Who says that Tigers don’t change their stripes? Certainly, it appears that Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has done exactly that this offseason.
After years of avoiding the use of the transfer portal, a practice that drew considerable criticism from people around the nation, the stubborn Swinney has corrected course and decided to utilize that critical aspect of talent acquisition. As a result, Clemson fans are in the highest of spirits.
The mood around the Tigers’ fan base jumped even higher on Wednesday when Swinney bolstered his defense by bringing in 3-star transfer Jeremiah Alexander from Alabama.
A 6-foot-2, 249-pound inside linebacker from Alabaster, Alabama, Alexander will have two years of eligibility remaining when he takes the field next fall. Clemson fans hope that when he does step foot on the field at Death Valley, he will finally realize his massive potential.
Coming out of high school in the class
Coming out of high school in the class of 2022, Alexander was the No. 18 overall player and No. 1 edge rusher in America according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He picked Alabama over Clemson out of high school. What’s more, he had offers from the likes of Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Southern California, and others.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t lived up to the hype at the college level. Playing mostly as a special teamer, he’s racked up only nine tackles in 28 career games. Still, the thought of adding a former 5-star prospect who has spent the last three years in the SEC has Clemson fans buzzing.
So too does the fact that Swinney is dipping his toe into the transfer portal waters. After taking no transfers in the 2024 recruiting cycle, a decision that was heavily questioned by Clemson fans and college football experts alike, he’s now added several impact transfers this offseason.
In addition to Alexander, Clemson has brought in 4-star edge rusher Will Heldt from Purdue and 3-star wide receiver Tristan Smith from Southeast Missouri State. Though the addition of just three players won’t put Clemson atop any of the rankings as it pertains to transfer classes, it is a sign that Swinney is starting to evolve his philosophy when it comes to beefing up his roster.
For fans of the program, any type of movement in that direction has been welcomed. In fact, Clemson supporters across the nation are now confident that Swinney’s decision to utilize the portal will lead the program back to the top of the college football mountain.
