Four Tigers Land on 2026 All-ACC Preseason Roster
Clemson placed four players on the 2026 Preseason All-ACC Team following ACC Kickoff polling: wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. on offense, and on defense edge rusher Will Heldt, linebacker Sammy Brown, and cornerback Ashton Hampton. Wesco, returning from a neck injury that sidelined him for the season’s back half, averaged over 75 receiving yards per game in 2025. Brown led the conference in defensive votes, even picking up 11 nods for ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Heldt, a transfer from Purdue, finished third-team All-ACC last year by topping the Tigers in tackles for loss and sacks. Hampton hopes to succeed the program’s established shutdown corners. Media projections slot Clemson fourth in the conference with 2,520 votes, trailing Miami, SMU, and Louisville, but Dabo Swinney still earned seven first-place votes. After a 7–6 finish in 2025, expectations are tempered, but revenge matches against LSU and South Carolina loom as prime-time opportunities.
Behold, the preseason prophecy where Clemson’s heralded squad is demoted to “also-ran” status, because apparently finishing 7–6 means you should pack your bags for Division II. Four brave souls—Wesco, Brown, Heldt, and Hampton—have valiantly clawed their way onto the All-ACC ballot, despite the media’s tender mercies. Sammy Brown even got a few votes to be the entire conference, because why not? Meanwhile, the rest of the Tigers cohort must console themselves with “revenge” games and “prime-time” fixtures—terms reporters use to ward off panic attacks. Rest assured, these preseason rankings are carved in stone… until the first turnover happens, then it’s back to the drawing board.
Defensive Guru Predicts Lawson’s 2026 Glory
Since returning in December 2023, Clemson defensive ends coach Chris Rumph has watched Jahiem Lawson progress from “Shaq’s little brother” to a bona fide starter candidate for 2026. The Central, South Carolina native climbed the depth chart over three seasons, posting career highs with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2025. Rumph praises Lawson’s relentless motor, calling him one of the strongest and toughest players he’s coached, despite a modest 6-foot-2 frame. Lawson has formed a supportive bond with fellow edge Will Heldt, aiding each other’s diets and training. As Clemson aims to climb from 19th in sacks last year, Rumph expects Lawson’s chip-on-his-shoulder mentality to fuel a breakout performance and leadership role on Tom Allen’s defense in 2026.
Enter Jahiem Lawson, local underdog turned edge-rushing hero, fueled by equal parts sibling rivalry and leftover high-school peanut butter. Coach Rumph’s got him marked as the next big thing, which is industry code for “we might actually sack somebody this season.” Forget 6-foot-2 limitations—that’s just measurement anxiety. Lawson’s secret weapon? A diet plan personally blessed by his buddy Will Heldt, involving protein shakes and motivational pep talks in the mirror. If all goes according to plan, the Tigers’ defense will be terrorizing quarterbacks while Lawson collects autographs for his fan club—just don’t call him “Jah,” or the chip on his shoulder might get a restraining order.
Leave a Reply