Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney Welcomes Hunter Helms Back As Player‑Coach Roster Addition To Fortify QB Room Depth and Culture

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson football program is adding a familiar and cherished figure back into the heart of the Tigers’ quarterback room as Hunter Helms returns to Clemson in an unprecedented player-coach capacity for the 2025 season. In a move emblematic of Swinney’s commitment to loyalty, development, and program culture, the former walk‑on quarterback will serve as both a coaching intern and emergency backup quarterback, donning jersey No. 99 and contributing on and off the field . After four seasons in orange and two years away—including a year as a starter at Rhode Island—Helms is coming full circle under the guidance of the man who shaped his early Clemson journey.

Originally a walk‑on signee in 2020, Hunter Helms quickly earned a scholarship by earning playing time and throwing two touchdowns in a single game against Georgia Tech as a true freshman, making history as one of the only pure walk‑on quarterbacks at Clemson to accomplish such a feat . Over the next three seasons, he appeared in nine total games, completing 23-of-37 passes for 218 yards and two scores, while also filling key scout team responsibilities behind Cade Klubnik and DJ Uiagalelei . Though playing time diminished as Klubnik emerged, Swinney consistently praised Helms’ work ethic, preparation, leadership and notable transformation—highlighting an offseason in which Helms dropped from nearly 230 pounds to around 212 and improved body composition dramatically during spring practices .

After the 2023 season, Helms transferred to the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a starting role and threw for 1,270 yards, five touchdowns, and nine interceptions during a historic season for the Rams, culminating in a CAA conference championship and the program’s first 10-win regular season in decades . Rhode Island players and fans responded to Helms’ contributions and leadership, and while he drew interest from other programs for a potential final playing year, he ultimately chose to return to Clemson in 2025—this time stepping into a coaching role under Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley .

That plan has since evolved: Clemson coaches and administrators opted to roster Helms once again, placing him on scholarship as a super‑senior emergency quarterback, while also officially integrating him into the coaching staff as an intern and mentor in the quarterback room . It mirrors the precedent set by Paul Tyson in 2024, who served as a student‑coach/emergency quarterback. Helms’ return represents Clemson’s creative leverage of recent NCAA rule changes regarding coaching staff counts, and it aligns with Swinney’s pattern of integrating former players such as Ben Boulware into the coaching structure .

For Dabo Swinney, the move is a symbolic reinforcement of program ideals: commitment, character, continuity, and development. Helms is not only a living link to recent Clemson tradition, but a mentor figure for the current generation—most notably Cade Klubnik, the incumbent starter poised for national recognition, redshirt sophomore Vizzina, redshirt junior Pearman, and incoming freshman Denson . Swinney’s culture has long emphasized holistic personal development anchored by faith, perseverance, and loyalty—values detailed in multiple profiles and one of the guiding pillars of his leadership philosophy .

Helms’ return is meaningful on multiple fronts. From a performance standpoint, Clemson now has an experienced depth option at quarterback for emergencies. From an organizational standpoint, he adds a trusted voice familiar with Swinney’s system and offensive staff methodologies—especially valuable during fall camp, game prep, and quarterback room responsibilities. And from a cultural standpoint, his presence embodies the Clemson ethos of growth and return: a walk-on who earned a scholarship, departed, grew as a starter elsewhere, and came back to give back as a coach and mentor.

The personal elements are equally striking. Helms is earning a master’s degree while helping guide the Tigers through spring practices and summer workouts. His relationship with Swinney is built on trust and mutual respect, and his decision to decline other coaching or playing opportunities—even from high‑profile schools—reflects a deep attachment to the program’s identity . Swinney has repeatedly underscored how proud he is of Helms’ transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and how valuable his example can be for younger players .

This move arrives at a pivotal time. Clemson posted a 10‑4 record in 2024, claimed the ACC Championship in a tight game against SMU, and made the College Football Playoff first round under Swinney’s continued leadership in his 17th year . With Garrett Riley entering his third year as offensive coordinator, and newly hired defensive coordinator Tom Allen energizing the defense, Tiger expectations for 2025 are high—especially with returning production ranked No. 1 in the nation and Cade Klubnik considered a legitimate Heisman candidate .

Helms’ hybrid role provides intangible value in team unity, player morale, and the continuity of Clemson’s system. It also gives Swinney a practical way to increase coaching support under new NCAA flexibility, allowing programs like Clemson to expand their staff with familiar, passionate, ready contributors .

Hunter Helms is expected to begin fall camp on July 31, 2025, ready to wear both a helmet and a headset, and stepping into a rare hybrid role that demands both readiness to play and readiness to teach . While game action will be limited to emergencies, his real impact will likely be felt in the quieter hours: leading drills, breaking down film with the quarterback group, providing insight into Riley’s offense, and representing the standard for future walk-on-to-contributor stories at Clemson.

In many ways, this is a story of full circle and franchise DNA. Helms walked on, earned a scholarship, transferred, returned, now serves as a coach and mentor—and still stands ready to suit up if needed. It’s a vision that Dabo Swinney has long promoted—players who buy in, grow into leaders, and eventually lead others. For a coach who values culture as fiercely as wins, there may be no greater development than bringing back someone who knows Clemson’s past, believes in its present, and will help shape its future.

The 2025 Tigers will compete in the ACC under Swinney’s 18th year at the helm. As fall approaches, the spotlight will center on Cade Klubnik, who shoulders high expectations. Yet behind the scenes, on every play and in every meeting, Hunter Helms will be quietly underscoring the message: “This is Clemson. This is what it means to belong. This is what it means to come back stronger and give back.”