Clemson added a critical interior defensive piece Monday, flipping junior college All-American Andy Burburija from Nebraska to solidify a reshaped defensive line ahead of the 2026 season.
The commitment gives the Tigers a proven, disruptive presence in the middle at a time when depth and production up front have become offseason priorities.
Clemson closes portal window with high-impact interior addition
Burburija, a sophomore transfer from Iowa Western Community College, committed to Clemson Tigers after briefly pledging to Nebraska Cornhuskers last week.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle visited Clemson earlier this month and emerged as one of the most coveted junior college defenders in the country after a dominant sophomore season.
Burburija recorded 45 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2025, earning first-team JUCO All-America honors. Over two seasons at Iowa Western, he totaled 27.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, consistently disrupting offenses from the interior.
Why Burburija fits Clemson’s immediate needs
Clemson entered the final stretch of the portal cycle seeking one more rotational interior defender to stabilize the front seven following multiple departures along the defensive line.
Burburija provides immediate physicality and pass-rush production, traits that translate quickly at the Power Four level. His junior college background also gives Clemson a more experienced option to pair with younger, high-upside defenders already in the room.
He is expected to arrive with at least two seasons of eligibility remaining, with the possibility of an additional year pending junior college eligibility review.
A winding recruitment ends in Death Valley
Burburija’s recruitment has been anything but linear. He previously committed to Washington State last fall before flipping to Kansas State on signing day, then re-entered the portal following a coaching change.
After receiving interest from multiple Power Four programs, Clemson emerged as the final destination — closing the loop on one of the most closely watched JUCO recruitments of the cycle.
What it means for Clemson
This is a program-defining portal win for Clemson’s defensive rebuild.
Rather than chasing volume, the Tigers landed a proven disruptor who directly addresses a positional need. Alongside earlier additions, Burburija helps restore balance and depth to a defensive front that will be central to Clemson’s 2026 ceiling.
It’s also another signal that Clemson’s portal strategy — selective, targeted and role-driven — is gaining traction in its first full offseason of sustained portal engagement.