College Football

Analyst ranks the most important people in 2022 CFP race

Analyst ranks the most important people in 2022 CFP race

Clemson missed the College Football Playoff last season for the first time since 2015, but that doesn’t mean head coach Dabo Swinney isn’t one of the most impactful figures in the sport.

In his 13 full seasons as Clemson’s head coach, Swinney has gone 146-33, winning two CFP National Championships in the process. Coming off a 10-win season that many considered to be a “down year” for Clemson, Swinney heads into 2022 with the fourth-best odds to win his third title.

As for 247Sports’ Brad Crawford, he believes Swinney is one of the 11 most important people in the 2022 CFP race, but not necessarily because of his past success. Here’s Crawford’s justification for the impact Swinney could have based on a potential decision at quarterback and the overall staff turnover for the Tigers.

Does Clemson coach Dabo Swinney have the guts this season to yank quarterback DJ Uiagalelei if the Tigers’ passing game fails to show signs of improvement early? That could be the difference in Clemson going from a top-10 team to national championship-caliber midway through the campaign should the offense grow stale. With two new coordinators this season, Swinney embarks on a new era without staff continuity for the first time in a decade. The championship mindset doesn’t change, but subtle alterations in the game plan will be noticeable. After failing to reach the playoff in 2021, Clemson’s hopes on getting back to a semifinal game hinge on Swinney and the decisions he’ll make this fall with a talented bunch.

Take a look at exactly where Swinney and the 10 other people fall in Crawford’s rankings.

11. Alex Grinch, USC, Defensive coordinator

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

10. Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, Quarterback

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

9. Dana Holgorsen, Houston, Head coach

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

8. Kyle Whittingham,…

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