Clemson Tigers News: Florida State gets DJ Uiagalelei, Miami misses on Cam Ward and KJ Jefferson
By John Chancey
Clemson climbs in new AP Top 25
Clemson Menโs Basketball moved up two spots in this weekโs AP Poll.
The Tigers are one of three ACC teams ranked this week, along with North Carolina and Duke.
Clemson is ranked 8th in the NET and 19th in KenPom.
The Tigers are beginning the bulk of their ACC schedule with a game at Miami on Wednesday.
๐๐๐๐ค ๐: ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ
โ ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) January 1, 2024
3๏ธโฃ teams in the Top 25! pic.twitter.com/rLwjWjLFHU
Tiger alums get new opportunities
Clemson Football alum Willie Simmons has resigned as the head coach of the Florida A&M Rattlers.
๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐บ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐
โ Florida A&M Football ๐ (@FAMU_FB) January 1, 2024
Coach Simmons has officially resigned from Florida A&M as the head football coach.
๐ฐ https://t.co/JiyvDHKfLv
๐บ https://t.co/EeQTp9Kzlv#FAMU | #Rattlers | #OurTime pic.twitter.com/t9Dtl4v6HR
Some posts say Simmons is going to join Manny Diazโs staff at Duke to coach the running backs.
Simmons coached the Rattlers for six seasons and never had a losing record.
Another Clemson alum is taking up a new role in Major League Baseball.
Iโm excited to share that Iโm starting a new position as Development Scout at Pittsburgh Pirates! @Pirates pic.twitter.com/BxuZIdxOIA
โ Kier Meredith (@KierMeredith) January 1, 2024
Keir Meredith played for Clemson Baseball from 2017-2021 before a few years in the minors.
Transfer Portal Updates
A big decision has been made and it started a small chain reaction.
Cam Ward has decided to not transfer and instead enter the NFL Draft.
โฆ pic.twitter.com/RbV2bxucqx
โ Cameron Ward (@Cameron7Ward) January 1, 2024
Ward had narrowed his decision to the NFL or a transfer to Miami. The Hurricanes are now considering other options.
One option many thought might end up in Miami will instead go to Orlando. Arkansas transfer KJ Jefferson will play for Gus Malzahn and the UCF Knights.
Former Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson has committed to UCF. pic.twitter.com/jDctu3mZVB
โ Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 1, 2024
Miami continues to look for their 2024 quarterback. Meanwhile, another ACC opponent has brought in a former Clemson player.
Letโs Get to Work ๐ฅท๐ฟ!! #NoleFamily๐ข pic.twitter.com/qL93Yv8eSM
โ DJ Uiagalelei (@DJUiagalelei) January 1, 2024
Records wonโt matter much when Clemson visits Tallahassee in 2024. This game will have all kinds of attention. DJ Uiagalelei still gets a lot of attention from Clemson fans. While many wished him well when he left Clemson, there won't be many Tiger fans pulling for him when Clemson takes on the Noles.
Another interesting transfer decision: Noah Rogers has entered the transfer portal and will leave Ohio State.
Ohio State freshman wide receiver Noah Rogers has informed the Ohio State staff that he plans to enter the transfer portal, sources tell @247sports.
โ Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 1, 2024
Was a Class of 2023 top-40 overall recruit.https://t.co/I6kOsDRzGZ pic.twitter.com/fGGSNzBzjt
Rogers was a target for Clemson Football coming out of high school, as well as NC State. The Wolfpack could be another option for Rogers, who is likely looking for playing time.
dark. Next. Clemson Football: Dabo Swinney's "little more expensive" stock comment should be taken very literally. Clemson's victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in the Gator Bowl was fun, but many of the team's problems during the 2023 season were still on display for most of the game.