Clemson football is no longer sitting out the transfer portal.
After years of measured restraint, the Tigers have emerged as one of college football’s most active programs this cycle, earning a spot on ESPN’s list of the hottest teams in the transfer portal. The recognition comes as Clemson has added 10 transfers—nine on defense and one on offense—marking the largest portal class of the Clemson Tigers era.
The lone offensive addition so far arrived Sunday, when SMU running back Chris Johnson committed, giving Clemson its first portal skill player of the cycle. The real volume, however, has come on defense, where head coach Dabo Swinney has aggressively rebuilt depth and experience following a 7–6 season.
Clemson’s defensive haul includes former Colorado defensive lineman London Merritt, Oklahoma lineman Markus Strong, West Georgia edge rusher Kourtney Kelly and Howard standout CJ Wesley. Linebacker Luke Ferrelli, a transfer from California, headlines the group after an ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign as a redshirt freshman.
The secondary has also been overhauled with portal additions Elliot Washington (Penn State), Jerome Carter (Old Dominion), Corey Myrick (Southern Miss) and Donovan Starr (Auburn). In total, Clemson’s 10 portal additions more than triple last year’s total of three and represent a clear philosophical shift.
That change did not go unnoticed by ESPN. College football analyst Max Olson credited Clemson for leaning into the portal after previous success with a smaller transfer class a year ago.
“Let’s give credit where credit is due,” Olson wrote. “The trio of transfers he brought in a year ago all paid off and started games this season. Now, the Tigers are fully going for it this year, signing a strong group of defensive contributors to help get things fixed after a disappointing season.”
Clemson joined programs such as Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Penn State, Indiana, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and ACC rival California on ESPN’s list—an uncommon grouping for a program long defined by roster continuity and internal development.
For Clemson, the message is clear: the Tigers are no longer watching the portal reshape the sport from the sidelines.