and have his name back in the mix for a starting job in the future.
The Orange team displayed dominance
Throughout most of the game, the Orange team showed that they were simply better. While the White team had its moments, the Orange team capitalized on the White team’s miscues and errors. As mentioned before, the Orange team’s defense led the way with nine sacks, while the White team had just one — the latter seemed outmatched by talented prospects at times.
In the end, this was the deciding factor, with the Orange team winning 23-3.
While this game is just a small taste of what the 2026 Clemson football team is fully capable of this season, it was incredible for a new era of Swinney football that will feature 10 transfers, prominent freshmen and a cast of returning players. This fall will be intriguing to watch unfold.
