Wrestlers of Clemson wrestling, take note, your time may be coming. That was the subtle but powerful message tucked within a fiery exchange between two of football’s greatest minds. On the surface, it was just a sit-down between two seasoned coaches. But buried within the friendly banter was a glowing endorsement for a sport often overlooked in football recruiting rooms.
It all unfolded on a special episode of ACC Huddle, where Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was joined by none other than the legendary architect of NFL dynasties, former NFL GM, now steering the North Carolina Tar Heels, Bill Belichick. The two weren’t there to trade war stories. They were digging into the DNA of winning, the overlooked details, and the underappreciated pipelines to greatness.
That’s when the moment dropped. “Every wrestler, every wrestler that we have signed at Clemson has become a great football player for us,” said Swinney. “Grady Jarrett was probably my top guy. He was a two-star recruit. Kay McAdams, like, this guy’s amazing. His motor, but he was a wrestling champ. And, you know, that translates,” Swinney further added. The praise didn’t come lightly, especially from someone known for setting impossibly high standards.
To him, the wrestling mat and the football field aren’t all that different. He doesn’t see wrestling as just a side hustle. It’s a training ground. It sharpens footwork, builds body control, and toughens your mind. Most of all, it fuels a relentless drive. That’s why he keeps turning to former wrestlers. Not just to fill out a roster, but to lead some of the best teams he’s ever coached. Grady Jarrett, once overlooked as a two-star recruit, became a star under his watch. Kay McAdams, he said, came in with a motor that simply never stopped. And that, he credits, to his time on the mat.
“Every wrestler that we have signed at Clemson, has become a great football player. … That translates.”
Watch Dabo Swinney and Bill Belichick talk about identifying and expanding athletes’ opportunities in the ACC Huddle Special premiering tonight at 7PM on ACCN pic.twitter.com/J51Kh1NkF0
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It was a rare moment of validation for Clemson wrestling. And perhaps a turning point. When a coach of his caliber starts championing the connection between wrestling and football, people take notice. Wrestling might finally be stepping out of football’s shadow and into the spotlight. And for Clemson’s wrestlers, that means something big: their toughness isn’t just respected, it’s helping build champions on the gridiron. Meanwhile, Belichick also listed his favorites from Clemson who went on to make it big for the New England Patriots.
Bill Belichick reveals the Clemson stars who haunted his game plans
Bill Belichick has always been known for his detail-oriented approach to scouting talent, and when it comes to Clemson football, a few names have etched themselves into his memory. While the legendary coach has seen countless players rise through the college ranks, two Tigers stood out for very different and unforgettable reasons.
At the top of Belichick’s list is defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, a disruptive force who played for Clemson from 2015 to 2018. Though the Patriots didn’t draft him, Wilkins left an impression that stuck. “Character, playing ability, all-around player,” Belichick said, praising Wilkins as the full package. He added, “He could rush, he could run, he was very good at the point of attack.” The coach’s respect came with a side of frustration-because every time they faced off in the AFC East, Wilkins was a problem. A big one. “We had a hard time blocking him at Miami twice a year, so I didn’t like that.”
On the offensive side, another Tiger Belichick couldn’t ignore was wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins made a name for himself with crisp routes and big catches in tight coverage. He was such a reliable threat that Belichick had to get creative just to slow him down. He admitted, “We double-covered Hopkins as much as any player I’ve ever coached.” That statement alone speaks volumes about the kind of challenge Hopkins presented to even the most prepared defenses.
For a coach who rarely singles out opponents with such specificity, Belichick’s praise of Wilkins and Hopkins underscores their lasting impact. It wasn’t just talent. It was the way they disrupted his meticulously crafted game plans that made them unforgettable.
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