Clemson is doing something a little different this preseason, and Brad Brownell is leaning into it.
Instead of the usual one exhibition tune-up before a season, the Tigers will play three ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Brownell broke down the schedule Wednesday at ACC Tipoff in Charlotte, and the slate includes a closed scrimmage-style game, an open matchup with a familiar high-major opponent, and a repeat date with a nearby program Clemson knows well.
The first test comes this weekend against the College of Charleston, and Brownell said the private setting is part of the appeal.
"I think [it] will be good for us," he said. "I like doing something closed, where we can manipulate some things, and you know, guys can not have to worry about a crowd and just play."
After that, Clemson will host Georgia on Oct. 23 in one of its open exhibitions. Brownell said the game came together through his relationship with Bulldogs coach Mike White.
"Mike White and I have talked over the years, and he called and said, 'Hey, they'd be happy to come if we can make it work.' We found a date; it was great," Brownell continued.
That one should draw attention. The last time Clemson and Georgia met, it was for the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic Championship last season, and the Tigers escaped with a 97-94 overtime win. Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter led the way in that one, combining for 34 points.
Brownell also said Clemson will travel to Athens, Georgia, during the 2027-28 season. He did not say whether that matchup will be an exhibition or a regular-season game.
The Tigers’ final exhibition is set for Oct. 28 against Presbyterian, another opponent that’s already familiar. Clemson beat the Blue Hose 83-44 in its only exhibition game last year.
Brownell said the connection with Presbyterian coach Quinton Ferrell helped bring that game back onto the schedule.
"Quinton Ferrell at Presbyterian is just a really good friend," the 17-year head coach finished. "He's a guy I've tried to hire a couple of times, and, you know, he called me and said, 'Hey, is there any way you'll play us again?' And I was going to play somebody like that in the second game."
"I've kind of got these other two games a little bit closer to our real game week, and so, they're an easy trip. It's right up the road.
I know his teams will be competitive and fight. You know, they've battled us in the years past, and so just a guy I wanted to play.
He wanted to play us, so I said let's do it."
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