Clay Swinney

Joined Clemson as a walk-on in 2022 … continued in the lineage of Swinney family holders on placekicker, inheriting the role from his brothers Will (Clemson’s primary holder from 2017-21) and Drew (2022); the last placekick held by a non-Swinney entering 2025 was the final extra point of Clemson’s national championship victory against Alabama to end the 2016 season (Seth Ryan following Hunter Renfrow’s game-winning touchdown) … entered 2025 having previously appeared in 28 career games including 34 offensive snaps with two receptions for 28 yards. 2025: Once again serving as Clemson’s holder on placekicks … made season debut vs. No. 9 LSU … corralled a high snap for a perfect hold on Nolan Hauser’s 50-yard field goal to end the first half at Boston College … scored the first points of his career on a two-point conversion rush following Clemson’s first touchdown vs. Florida State … responsible for Clemson’s 200th consecutive field goal attempt held by the Swinney family on Nolan Hauser’s 45-yard field goal vs. Furman. 2024: Served as Clemson’s holder for all 87 of the Tigers’ placekicks (25 field goal attempts and 62 PAT attempts) … played 22 offensive snaps over 14 games with one reception for four yards … All-ACC Academic Team selection … caught a four-yard pass vs. Appalachian State … made a special teams critical play at Florida State, tracking and falling on a blocked field goal attempt late in the third quarter to save a potential field goal return for touchdown by the Seminoles with Clemson up 16 points … held for Nolan Hauser’s game-winning 56-yard walk-off field goal to win the ACC Championship Game vs. No. 8 SMU. 2023: Earned starting holder role coming out of fall camp … played in all 13 games, including 11 offensive snaps and one catch for 24 yards … held every placekick, including 24 field goal attempts and 46 PAT attempts … All-ACC Academic Team selection … made season debut at Duke … recorded first career reception vs. Charleston Southern, hauling in a 24-yard pass from Paul Tyson. 2022: Made collegiate debut vs. Louisiana Tech, playing one offensive snap. Before Clemson: Part of consecutive state championship teams at Daniel High School in 2020 and 2021 … caught 37 passes for 416 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2021 … also contributed as a kick returner and punt returner … played for Jeff Fruster at Daniel … also contributed on Daniel’s basketball team. Personal: Sports communication major … three-time ACC Honor Roll selection (2022-24) … two-time All-ACC Academic Team selection (2023-24) … son of Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney, becoming the third of Swinney’s three sons to play at Clemson … is the only of Dabo Swinney’s three sons to be born in South Carolina … his oldest brother, Will, tied the school and modern FBS record by playing 69 career games at Clemson from 2017-21 … his other brother, Drew, played in 40 career games for Clemson from 2018-22 … born July 29, 2003.