The Clemson Tigers are once again turning their attention to the transfer portal trenches, emerging as a finalist for former Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher Caleb Herring as the January window winds down.
Clemson is one of five programs still in the mix for the rising senior, joining Miami Hurricanes, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The pursuit underscores Clemson’s continued push to add length, experience and flexibility to its front seven. Already armed with eight transfer commitments in the 2026 cycle, coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have remained aggressive on the defensive side as roster evaluations continue deep into January.
Herring brings SEC-tested production and upside. The former four-star recruit from Newnan, Georgia, appeared in 17 games over three seasons at Tennessee, finishing with 25 tackles, five sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, he offers ideal edge length and the ability to operate as both a stand-up linebacker and a traditional pass rusher.
Clemson’s interest comes years after the Tigers passed during Herring’s initial recruitment, when he emerged from Riverdale High School as a top-100 national prospect with nearly 20 scholarship offers. Since then, his development has been shaped by change, including turnover on the Tennessee defensive staff that originally recruited him.
Scouting evaluations have consistently highlighted Herring’s athletic ceiling. His multi-sport background — including basketball and baseball — shows up in his lateral movement, closing speed and comfort playing in space, traits that align with Clemson’s preference for versatile edge defenders who can rush, drop and chase in modern defensive schemes.
With the portal window set to close Jan. 16, Clemson’s place among Herring’s finalists adds another layer of intrigue to the final days of roster construction, as the Tigers continue to target experienced SEC talent to bolster depth and competition entering spring.