Dabo Swinney often faces criticism for not relying on the transfer portal like other programs, but what many fail to recognize is his remarkable success in retaining the core of his roster year after year. Few teams manage to keep their key players as consistently as Clemson does.
“We’ve always been a developmental program,” Swinney explained. “The portal only really comes into play when starters leave, but if you look at our roster, we’ve seen a lot of retention.”
This rings true, especially when examining this year’s transfer portal. While Clemson lost five players, it’s a small number compared to the double-digit losses other schools across the ACC and the country are dealing with. And out of those five, only one had starting experience, but even that player was not a full-time starter.
Yes, losing wide receiver Troy Stellato, who started four games this past season, stings, but Clemson’s receiving corps still has plenty of depth, especially if star Antonio Williams decides to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL Draft. The Tigers also lost reserve defensive end A.J. Hoffler, backup receiver Noble Johnson, backup safety Sherrod Covil, and walk-on wideout Jackson Crosby.
But here’s the good news: Clemson has kept its key players. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is returning. So are defensive end T.J. Parker, defensive tackle Peter Woods, and linebacker Wade Woodaz. The Tigers owe much of this success to Swinney, the Clemson program, and the crucial support from the 110 Society — including fans who generously contribute to make it happen.
The challenge of retaining top players has only grown in recent years, especially as teams ramp up their NIL offers. But with this month’s added revenue share from a settlement, Swinney and the 110 Society increased funding to keep Clemson’s stars in place. After the Tigers’ tough loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff’s first round, Swinney was confident that most of his roster would return for the 2025 season.
With key players staying put, along with portal additions like defensive end Will Heldt (6-5, 265, two years of eligibility) and wide receiver Tristan Smith (6-5, 205, transfer from Southeast Missouri State), Clemson is poised for another strong season. Smith racked up 76 receptions, 934 yards, and six touchdowns for the RedHawks, while Heldt registered 56 tackles and five sacks in his second year at Purdue.
Swinney believes this mix of returning talent and new additions gives the Tigers a golden opportunity to take a big leap forward. “We’ve got a chance to be a really, really good football team,” he said. “We just need to build on the foundation we’ve started and grow from there. That’s my job — to make sure we do it.”
