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Dabo Swinney explains why Clemson has more transfer portal additions in 2025 than other seasons combined
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- Dabo Swinney explains why Clemson has more transfer portal additions in 2025 than other seasons combined
CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney noticed the transfer portal talk around Clemson football changed this offseason.
The Tigers have landed three transfers for Clemson's 2025 roster so far: Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith , Purdue defensive lineman Will Heldt and Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander . These additions are more than what they have taken in the previous six years of the portal's existence (two).
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Swinney reiterated Clemson has used the portal in the past despite being one of four FBS schools to not add a transfer last season, and added its use of it still depends on roster availability and need.
"The crazy thing is we signed a portal guy three out of the last four years," Swinney said Wednesday. "As I always said, we do what's best for Clemson, and I've always said we'll use the portal whenever we need it, and we'll be strategic with it."
Clemson retained all of its end-of-year starters who have eligibility remaining but needed to fill holes on its roster as it prepares for the 2025 season. Swinney said the Tigers pursed Heldt because four-star edge rusher Bryce Davis , flipped his commitment to Duke in August and four-star signee Ari Watford tore his ACL. Depth defensive lineman A.J. Hoffler also entered the transfer portal .
With wide receivers Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson entering the portal, Clemson targeted 6-foot-5 Smith. Swinney added since there were not high-end high school recruits available in December at wide receiver and defensive lineman, he used the portal to fill needs.
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Swinney added Alexander popped up on Clemson's radar when he entered the portal on Jan. 3. Initially, the Tigers were going to wait until May to fill their linebacker need, but Alexander, who they recruited out of high school, became available.
Swinney said Clemson's focus is still on recruiting and developing players out of high school.
"Our process is still the same. We're gonna recruit high school kids as long as we can get the best of the best — as long as we can go get the Gideon Davidsons of the world, Sammy Browns of the world, the T.J. Parkers, Peter Woods and Cade Klubniks," Swinney said.
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"If we have a situation, and we have a gap in our roster or we have kids that leave that all of a sudden create a gap, then you have to address that."
Dabo Swinney on DeMonte Capehart 's status for 2025 season
Clemson is awaiting the status of one more player for the 2025 roster - defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart. He is awaiting the ruling on an NCAA waiver claim to have a sixth year of eligibility.
Capehart, who recorded 21 tackles over 11 games and six starts this season, is attempting to get his 2021 season back when he played 20 snaps over five games. Swinney said Capehart is training at Clemson and is enrolled in school, and he is "hoping for some good news."
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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: Dabo Swinney explains heavier use of transfer portal
