Dabo Swinney struggling with Clemson, excelling in fantasy football

Dabo Swinney's family finally gave him a spot in its fantasy football league this season. Now, the Clemson head coach has some bragging rights over the relatives who questioned whether he knew enough to compete.

Swinney shared the update during Tuesday's press conference ahead of the Tigers ' trip to Florida State , offering a lighter moment as the Tigers prepare to respond to their loss to Virginia Tech.

"It's like my big Swinney family [league], and they wouldn't let me in it," Swinney said. "It's the first year they've let me be in it, you know, and I'm like, well, why can't I be in it? Well, 'You don't really know what you're doing.' They finally let me in it."

His debut has worked out well enough to inspire a joke about a possible career change.

"Maybe I should retire and be a full-time fantasy guy," Swinney said.

One player helping fuel that confidence is Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker. Swinney acknowledged that familiarity with the receiver had little to do with his decision to draft him, but he has enjoyed the results.

"I made a great draft pickup," Swinney said. "I got some guy named Tucker from the Raiders. He is killing it. He's making hay every week. I didn't know who he was."

Clemson 's actual season has provided fewer reasons to celebrate. Saturday's 20-16 loss dropped the Tigers to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in ACC play heading into the Florida State matchup.

Within the family competition, though, Swinney is enjoying his place in the standings.

"Yeah, I'm in first place in the league," he said. "So, my fantasy life's pretty good."

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