Clemson denies inquiring about SEC membership

Clemson denied a rumor Monday that it reached out to the SEC to gauge the possibility of becoming a member.

"There is no truth to the report that Clemson University has been in contact with the Southeastern Conference regarding membership," a spokesperson told The Athletic's Grace Raynor.

The rumor linked both Clemson and Florida State - two staples of the ACC - to a conference already set to add Oklahoma and Texas in 2025. The SEC is widely considered the top football conference in the nation, and football drives more revenue than any other sport in college athletics.

The Tigers have dominated the ACC gridiron recently, winning six straight conference championships from 2015-20. They've also captured two national titles over that time.

Various theories regarding conference alignment have circulated since news leaked that Oklahoma and Texas are preparing to exit the Big 12 for the SEC, including the idea that commissioner Greg Sankey's league could add Clemson, Florida State, and Notre Dame to create a super conference.