CLEMSON — Prior to Wednesday’s scrimmage at Memorial Stadium, Dabo Swinney was talking to Kevin Kelly, football’s director of player evaluation and acquisition. Clemson’s head coach mentioned to Kelly how the offense had just two starters on the field.

“I said, ‘The defense should dominate.’ And they did,” Swinney said after the Tigers’ first scrimmage of the spring. “That was good to see. That has not always been the case the last couple of years when we have been down some guys on offense and this and that, but I thought it was a real good scrimmage from all three groups defensively.”

Swinney said the defense’s performance on Wednesday was by far its best scrimmage since Tom Allen took over as defensive coordinator in January of 2025.

“I am just really encouraged about a lot of guys,” Swinney said.

Clemson’s head coach said the tackling was good, but there were a few mistakes they need to get cleaned up. He said there were a few substitution issues, as well as a couple of penalties in the red zone. They also lined up offsides on third-and-two.

“But other than that, it was really clean today,” Swinney said. “We turned the ball over. Got our hands on the ball. I thought some of the younger guys and some of the new guys stood out. So again, I thought defensively, it was a really good day.”

Obviously, that was not the case on offense.

Swinney said there were some good things the offense did on Wednesday. He praised his running backs, especially Gideon Davis, Chris Johnson, Jr., and Jarvis Green.

However, the quarterbacks did not play well overall, while his young offensive linemen and wide receivers got exposed several times during the two-hour scrimmage.

“Collectively, guys getting exposed. It helps you. I think it helps accelerate their teaching and your coaching because guys sometimes think they are better than they are,” Swinney said.

Swinney mentioned a few examples, especially a couple of freshmen, that were exposed by his veteran defensive players.

“That is what they need. That is the only way they get better,” he said.

Clemson had a lot of players out on offense, which led to some issues, such as procedures penalties and turnovers.

“We got a bunch of guys, but we have to get more confident and consistent across the board, especially with our centers, except for Harris (Sewell),” Swinney said. “Harris was excellent. So, we have to develop these young guys that are getting an opportunity to play.”

Swinney was also disappointed with veteran kicker Nolan Hauser. The Clemson coach said Hauser missed three field goals in the scrimmage, including a couple of chip-shot kicks.

Overall, according to Swinney, Hauser has had a good spring, but the placekicker was not ready for Wednesday’s scrimmage.

“The scoreboard was lit up today. He was terrible. He was not ready. He got worse.” Swinney said. “They were layups, chip-shots. That is the life of a kicker. He signed up for the position. Those things create momentum. (The offense) puts a little drive together, and they get nothing. So, he has to do his job. We are counting on him. He is not a freshman.

“I do not think he was mentality where he needs to be today. Like I said, he is probably lying on the beach somewhere. I do not know where he is at, but he was not at Clemson football practice today.”

Clemson will take the next 10 days off for Spring Break before returning to practice on March 22.