When the college football season's over, transfer portal news takes over. Clemson fans have had to defend their coach's stance on it as a dozen Tigers entered the portal over the past two years while watching other teams celebrate new players. This season, it's a little different.
When the fall transfer portal window closed on December 28, the Tigers were one of four Power Four teams with less than five outgoing transfers. Clemson has four, with AJ Hoffler, Noble Johnson, Sherrod Covil Jr., and Troy Stellato searching for greener pastures.
Swinney isn't just retaining everyone. He's slightly changing his philosophy. He has also brought in his first two meaningful scholarship transfers. Wide receiver Tristan Smith is coming to Clemson from Southeast Missouri State, and four-star transfer defensive end Will Heldt is coming from in-conference rival Wake Forest.
The other schools with less than five outgoing transfers are Notre Dame, Penn State, and SMU. Notably, all three were playoff teams this season.