Clemson is set to lose a familiar name from its linebacker room as Jamal Anderson, the son of a former NFL All-Pro, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
The Clemson Insider has confirmed Anderson’s intention to transfer. This year’s only portal window for college football runs from Jan. 2–16, giving the junior a short but defined period to find his next stop.
Limited role in 2025 season
Anderson, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker, saw action in four games this season and made one start. He opened the year with three tackles, including one for loss, in Clemson’s season opener against LSU. He followed with three more tackles vs. Troy, added a tackle for loss at Georgia Tech and recorded one tackle against Syracuse.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Anderson had been credited with 15 tackles (one for loss), one sack and a blocked punt in 123 defensive snaps over 27 career games (one start) from 2023–24.
NFL bloodlines and blue-chip pedigree
Anderson carries a recognizable name. He is the son of former Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson, who lettered at Utah in 1992–93 before an eight-year NFL career that included four 1,000-yard seasons and first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 1998.
The younger Anderson committed to Clemson in June 2022 and enrolled in January 2023. A standout at Mill Creek High School (Ga.), he was ranked as the No. 128 overall player in the 2023 class by ESPN, which also listed him as the No. 8 prospect in Georgia and the No. 12 outside linebacker nationally.
Now, he’ll look to tap into that pedigree and potential at a new program as Clemson prepares for more roster churn in the portal era.