Today is the day.
Dabo Swinney and Clemson welcome 15 new members to the Tigers’ football program. Yes, this used to happen in February, but the majority of players are now signing in December. Many are also enrolling early — only two members of Clemson’s class will arrive in May. The rest will be with the team in a number of weeks.
Currently, the Tigers’ class ranks 26th nationally.
There will be drama around the country today and until February, but all of the Tigers’ hard commits signed early this morning, including Amare Adams and Gideon Davidson, perhaps the top two players Clemson brought in. There were rumblings of either flipping over the last several weeks, after the Tigers’ suffered six decommitments from other talented prospects in the group.
There is a domino effect in this stuff. However, Clemson was able to hold on to some elite talent. The Tigers have just 15 in this class, but the average talent profile is still among the best.
It’s that time of year again. On Monday, the transfer portal opens for 19 days until Dec. 28. There are many players that have already declared their intentions, including wide receiver Troy Stellato, who became Clemson’s first entry of this cycle on Tuesday night.
He won’t be the only one.
Wednesday is Early Signing Day, and the Tigers have added 15 players to next year’s roster. Dabo Swinney said that he wasn’t expecting his team to lose many of its key players this offseason, but Clemson will lose nine veterans from this year’s roster, including
Barrett Carter
Phil Mafah
Tré Williams
Jake Briningstool
R.J. Mickens
Aidan Swanson
Payton Page
Marcus Tate
Trent Howard
DeMonte Capehart was recognized on Senior Day, but has another year of eligibility if he wants it.
The Tigers lost 12 players to the transfer portal in 2024, most notably Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba and Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins. Clemson has yet to bring in a single impact player since the portal originated in 2018. Perhaps that changes this time?
Time will tell…
Here’s a rolling tracker of portal entries (and maybe portal additions?) for Clemson during the December window:
DEPARTURES
Troy Stellato, WR
Stellato leaves the Tigers’ program after four years. He played in just two games during his first two years on campus, dealing with multiple injuries, including an ACL tear in fall camp before his sophomore season. His best season came in 2023 when he had 38 catches for 321 yards.
He played in nine games this season before he tore a ligament in his thumb. He had a strong October in Clemson’s wins over Wake Forest and Virginia.
Stellato will reportedly look at Florida, Louisville and Pittsburgh upon entering the portal. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining. Stellato is a former four-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“He’s been a great player for us,” Swinney said on Nov. 19. “He’s a gritty, tough, player. You hate it. I watched him for two years just [sitting] because he couldn’t play. He has battled a lot of injuries. He’s a tough kid, man. And he loves the game. I hate it for him.”
ARRIVALS?
This will be updated, as necessary.
Leave a Reply