Dabo Swinney is atypical in how he runs his Clemson Tigers. In this era where his adversaries lean on modern appendages, coach Dabo embraces tradition. You’ll hardly see Clemson dip into the transfer portal, if at all. But in order to keep things this way, continuity in the personnel that’s in-house is requisite. This tryst with tradition and their culture helped them keep hold of QB1 Cade Klubnik amidst NFL interest. Dabo Swinney has now achieved another checkmark in bringing the band back together.

Speaking of tradition, winning the battle at the line of scrimmage is the oldest trick to a winning football team. Clemson’s defensive line is a proponent of their success in recent years. It’s retooled and replenished aptly year after year, with 5-star Amare Adams foraying into a unit already dominant. Courtesy the likes of Vic Burley, Peter Woods and Stephiylan Green. One key component’s future at Death Valley was uncertain. However, Dabo Swinney and the program have been bestowed with some good news from the powers that be

Interior D-lineman DeMonte “Cuddie” Capehart has been a fixture in Dabo Swinney’s front 7 for five years now. The redshirt senior was destined to bid adieu to the program at the end of the 2024 season. However, his final year was far from linear. Capehart had some of his production on paper, which is remarkable given he was sidelined with injury for large parts of the season. As a result, he submitted a waiver with the NCAA to allow him another year of eligibility. The result was in the affirmative, and Cuddie will be terrorizing opposition QBs through 2025, too. In the wake of this confirmation, Cade Klubnik took to social media and gave his discernment.

Capehart and the Tigers did a conjoint post on social media to announce his return, captioned, “I’m back!! 2025…..🔜⏳” Klubnik reposted this to his IG story, and wrote “LETS RUN IT😤😤😤😤😤😤😤” He sure will be chuffed seeing a fellow NFL prospect forego the draft for another year to return for one last dance. 6’4, 315-pound man-mountain Capehart garnered a career-high 21 tackles last season in 11 games, of which he started only 6. Albeit he had merely 2 TFLs and no sacks, compared to 5 and 2 respectively the previous season. Capehart had a quiet confidence about the verdict of his waiver if his activity preceding it is anything to go by.

DeMonte Capehart remained on campus and was already enrolled in classes while his future was up in the air. He even partook in practice. While they were suspended in limbo, Dabo Swinney had said, “He’s training. He’s here. We just talked to him, as a matter of fact. … Hopefully, we’ll know something soon.” Dabo will be glad to have Cuddie’s services for another year. However, one man certainly takes the cake for being most excited about the result of this ordeal.

Dabo Swinney’s relief at keeping his D-Line intact perhaps outdone by his new subordinate

As much continuity as Dabo Swinney preaches with his troops and even lives by, change is the only constant. Not all change has to be bad, either. Change can be synonymous with evolution and progress. That’s exactly what Clemson has done this offseason, with what is certainly their biggest move across the board.

Clemson have managed to onboard Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen to fill that very capacity. This is viewed as a major coup, and for ample reason. Penn State was a top 10 defensive in the country last year. Before that, he’s won Big 10 COTY honors for his time with Indiana. Tom Allen brings loads of experience and coaching acumen to Death Valley. This is one of those watershed hires that changes the trajectory of a program. Similar to how Dabo Swinney’s hire did for this very program.

Things are trending well for Clemson. Their sensational entry into the inaugural 12-team CFP papered over some cracks that were conspicuous. Dabo Swinney has set high standards for this program, and heavy is the head that wears the crown. The pressure to build on last year’s momentum through a relatively weak ACC field shall remain. However, this mesh of stability with the players in tandem with upgrades in the coaching ranks does bode well.