Dabo Swinney has built Clemson into a powerhouse, but his approach to recruiting has always been unique. In a recent conversation with six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick, Swinney discussed a topic he’s passionate about—recruiting wrestlers.
He firmly believes that wrestlers excel in football because of their discipline, toughness, and ability to control leverage on the field. According to him, players transitioning from wrestling to football often adapt their skills more effectively to the game.
Dabo Swinney Says Wrestlers Make the Best Football Players in Clemson Recruiting
In a recent episode of “ESPN College Football,” Rece Davis and Pete Thamel turned the spotlight on Bill Belichick—and more unexpectedly, on Dabo Swinney’s unique recruiting philosophy. During a one-hour sit-down, Swinney shared his strong belief in recruiting multi-sport athletes, especially those with wrestling backgrounds.
“Every wrestler that we have signed at Clemson has become a great football player for us,” Swinney said. He pointed to Grady Jarrett, a former two-star recruit, as a prime example.
“Grady Jarrett was probably my top guy. He was a two-star recruit. To Canada, I’m just like, this guy’s amazing. His motor, but he was a wrestling champ. And that translates. I mean, he’s been playing, he’s on year 11 now.”
Jarrett played at Clemson from 2011 to 2014 and became a star defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. Wrestlers like him, according to Swinney, bring more than just strength. They know how to control leverage, play with discipline, and push through fatigue. Those are qualities every coach dreams of, especially in linemen and linebackers.
But Swinney’s belief in multi-sport athletes goes beyond wrestling. He consistently looks for players with backgrounds in basketball, track, or soccer. He believes focusing on just one sport can limit a player’s growth.
The Tigers HC added, “You see a lot of basketball kids, skilled guys, that go all basketball that I think limit their opportunity. Whereas if they did play football, great receivers, great safeties, great quarterbacks, mean, there’s so many running backs.”
This approach is more than just a personal preference. It reflects a growing trend in college football. Coaches are turning to multi-sport athletes for their versatility and lower injury risk. Studies show that athletes who play multiple sports are less likely to suffer overuse injuries and often develop better all-around athleticism.
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However, this is not a new phenomenon in the college football world. Many athletes have transitioned between wrestling and football, but statistically, wrestlers are more likely to shift into football. Coaches love recruiting them because they tend to have great footwork and physical toughness, making them ideal for blocking, tackling, and controlling opponents in the trenches.
This isn’t just Dabo Swinney’s observation—many coaches before him have praised athletes with a wrestling background, recognizing their unique skill set. As Swinney believes, Clemson has produced numerous NFL players with backgrounds in multiple sports. That’s why he always encourages his players to compete in different sports, rather than limiting their opportunities.
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