Episode Details

Opening Banter & Personal Notes (allergies/sunburn)

Both hosts complain about spring pollen in South Carolina (cars caked, Claritin use, endless nature woes). Craven mentions a bad sunburn from forgetting sunscreen ("my face looks like a tomato" / "grape tomato" jokes). They keep it light, note it's a busy week but football talk is welcome before the long off-season desert, and emphasize they always find Clemson content.

Spring Game Recap (Orange 23, White 3)

The annual spring game in Death Valley (March 28, 2026, ~1:30 PM kickoff, shortened format) ended with Orange dominating White 23-3. The rosters were unevenly stacked (Orange had most projected defensive starters and depth advantage), leading to lopsided stats:

• First downs: Orange 15, White 6
• Net rushing: Orange 120, White -4
• Net passing: Orange 166, White 49
• Total offense: Orange ~286, White 45
• Sacks: Orange 9, White 2
• Time of possession: roughly even (~30-29)
• Third downs: Orange 5/12, White 1/10
• Red zone: both 100% (Orange 3/3, White 1/1)

Play-calling/schematics stayed vanilla (limited playbook, as expected). Energy/competitiveness was solid despite the smaller crowd and score disparity. Key takeaway: defense (especially DL) showed major promise under Tom Allen in year two.

Standouts & Observations:

• Defensive Line dominated (9 sacks total). London Merritt (transfer, ex-Colorado) had 2.5 sacks + hurries/TFLs — looked like a stud with real upside. Vic Burley also had 2.5 sacks. Darien Mayo added multiple TFLs. Ari Watford flashed positively (rehab from prior ACL). Overall DL depth/athleticism/physicality looked vastly improved vs. 2025 issues (length, movement, attack).
• Secondary: New safeties (Carter/Myrick?) and Polo Anderson (true freshman) impressed; limited explosive plays through the air. Ashton Hampton physical on young WRs. Back end noticeably better.
• Linebackers: Depth concerns behind projected starters (Sammy Brown, Kobe McCloud — who had a safety). Fletcher Cothran (White) led all with 10 tackles and showed well.
• Chippiness/Intensity: Positive signs of competitiveness (e.g., post-whistle between Vic Burley and Easton Ware). Dabo on the mic called out players (Sammy Brown late hit, Tate Reynolds goal-line decisions) in entertaining fashion while coaching.
• Offense: Limited flashes due to vanilla scheme and strong Orange DL vs. young/backup OL. Gideon Davidson looked explosive (9 carries, 80+ yards, 35-yard run) as potential every-down back. Tyler Brown (5 rec, 47 yds, TD) and Christian Bantikur (tight end, 4 rec/45 yds) stood out. Young WRs (Gordon Sellers one-handed TD catch) showed flashes but also freshman mistakes. OL a clear work in progress (struggled vs. DL depth).

Dabo/Overall Vibe: Defense trending up significantly (better personnel fit for Allen's scheme, transfers impacting immediately). Offense has pieces but questions at OL and consistency. Competitiveness/fire felt improved.

QB Notes: Chris Vizzina (10/18, 95 yds, TD + 14 rush yds) and Tate Reynolds (7/10, 74 yds + rushing TD) clearly separated as 1-2 (Dabo confirmed; "not close"). Vizzina remains the front-runner/experienced guy with arm talent/consistency; Reynolds brings live arm, athleticism, and upside (freshman mistakes expected). Others (Chris Denson — dynamic runner but passing limitations; Trent Pierman, Brock Bradley) lag far behind. Denson unlikely to play meaningful QB snaps at this level.

Running Backs: Gideon Davidson bursty/physical (looks ready for bigger role). "Easy E" (David Eziomoumeh), Chris Johnson Jr., and a Jarvis Gree