CLEMSON — For the first time, Dabo Swinney has Clemson tapping into the transfer portal twice in one offseason.
Just one day after signing Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith, the Tigers secured a commitment on December 19 from Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt.
Smith was the first non-quarterback Swinney had taken from the portal, and Heldt becomes the first defensive player. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound sophomore recorded 56 tackles, including tackles for loss, and five sacks for the Boilermakers this season.
Heldt, a Carmel, Indiana native, adds depth to Clemson’s defensive line, which had an open scholarship spot. Swinney is unlikely to pursue additional transfers beyond these two, as wide receiver and defensive end were the only positions with available scholarships.
Clemson lost wide receivers Noble Johnson (to Arizona State) and Troy Stellato (who is undecided), while adding only one recruit, Carleton “Juju” Preston, for the 2025 recruiting cycle. As for defensive end, the Tigers had originally planned to bring in Bryce Davis and Ari Watford, but Davis committed to Duke instead.
“It’s not our typical approach, but when a need arises and we can’t address it through high school recruiting, we go to the portal,” Swinney explained during a December 18 press conference, referencing his team’s previous portal additions at backup quarterback in 2022 and 2023.
“Similarly, we’re looking at a defensive end because we lost a recruit. If he hadn’t decommitted, we’d be fine. But with the decommitment, we had to find someone.”
Swinney noted that the Tigers are in a “good spot” overall, as there aren’t many spots available. Offensive departures include senior starters running back Phil Mafah, tight end Jake Briningstool, and offensive guard Marcus Tate. On defense, the team will lose linebacker Barrett Carter, safety R.J. Mickens, and defensive tackle Payton Page.
Several players could also make the jump to the NFL, including defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart, offensive tackle Blake Miller, and receiver Antonio Williams. Despite this, Clemson has addressed most of its anticipated departures with a 15-player signing class.
The transfer portal remains open until December 28, though players from teams that reach the College Football Playoff quarterfinals or beyond get an extension.
So far, Clemson has only lost three players to the transfer portal, including safety Sherrod Covil Jr., who recently committed to Virginia Tech. Covil, a native of Chesapeake, Va., stayed with the Tigers through the ACC title game.
“He did everything right,” Swinney said. “We really appreciate Sherrod and the way he handled himself.”
Heldt will join a defensive end unit that includes All-ACC performer T.J. Parker, a rising junior, along with Jahiem Lawson, A.J. Hoffler, Cade Denhoff, and Darien Mayo. Parker, who has been highly productive with 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, will benefit from having a partner like Heldt on the other side of the line.
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