Chapel Fowler

Clemson beat writer for The State Newspaper (@thestatesports). Four-time high school rec basketball champion. Alum of @UNC and @dailytarheel

[Caroline Soro @caroline_soro]

NEW: Shawn Poppie announces guard Taylor Johnson-Matthews suffered a season-ending injury, something Clemson had gained clarity on in the past week.

Says she'll still be around the team on the bench and in classes.

[The State Newspaper @thestatesports]

Does Dabo regret not signing a transfer QB? What Clemson’s coach said https://t.co/gN1RKfEeSA

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Full quote from Dabo on not taking a transfer portal QB this offseason: “Sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you want, but I don’t have any regrets when it comes to that”

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says he has no regrets about not taking a transfer portal QB this offseason. Dabo: "I don't look back on that type of stuff. You live with the decisions you make, and you do what you think is right. ... I don't have any regrets when it comes to that"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Allen says Hampton could play safety for Clemson if they needed him to and he's an "unbelievable young man." Allen: "He represents this program in an elite way. ... I mean, nobody works harder. I don't know if he lost a hill (run), a sprint or a rep all offseason"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson DC Tom Allen on junior CB Ashton Hampton: "He's all of 6-foot-2, 200-plus pounds. ... He's got speed, and he's a really good tackler with a high football IQ. That's important -- the scouts don't ask me much about the football. It's more, 'How does he process?'"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson DC Tom Allen on junior CB Ashton Hampton: "He's all of 6-foot-2, 200-plus pounds. ... He's got speed, and he's a really good tackler with a high football IQ. That's important -- the scouts don't ask me much about the football. It's more, 'How does he process?'"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson DC Tom Allen says Virginia Tech's final TD pass was frustrating to him because they had "bad eyes" and just lost track of TE Luke Reynolds on the play and let him get behind them in end zone. Allen says they were "so close" to getting to VT's QB on that play, too

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says he has no regrets about not taking a transfer portal QB this offseason. Dabo: "I don't look back on that type of stuff. You live with the decisions you make, and you do what you think is right. ... I don't have any regrets when it comes to that"

[Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein]

Brad Brownell tells me that Clemson is preparing for the 2026-27 season with the thought that Carter Welling (knee) will be OUT for all of non-conference play.

The 6-11 Welling averaged 10.2 PPG and 5.4 RPG last season and suffered a torn ACL on March 11th in the ACC Tournament.

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson DC Tom Allen says senior DE Will Heldt seems to have gotten "bigger, stronger and faster" every season -- he's known of Heldt since he was a HS recruit who landed at Purdue. Also says Heldt is in "amazing shape" and rarely leaves the field since he plays special teams

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen says he's proud of his unit's improvement since Week 1 and their buy-in has been "tremendous." But the lack of turnovers is "frustrating" and they've talked a lot about not being able to finish vs. Virginia Tech (allowing the late TD)

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

After Saturday's Clemson-Florida State game, Dabo says he'll travel separately to Pelham to attend Hayes' funeral on Sunday. Hayes served six terms across 24 years as Pelham's mayor from 1984 to 2008

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is ending his presser by paying tribute to Bobby Hayes, the former mayor of his hometown, Pelham, Alabama, who died early Saturday morning at age 86. Dabo says Hayes was one of his personal heroes and "like a second father to me"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is ending his presser by paying tribute to Bobby Hayes, the former mayor of his hometown, Pelham, Alabama, who died early Saturday morning at age 86. Dabo says Hayes was one of his personal heroes and "like a second father to me"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Is Clemson coach Dabo Swinney worried about fan/donor apathy and people checking out at this point in the season? Dabo: "I'm just worried about having a great Tuesday practice." Says his focus is on what he can control, and that's prepping to try to beat Florida State

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, laughing: "In my fantasy (football) life, I'm doing great. I'm in first place. ... Maybe I should just retire and be a full-time fantasy guy." Says it's his first year in his big family league and one of his key late draft picks was Tre Tucker

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

With Vizzina (left elbow) back and close to 100% healthy now, Dabo says, he can certainly push Reynolds for playing time with five regular-season games left. Dabo: "We'll see. But Tait's our starter. He's earned that"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

There "definitely" would've been an ongoing quarterback battle between Clemson QB Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina had Vizzina not gotten hurt in Week 2. Dabo: "We thought we'd have both of those guys and it'd be a little bit more of a process as we went along"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

There "definitely" would've been an ongoing quarterback battle between Clemson QB Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina had Vizzina not gotten hurt in Week 2. Dabo: "We thought we'd have both of those guys and it'd be a little bit more of a process as we went along"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: "We may not get to the top of the mountain top this year, but we're gonna get it back to where we're supposed to be." Says they've played some "really good teams that are just better than us right now -- that's just football"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: "We've got good coaches. Like, Chad Morris? I know his name is mud right now, but this guy's a great coach, a great collaborator. ... This guy knows ball." Says their staff was in the building working until 11:30 p.m. last night

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Dabo: "We've got a lot great days ahead. This is all part of our journey"

[Chapel Fowler @chapelfowler]

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: "We have talented players, and we should have a better record right now. And that's on me. I'm not saying we should be undefeated -- we've played good teams -- but we should have a better record right now"