Tampering is a widespread issue in college football in the transfer portal era, and increasing concerns about tampering have led a number of programs around the country to cancel their spring games.

So, did Clemson ever have any discussions about possibly cancelling its spring game?

Head coach Dabo Swinney was asked that question Friday afternoon when he met with the media before the Tigers officially began spring practice.

Swinney made it clear what the status of Clemson’s spring game is, despite cancellations across the country.

“No, we’re going to have a spring game, and I hope we can have some type of fan day with it as well, I hope. I don’t know, we’ll see,” Swinney said.

“But listen, whether you have a spring game or not, there’s going to be tampering. … Cancelling a spring game ain’t going to stop tampering. We’re going to need a lot more help than that to stop tampering, and hopefully at some point that’ll happen.”

Swinney added that “if you told me we could have two or three preseason games in the fall, I’d probably have a different approach to the spring.”

But of course, contrary to the NFL, there are no preseason games against other teams in college football because, basically, the NCAA doesn’t allow it.

“There’s a reason why the NFL, they have OTAs and all that, but they also have four preseason games to play football, to figure their team out, to evaluate,” Swinney said. “We don’t get that. We play LSU (in the 2025 season opener).”

As Swinney noted, the spring game is especially beneficial for Clemson’s less-experienced players, giving them live game-like reps and helping them develop.

“To me, I look at our scrimmage opportunities as an opportunity to expose your guys, teach them. … We’ve got a lot of guys on our team that haven’t played many snaps… they need to go play football,” Swinney said. “We’ve got a lot of those guys. … You’ve got to create opportunities for guys to get better. You’re smart with that, but everybody’s got to make their own decisions.”

Swinney also pointed out that the spring game is a precious chance for Clemson’s youngsters – like those the Tigers signed in their 2025 recruiting class – to get a taste of what it’s like to play in a big-time college football gameday atmosphere, before they truly experience it when the regular season kicks off.

“I hope we can have a bunch of fans,” Swinney said. “That’s the other thing – when else do we get a chance to create any type of environment that feels like a game for some of these young guys?”

Some schools are having spring games, but not televising them. So, will Clemson’s spring game be televised?

Swinney said the Tigers intend to do an in-house broadcast instead of having a television partner, such as ACC Network, like some past years.

“We’re going to do our own in-house thing, but y’all will see it. We’re going to invite everybody, so show up, come!” Swinney said. “But we’re going to do our own deal so we don’t have to kind of be told what we gotta do. Maybe we can shorten the game and all that stuff, too. Don’t have to have a bunch of commercials and all that stuff. But hopefully we have a great crowd and a great environment, and again, I’d like to incorporate some type of fan day with it. Maybe an hour, not long, but maybe make that a part of it. It’d be kind of cool as well.”

Clemson’s 2025 Orange vs. White spring game is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at Memorial Stadium, and as Swinney said, it is open to the public.