Clemson softball made a significant offseason move on Friday, landing its first transfer portal addition in former Florida Atlantic shortstop Kiley Channell. The rising junior officially announced her commitment to the Tigers, giving head coach John Rittman and his staff a major boost in the infield and at the plate.
Channell is one of the more highly regarded players to enter the portal this offseason. Rated a four-star transfer by Softball America, she arrives in Tigertown with two years of eligibility and an impressive track record of production. Over two seasons at FAU, she established herself as one of the American Athletic Conference’s premier players and a consistent offensive threat.
As a sophomore in 2024, Channell batted .330 with an .851 OPS and a stellar .464 on-base percentage. She racked up 59 runs scored, 44 RBIs, 14 doubles, two home runs, and two triples, while also swiping four bases. Perhaps most impressively, she struck out just 11 times in 179 at-bats, showcasing elite contact skills and plate discipline. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-AAC Second Team.
Channell made an immediate impact during her freshman campaign in 2023. She hit .333 with 19 doubles, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of .897, earning her AAC Freshman of the Year honors. That season, she helped set the tone for the Owls’ success and quickly emerged as one of the most promising young shortstops in the country.
Her presence on the field was felt beyond just the stats. In addition to her offensive production, Channell brought consistency and leadership to the middle infield. She was a two-year starter at shortstop and played a crucial role in helping FAU capture the AAC regular season title in 2024. In a key late-season matchup, she recorded a program-record five hits to help clinch the championship.
Clemson fans may already be familiar with Channell’s name. Earlier this spring, she homered against the Tigers in a 6-2 FAU victory—one of Clemson’s more surprising losses of the year. FAU would go on to compete in the NCAA Gainesville Regional, finishing its season with momentum and national recognition.
Channell’s decision to transfer comes as Clemson looks to retool its roster after a season of ups and downs. The Tigers lost several key contributors to graduation and the transfer portal, creating openings in both the lineup and the infield. Channell fills both needs. Her versatility, power, and ability to get on base make her an ideal fit for a Clemson program looking to return to national prominence.
For Clemson, the addition of a proven shortstop with high-level postseason experience is a major win. The Tigers have consistently recruited well since the program’s inception and have become a national contender under Rittman’s leadership. Bringing in a player of Channell’s caliber adds depth, experience, and reliability to the roster—and her proven success in big moments could make a difference come tournament time.
This move also reinforces Clemson’s growing presence and competitiveness in the transfer portal. As college softball continues to evolve, programs that can effectively balance recruiting and portal strategy will have a clear advantage. The Tigers wasted no time getting a head start.
With two years of eligibility and a track record of consistency, Kiley Channell is poised to make an immediate impact at Clemson. Whether it’s turning a double play or delivering in the clutch at the plate, she brings the kind of game-changing ability that could help lead the Tigers deeper into the postseason in 2025 and beyond.
