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UNC FOOTBALL THREAD//
As Mack Brown continues to elevate the profile of the UNC football program, he'll continue to draw comparisons to Dabo Swinney and Clemson
Let's take a look at Dabo's rise at Clemson in the early 2010s and take stock/compare to where UNC is now (July 2020)
As Mack Brown continues to elevate the profile of the UNC football program, he'll continue to draw comparisons to Dabo Swinney and Clemson
Let's take a look at Dabo's rise at Clemson in the early 2010s and take stock/compare to where UNC is now (July 2020)
1/ First of all, this comparison makes sense. Clemson has taken over control of the ACC's Atlantic Division. UNC hopes to do the same with the ACC Coastal.
Brown has drawn the comparison directly, saying "We want to be the Clemson of the Coastal" ( https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Tar-Heels-Mack-Browns-Challenge-in-Chasing-Clemson-Tigers-Dabo-Swinney--136062476/)
Brown has drawn the comparison directly, saying "We want to be the Clemson of the Coastal" ( https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Tar-Heels-Mack-Browns-Challenge-in-Chasing-Clemson-Tigers-Dabo-Swinney--136062476/)
2/ Dabo's first full year at Clemson was 09 after taking over for Tommy Bowden midseason in 08. It took him a little bit to get things going...
Records by year
09: 9-5
10: 6-7
11: 10-4
Recruiting rankings by year
09: 36
10: 27
11: 10
UNC went 7-6 last year, 19th in recruiting
Records by year
09: 9-5
10: 6-7
11: 10-4
Recruiting rankings by year
09: 36
10: 27
11: 10
UNC went 7-6 last year, 19th in recruiting
3/ I think the first major comparison to be drawn is that both Dabo and Mack got their quarterback early on that changed things on the field.
For Clemson & Dabo, that recruit was five-star Tajh Boyd (Class/09)
For UNC & Mack, that recruit is four-star Sam Howell (Class/19)
For Clemson & Dabo, that recruit was five-star Tajh Boyd (Class/09)
For UNC & Mack, that recruit is four-star Sam Howell (Class/19)
4/ Boyd took over as starter in 2011 to take the Tigers to the Orange Bowl, won the thing as a senior. Boyd transitioned to Watson, and Watson led the Tigers to a BCS Title.
UNC isn't at the Watson stage yet. But I think the Boyd/Howell comparison is very fair at this time
UNC isn't at the Watson stage yet. But I think the Boyd/Howell comparison is very fair at this time
5/ There are also some comparisons/lessons to be drawn in recruiting
Dabo started to really win the state of South Carolina in some of his early classes before transitioning to a national wish list later on
For example, in the 2011 class, Clemson signed 15 from the State of SC
Dabo started to really win the state of South Carolina in some of his early classes before transitioning to a national wish list later on
For example, in the 2011 class, Clemson signed 15 from the State of SC
6/ UNC is undergoing that same process, dominating in-state recruiting.
This has been well-covered, but as a reminder - UNC has 17 commits for the Class of 2017 and 14 of those are from the State of NC.
UNC is getting close to the stage where Clemson was in the early 2010s
This has been well-covered, but as a reminder - UNC has 17 commits for the Class of 2017 and 14 of those are from the State of NC.
UNC is getting close to the stage where Clemson was in the early 2010s
7/ You don't have to dominate in-state forever - for Class of '16, Clemson's top-three recruiting states were Georgia (5 players), NC (4) and SC (4)
UNC is not there yet. But, Mack may have to get there by the time the Class of 2022 rolls around as there is less in-state talent
UNC is not there yet. But, Mack may have to get there by the time the Class of 2022 rolls around as there is less in-state talent
8/ It also took a while for Clemson to flat-out dominate in recruiting...
Clemson Class rankings by year
2009: 36
2010: 27
2011: 10
2012: 20
2013: 15
2014: 16
2015: 9
2016: 11 (National Champion)
But if you recruit the QB position well, and supplement with some blue-chippers..
Clemson Class rankings by year
2009: 36
2010: 27
2011: 10
2012: 20
2013: 15
2014: 16
2015: 9
2016: 11 (National Champion)
But if you recruit the QB position well, and supplement with some blue-chippers..
9/ Let's also talk about on the field
You can recruit all you want, but you've gotta win some ballgames too
Clemson had some early struggles in the big games (remember Clemsoning?), but a few marquee wins changed the tenor of the program
You can recruit all you want, but you've gotta win some ballgames too
Clemson had some early struggles in the big games (remember Clemsoning?), but a few marquee wins changed the tenor of the program
10/ In Dabo's first full season, on Oct. 24, 2009, Clemson went down and beat 8th-ranked Miami. Was their only win over a ranked team that season
Next season, on Sept. 18, 2010, Clemson went down to play 16th-ranked Auburn and lost 27-24. Remember, they finished 6-7 that year
Next season, on Sept. 18, 2010, Clemson went down to play 16th-ranked Auburn and lost 27-24. Remember, they finished 6-7 that year
11/ During the 2011 season, Clemson started to prove it on the field. They won three straight against ranked teams (Auburn, FSU & VT) before going on to win the ACC Championship.
They've won at least 10 games every year since
They've won at least 10 games every year since
12/ On-field, I think UNC is somewhere similar to where Clemson is either in 10 or 11.. they've got the QB and have proved they can compete in the big game (2019 loss to Clemson)
Two games against ranked opponents (UCF, Auburn) to start the 2020 season offers a great opportunity
Two games against ranked opponents (UCF, Auburn) to start the 2020 season offers a great opportunity
13/ In closing...
Lots of buzz that UNC will be the next team to win their first National Championship ( @bartonsimmons, others)
It took Dabo 9 seasons to win his first. These things take time.
But, I feel like it's not hyperbolic to say UNC is following Clemson's path
Lots of buzz that UNC will be the next team to win their first National Championship ( @bartonsimmons, others)
It took Dabo 9 seasons to win his first. These things take time.
But, I feel like it's not hyperbolic to say UNC is following Clemson's path
14/ And in some ways, Mack is speeding up UNC's timeline...
Not counting Da'Quan Bowers, who committed under the Bowden regime, it took Dabo 9 recruiting classes to sign his first Top-10 prospect (Dexter Lawrence, Class/16)
Mack already has one in Tony Grimes.
//End thread
Not counting Da'Quan Bowers, who committed under the Bowden regime, it took Dabo 9 recruiting classes to sign his first Top-10 prospect (Dexter Lawrence, Class/16)
Mack already has one in Tony Grimes.
//End thread
