Dabo says pursuit of NFL players 'embarrassing'

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Dabo Swinney said preparing for a Week 1 matchup against an LSU team that features more than 40 transfers and a new offensive coaching staff has been a challenge that has required him to watch tape from a dozen schools. One thing he isn't watching, however, is NFL preseason games. Instead, Swinney said -- "no pun intended," he insisted -- he and his Tigers are "staying in our lane" when it comes to LSU coach Lane Kiffin's decision to push for two players who were in NFL minicamps to play for his team, perhaps against Clemson, should a judge allow it. Tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka have been practicing with LSU in the run-up to the opener, despite both having spent time in NFL camps. Wright actually played in preseason games with the Cleveland Browns, which Swinney noted with a joke Tuesday. "I got to watch Browns practice in early June," Swinney said. "I'm probably going to get turned in for tampering." Swinney has long been critical of the professionalization of college football, eschewing the transfer portal for several years and continuing to put a focus on retaining his own players and developing high school recruits. The latest drama around the potential return of players from the 2022 recruiting class who left for the NFL before the NCAA adjusted eligibility rules to allow five full years of on-field action is something Swinney said he had never dreamed would happen. "It's kind of embarrassing," Swinney said. "Honestly, it's embarrassing that's where we are. I don't blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system. It's embarrassing, but we've been there for a while." Swinney's Tigers open the season at LSU on Saturday in a rematch of last year's opener, which LSU won 17-10.