Clemson Football: Barrett Carter’s return makes transfer linebacker addition unlikely

I have been reviewing players who have entered the transfer portal that Clemson Football could target to add to their 2024 roster.

Clemson has already offered an offensive lineman. They seem destined to add a defensive end. Fans would like to see an addition to the wide receiver room, but we don’t know for certain that will happen.

I was debating the next position group I would feature. I considered offensive linemen, but honestly, they are difficult to write about. I also considered cornerback. It seems Clemson’s numbers are lower than normal, which would suggest an addition could happen. The insiders haven’t enlightened us about plans for that position, however.

I was starting to settle on linebacker. Like wide receiver, fans seem eager to see an addition. Like cornerback, it seems the numbers are low.

Then this happened.

I have presumed that both Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter would leave early for the NFL. Trotter had already made his announcement and decided to opt out of the Gator Bowl. I just assumed Carter was taking his time to make everything official.

It turns out he was really mulling it over. Now that he has decided to return, is it likely that Clemson will pursue a linebacker in the portal?

Here are the returning linebackers per Morgan Thomas on X:

• Barrett Carter – Senior
• Wade Woodaz – Junior
• Kobe McCloud – Redshirt Sophomore
• Jamal Anderson – Sophomore
• Dee Crayton – Redshirt Freshman
• Sammy Brown – Freshman
• Drew Woodaz – Freshman

That’s seven players for a unit that has been putting two on the field instead of three much more often than they used to.

The Tigers have been leaning toward a nickel/safety hybrid like Andrew Mukuba and Khalil Barnes instead of a strong-side linebacker (SAM).

There is one more caveat: Clemson still has an open offer out to Bradley Shaw, a 4-star linebacker from Hoover, Alabama. There is a strong possibility that the Tigers will be adding him to their class.

With Shaw, that would give the Tigers eight linebackers. I do not think they pursue a transfer linebacker, even if they would prefer to redshirt Shaw and Drew Woodaz.

If Shaw selects a different school, there is a chance they could add a linebacker if the right one becomes available, but I think it would only be as an insurance policy.

That isn’t crazy. Right before last season, the Tigers dismissed TJ Dudley, who was expected to be part of the rotation. Dudley’s departure is likely why they weren’t able to redshirt Anderson.

We probably have to wait on Shaw’s decision to know for sure, but right now, I doubt we will see an addition to the linebackers from the transfer portal.