Dabo Swinney and the rest of the Clemson football program have hit the ground running in the transfer portal.
As we sit just a week-plus removed from the 38-24 defeat to the Texas Longhorns in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, the Tigers have seen players both enter and exit the program. Heading into the new year, let’s take a look at the moves that have gone down so far.
Transfer Portal Additions:
EDGE Will Heldt
Previous school: Purdue
2024 stats: 37 tackles, 5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss
Transfer rating: 4-star
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
This was the move that got the country buzzing about Dabo Swinney’s great start to the offseason. Heldt was one of the few bright spots on a Purdue team that was arguably the worst in the Power Four conferences in 2024. Five sacks, along with 10 tackles for loss, made him a valuable player in the portal. It should also make him a strong Robin to T.J. Parker’s Batman.
Beating out teams like Texas A&M and LSU, who were also after Heldt, makes a statement in my opinion. Clemson has begun to dip its toes into the water that is the transfer portal, and they aren’t going after small fish. They’re going after some of the best players in the country, a sign of a change in mentality for how the team intends to roster-build moving forward.
WR Tristan Smith
Previous school: Southeast Missouri State
2024 stats: 76 receptions, 934 yards, 6 touchdowns
Transfer rating: 3-star
Eligibility remaining: 1 year
A bigger target at 6-foot-5, Smith comes up from the FCS level after competing in the 2024 FCS playoffs with the Redhawks. The LaGrange, Georgia native played his first two seasons of college football at Hutchinson Community College, before moving up. He was a big play threat for SEMO throughout the season, tallying 40 catches of 10 or more yards. His 934 receiving yards ranked 30th among FCS receivers.
Though the Redhawks came up short in their opening-round game of the playoffs against Illinois State, Smith did his part, recording 139 yards receiving on 10 catches, including a nine-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Ideally, Smith fits into a talent-rich room with the still-developing Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, alongside veteran Antonio Williams. The first receiver added through the portal under Dabo Swinney, he’ll be an intriguing piece of the offense heading into spring ball.
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR Troy Stellato
2024 stats: 26 receptions, 266 yards, 1 touchdown, 11 rushing yards
Destination: Undecided
This departure might be the most understandable for the Tigers. Stellato, who missed significant time due to injury during his career, played four seasons at Clemson before moving on. Searching for more playing time as a top option in an offense, he’ll have two seasons of eligibility left.
S Sherrod Covil Jr.
2024 stats: 12 tackles, 1 pass defended
Destination: Virginia Tech
Covil stays in the ACC with the Hokies, seeking a new role in a defense that’s run by defensive-minded head coach Brent Pry. After making just one start in the 2024 season (at Florida State), he’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.
EDGE A.J. Hoffler
2024 stats: 12 tackles
Destination: Undecided
With two years of eligibility left, Hoffler looks for a fresh start. After being buried behind elite pass rushers T.J. Parker and Jahiem Lawson on the depth chart, the former four-star recruit will aim for a starting spot.
WR Noble Johnson
2024 stats: 3 receptions, 16 yards
Destination: Arizona State
Johnson looks for more playing time away from Clemson after catching just three passes in nine games this season. He took a redshirt season in 2023, but his path to substantial playing time didn’t materialize. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility remaining with Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils.
