Roster construction isn’t something Tom Allen is pushing off until the offseason. Even with Clemson still preparing for the Pinstripe Bowl, the Tigers’ defensive coordinator is already thinking about what comes next—and how to fix it.
Speaking during bowl-week media availability, Allen was candid about where Clemson’s defense stands after his first season at the helm. While there were signs of growth in 2025, he acknowledged the unit didn’t consistently meet the standard the staff expects. That reality, he said, puts roster improvement front and center—and the transfer portal firmly in play.
“To me, it’s about how do you improve your roster,” Allen said. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about that. You either improve your roster by recruiting guys out of high school, or you do it by utilizing the transfer portal.”
Allen didn’t hesitate to say Clemson will use both avenues.
“I do see us doing that,” he said. “Obviously at certain positions more than others.”
Secondary stands out as priority
One area that clearly stood out was the secondary. Clemson surrendered 250.5 passing yards per game during the regular season, a number that placed the Tigers outside the top 100 nationally in pass defense. While the group showed improvement late in the year, consistency—particularly at safety—remained elusive.
With roster turnover looming, Allen didn’t hide the urgency to reinforce the back end.
“Being able to obviously address that through the portal,” Allen said. “I just think that is an obvious thing we are going to need to do at multiple positions.”
That emphasis isn’t just about patching holes. Allen stressed that portal additions must fit Clemson’s identity—both on the field and in the locker room.
Fit matters as much as experience
Experience alone won’t be enough. Allen repeatedly returned to the importance of mindset, culture, and physical traits that match how he wants Clemson to play defense.
“We want to improve our roster to put us in a position to play the way I want us to play,” Allen said, “both structurally and attitude-wise, and mindset-wise.”
That vision includes speed, toughness, and an edge—qualities Allen has emphasized throughout the season as necessary for Clemson to take the next step defensively.
“It’s still about getting the right fit,” he said. “For the locker room, the culture, and the way you want to play your style of defense.”
No time wasted after the bowl
Once Clemson wraps up its season in New York on Dec. 27, Allen expects the focus to shift quickly. Evaluations are already underway, and the portal will become a major tool as Clemson works to reshape its defense heading into 2026.
The message from Allen was clear: development matters, but roster improvement is non-negotiable. And for Clemson’s defense, the portal won’t be optional—it will be essential.