Clemson Tigers Transfer Portal Update: Two New Commitments on Wednesday

The Clemson Tigers and the NCAA Transfer Portal

The NCAA transfer portal opens for college football on January 2, but players across the country have already started to announce their intentions to enter. For the Clemson Tigers, this is a critical time as they look to rebuild their roster after a challenging season.

Clemson will be using the portal to fill position needs following a strong number of seniors and players who are heading to the NFL Draft. Head coach Dabo Swinney has already begun working on the Early Signing Period, aiming to build a stronger team for next season. The goal is to return to the College Football Playoff and reclaim their position at the top of the ACC after finishing with a 7-5 record, one of the worst in Swinney’s tenure.

With a tough Week 1 matchup against LSU, Swinney is looking to hit the ground running quickly. He has expressed interest in adding more quality players through the portal, potentially surpassing the three experienced players he brought in last season.

Incoming Transfers

Clemson has already secured several key transfers, adding depth and experience to their roster:

Safety Jerome Carter III – Committed to Clemson, transferring from Old Dominion. Carter finished 2025 with 76 tackles, six interceptions, and 2.5 tackles for a loss. He is expected to start next season and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Linebacker Luke Ferrelli – Committed to Clemson, transferring from California. This past season, he recorded 91 tackles, a sack, five tackles for loss, and an interception, earning the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Cornerback Elliot Washington II – Committed to Clemson, transferring from Penn State. The junior recorded 53 tackles, nine pass defenses, and two interceptions. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Outgoing Transfers

Several Clemson players have also announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities:

Offensive Lineman Rowan Byrne – Entered the portal after playing only two snaps in one game during the 2025 season. He was redshirting and has four years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive Tackle Champ Thompson – Entered the portal after recording six total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack over two years. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Safety Ricardo Jones – A third-team All-ACC selection, he finished with six interceptions and 39 total tackles. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive End Markus Dixon – Switched positions from tight end to defensive end. He played only 12 snaps this season and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive Lineman Stephiylan Green – A co-starter on the defensive line, he finished the season with 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive Lineman Caden Story – Announced his intention to enter the portal, having recorded 10 total tackles over his career. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Tight End Josh Sapp – A reserve tight end with two starts, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Cornerback Michael Mankaka – A former walk-on, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Safety Rob Billings – Recorded seven tackles in three seasons with the team. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Quarterback Cade Trotter – A freshman quarterback who walked on at the beginning of the season. He will have four years of eligibility remaining elsewhere.
Linebacker Jamal Anderson – Appeared in only four games this season, totaling just 5 tackles.
Defensive Back Khalil Barnes – Had 61 tackles and four interceptions in 2024, but his numbers dropped in 2025. He started 23 of 24 games over the last two years.
Running Back Keith Adams Jr. – A reserve running back over the last four seasons, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Linebacker Dee Crayton – A redshirt sophomore, he finished with five total tackles this season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive Back Shelton Lewis – Entered the portal after sitting out the remainder of the season to keep his year of eligibility. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Summary of Players Leaving

RB Keith Adams Jr., Senior
DB Khalil Barnes, Junior
DB Shelton Lewis, Junior
LB Dee Crayton, Sophomore
LB Jamal Anderson, Junior
S Rob Billings, Sophomore
QB Cade Trotter, Freshman
CB Michael Mankaka, Junior
TE Josh Sapp, Junior
DL Caden Story, Junior
DL Stephiylan Green, Sophomore
DE Markus Dixon, Sophomore
S Ricardo Jones, Sophomore
DT Champ Thompson, Freshman
IOL Rowan Byrne, Freshman

Continued Coverage

Clemson Tigers on SI will continue to provide consistent coverage over the course of the offseason. Stay tuned for more decisions when they come.

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