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Measuring the impact on Clemson football, Dabo Swinney of 2025 transfer portal arrivals, exits
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- Measuring the impact on Clemson football, Dabo Swinney of 2025 transfer portal arrivals, exits
CLEMSON — Clemson football landed three transfer portal players during the 2024-25 cycle, hoping each can contribute this season or beyond.
The Tigers lost five transfers in the winter cycle, the second fewest for a Power 4 program, and added the most they have ever landed in a cycle: wide receiver Tristan Smith , defensive end Will Heldt and linebacker Jeremiah Alexander . They also lost one player in the spring portal.
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Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has prioritized high school recruiting but has used the portal to fill roster needs only if the Tigers' coaches believe the player is talented enough and fits Clemson culturally. With some roster spots opening after the 2024 season, Swinney went portal hunting and came back with big gains.
"As long as we're getting guys that we think will come, buy in and develop, that's always the route we go, but if you get a gap in your roster and you have kids leave post-spring, we'll use the portal," Swinney said after Clemson's April 6 spring game.
Here's how we graded Clemson football 's portal additions and departures in 2025.
Clemson football 2025 transfer additions
Will Heldt, DL:Heldt, who played for two seasons at Purdue , committed to Clemson , choosing the Tigers over LSU and Texas A&M . He was Clemson's top transfer addition and likely will play alongside defensive end T.J. Parker .
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According to Pro Football Focus, he logged 26 pressures with Purdue in 2024, which exceeded the total for every Clemson defensive lineman except Parker. Clemson hopes he maintains his level of production to have another talented edge rusher.
Transfer Impact:High
Clemson receiver Tristan Smith (80) during the first football practice at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. Friday, February 28, 2025.
Tristan Smith , WR:Smith announced his commitment to Clemson on Dec. 16. He recorded 76 catches for 934 yards and six touchdowns last season SE Missouri State.
Smith, 6-foot-5, joins a loaded wide receiver room that features Antonio Williams , Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown . Smith had a stellar performance in this year's spring game, recording five catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, but his playing time will be limited because of the starting wide receiver trio.
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Transfer Impact:Medium
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Clemson defensive end Jeremiah Alexander (35) during the Clemson Club football National Signing Day wrap up presented by Clemson Seneca Chick-Fil-A at the Poe Indoor Practice Facility at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. Feb 5, 2025.
Jeremiah Alexander, LB: Alexander committed to Clemson on Jan. 8. He recorded eight tackles over three seasons with Alabama . He will add depth behind linebackers Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown and compete for No. 3 with Jamal Anderson , Dee Crayton and Kobe McCloud in their heavy personnel packages.
Alexander's impact likely won't come in 2025 unless an injury occurs, but he could become a key contributor for Clemson
Transfer Impact:Medium
Clemson football 2025 transfer departures
Troy Stellato , WR: Stellato announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 3 and committed to Kentucky . Through nine games and five starts last season, Stellato recorded 25 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown.
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Stellato's departure won't have great impact on the wide receiver room as he was used as a reserve in the final games of the 2024 season behind Williams, Wesco and Moore.
Transfer Impact:Low
Tré Williams , DT:Williams committed to Michigan . He recorded 14 tackles, including two sacks, and two pass deflections in 14 games, including three starts, in 2024.
Clemson's defensive tackles room still contains Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart , Stephiylan Green, Vic Burley and Amare Adams (Clemson's top prospect in the 2025 high school recruiting class).
Transfer Impact:Low
A.J. Hoffler, DL:Hoffler joined Georgia Tech in the portal. He logged 13 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in 14 games with no starts in 2024.
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Hoffler's departure may be felt if Parker and Heldt miss time with injuries or the players who rotate in for those two don't maintain their production. Hoffler didn't have statistical success with Clemson, but he is a player Swinney admitted he will miss .
Transfer Impact:Medium
Sherrod Covil Jr., DB:Covil committed to Virginia Tech in the portal. He recorded 12 tackles and one pass deflection in 11 games with one start this season.
Covil's absence won't be felt as Clemson has capable safeties, including Khalil Barnes, Ricardo Jones and Kylon Griffin.
Transfer Impact:Low
Noble Johnson , WR:Johnson committed to Arizona State after he entered the portal. He recorded three catches for 16 yards in 13 games through two seasons with Clemson.
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Similar to Stellato, Johnson was a reserve wide receiver.
Transfer Impact:Low
Tavoy Feagin, CB: Feagin committed to Ole Miss after entering the portal. The redshirt freshman appeared in two games last season and played 11 defensive snaps.
Feagin's absence won't be felt as Clemson possesses strong cornerbacks, including Avieon Terrell , Ashton Hampton, Jeadyn Lukus and Shelton Lewis.
Transfer Impact:Low
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Grading 2025 transfer portal additions, departures
