In a time where the transfer portal is dominating college sports, Clemson University, aside from the service academies, is the only school that failed to land a player through it. Despite starting the 2023 season ranked No. 9 in the country, a loss to Duke caused the Tigers to drop to 25. It wasn’t until Week 13 that they returned to the Top 25. This marked the first time since 2010 that Clemson did not win at least 10 games in a season, finishing 9-4 and beating Kentucky in the Gator Bowl. However, this offseason they have not acquired any players from the transfer portal, despite head coach Dabo Swinney acknowledging they had looked at a few players.
Urban Meyer, a legendary college football coach, has likened Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to cheating, stating that it is not the intent of college athletics. Swinney also expressed that the feeling must be mutual when it comes to transfers, implying that a player must also want to come to Clemson. While they may not have added any players through the portal, the Tigers have a solid incoming freshman class ranked 11th in the country, with two five-star recruits and 11 four-star players. Swinney emphasized their satisfaction with the current roster and highlighted the fact that 125 out of 127 players who went through spring are still on the team post-portal. Clemson is gearing up to open the season against Georgia Bulldogs on August 31.
The University of Clemson’s struggles with the transfer portal are reflective of a larger trend in college sports, where the portal has become a dominant force in recruiting and roster management. The rise of NIL deals has also added a new layer of complexity to recruiting efforts, with some coaches expressing concerns about the impact of these deals on the integrity of college athletics. Despite these challenges, Clemson remains confident in their recruiting efforts and the talent within their program, pointing to their strong incoming freshman class as evidence of their continued success in building a competitive roster. The Tigers are focused on the upcoming season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs, looking to rebound from a disappointing 2023 season and return to their winning ways.
The decision to forego adding players through the transfer portal reflects Clemson’s commitment to building a team through traditional recruiting methods and developing talent within their program. While some schools have embraced the portal as a means of quickly adding experienced players to their rosters, Clemson has chosen to prioritize recruiting high school players and developing them within their system. This approach has yielded success for the Tigers in the past and they remain confident in their ability to continue attracting top talent to their program. With a strong incoming freshman class and a roster of dedicated players, Clemson is poised to compete at a high level in the upcoming season as they face off against tough competition in the ACC and beyond.
As college athletics continue to evolve, schools like Clemson are faced with unique challenges in recruiting and roster management. The rise of the transfer portal and NIL deals has reshaped the landscape of college sports, forcing programs to adapt to new rules and regulations. Clemson’s decision to focus on traditional recruiting methods and prioritize player development within their program is reflective of their commitment to building a strong, competitive team. While some may view their approach as unconventional in the current college sports environment, the Tigers remain confident in their ability to compete at a high level and achieve success on the field. With the upcoming season opener against Georgia Bulldogs on the horizon, Clemson is prepared to show that their commitment to building a team through traditional recruiting methods can lead to sustained success in the ever-changing world of college athletics.
