Yesterday I learned that members of Clemson athletics read what is posted on the forum here. The following is something I’ve now posted on several Clemson sports message boards. My hope is that they read this. There’s been much debate about NIL among our fanbase. One thing is certain. Clemson wants the fanbase to contribute to NIL, but most probably agree they have done a poor job of communicating why the fans should support it. I’m not even sure what I’m suggesting for early signing day is allowed by the NCAA (does that even matter anymore?), but it’s the next opportunity to reach the fanbase when they are listening.
——-
Perhaps the best thing Clemson could do right now is use early signing day as an opportunity to publicly apologize for not keeping up with market value to sign the talented players they recruited and sold them on verbally committing to Clemson. Explain to the fanbase how NIL now has an established market value for top 100 recruits and the fanbase can help with the '26 class and beyond by contributing to NIL. Then let CD Davies speak about the 110 Society. Upload it to YouTube and then promote this message like crazy.
---
I believe the worst thing Clemson football could do on early signing day is gaslight the Clemson fanbase that the program signed the guys they needed and compare them to Dabo's first class as the foundation for a "best is yet to come" future. Continue to further smokescreen the problem by telling the fans the upcoming revenue share will fix this problem.
----
Dabo Swinney, Graham Neff, and CD Davies you are at a crossroads. Which of the two paths will you be taking?
