Clemson’s aggressive transfer portal surge reflects a philosophical shift that could reshape the program’s future.
For years, Clemson stood as the last major program insisting it could win big by building almost exclusively from within. That identity helped define the program’s rise—and, eventually, its stubborn slide. Now, the Tigers’ sudden surge in the transfer portal isn’t just roster maintenance. It’s an acknowledgment that college football has changed, and standing still is no longer an option.