Clemson’s backcourt plans took a major hit Tuesday morning when sophomore guard Zac Foster tore the ACL in the same knee he injured back in December, according to a team spokesperson. He is out indefinitely.
Foster said in a statement, “I am devastated with this news,” he said in a statement. “I’ve worked extremely hard to come back and help this team this season, and to face this again is a very difficult reality.”
The setback comes after Foster had already missed all of conference play last season following an ACL tear against South Carolina. At the time, there was hope he would be ready when the 2026-27 season opened in the first week of November, but that plan is now off the table. Recovery from an injury like this generally takes at least 10 months.
Head coach Brad Brownell also reacted to the news in a statement: “My heart hurts for Zac during this difficult time. He is a special young man with a bright future,” head coach Brad Brownell said in a statement.
As a freshman, Foster flashed real promise in limited action, averaging 6.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds across 12 games. Brownell had been looking ahead to a bigger role, calling him the “quarterback” of Clemson’s offensive sets alongside junior Ace Buckner.
Instead, Buckner now moves into the lead guard spot for Clemson’s offense and was the team’s representative at ACC Tipoff last week in uptown Charlotte. The bigger question is who fills the other backcourt minutes next to him.
Notre Dame transfer Cole Certa is expected to be a key piece there, giving Clemson the kind of three-point threat it missed last season. True freshman Harris Reynolds is also likely to see more opportunities, though Brownell has typically preferred to ease first-year players into action.
There is also the possibility of fifth-year guard Dillon Hunter, though he remains unavailable to play unless a judge reverses the decision. Hunter has been practicing with the team, and if he does become eligible, Clemson would get a welcome boost in the backcourt.
For now, though, Foster’s injury pushes back what looked like a breakout season on the way in 2026-27, and Clemson has to scramble for answers.
In Other News...
Clemsons Guard Depth Takes Another Hit With Zac Foster Down Again
Clemsons backcourt depth took another blow in mid-October when sophomore guard Zac Foster learned the knee he had already rehabbed had suffered a second ACL tear. The injury was confirmed by an MRI on Oct. 12, leaving the Tigers without a timetable for his return and forcing the staff to account for another lost piece before the season even settles in.
Brad Brownell has made clear Foster remains part of the programs daily fabric despite the setback, and the guards continued involvement around the team matters for a group that has already had to adjust its plans. For Clemson, the challenge now is not just replacing minutes, but managing a rotation that was supposed to lean on Fosters development and instead has to keep moving without knowing when, or how soon, he can get back. [Read more 🡒]
Clemsons Thinned D-Line Could Finally Get A Needed Boost
A long wait on Clemsons defensive front may be nearing an end. Defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly, who tore his ACL in March, is expected to make his season debut against Charleston Southern, and Dabo Swinney said Kelly has already been taking part in competitive practice work. He is also listed as a backup on the depth chart, a sign that the Tigers are at least preparing to work him back into the mix.
For a defensive line that has had to absorb injuries and departures, Kellys return comes at a useful time. Clemson has leaned on its depth more than planned, and getting another body back inside should help ease some of that pressure as the season moves forward. Whether Kelly is ready to immediately reclaim a major role is still a separate question, but simply having him available again gives the Tigers another needed option up front. [Read more 🡒]
Clemsons Backcourt Just Took A Brutal Hit Again
Clemsons backcourt has been hit with another tough blow, as sophomore guard Zac Foster tore his ACL again and is likely done for the season. It is a painful repeat for Foster, who was already sidelined by the same injury during his freshman year, leaving the Tigers to adjust once more around a guard rotation that had hoped to gain stability with his return.
Brad Brownell and Foster both addressed the setback in statements, reflecting the disappointment that comes with another lengthy recovery for a player still trying to get his college career moving in the right direction. For Clemson, the concern now is less about one lost piece than about how to keep the backcourt intact after losing a player who was expected to help deepen it. [Read more 🡒]