How Dabo Swinney's 10 transfers have looked before Clemson football spring game

CLEMSON — Clemson football‘s transfer portal class members are proving to be valuable additions at spring practice.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney welcomed 10 transfers in 2026, his largest single-season portal class ever. This came after Clemson went 7-6 in 2025, the second-worst season in his full 17 seasons.

It was a disappointing year, but one that Clemson transfers aren’t concerned about.

“When we first got here, all we heard about was what happened last year, stuff that don’t matter to us,” said Clemson safety Jerome Carter III, who transferred from Old Dominion. “We just wanna come in and change that.”

Clemson has two more practices before its spring game on March 28 (1 p.m. ET) at Memorial Stadium. Here’s how each transfer is doing this spring.

Elliot Washington II, CB

Penn State transfer cornerback Elliot Washington II has been a standout. Swinney called him the team’s best player in spring practice after Clemson’s scrimmage on March 11.

Washington, a senior who played under Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen at Penn State in 2024, has worked his way to be a starter opposite of Ashton Hampton. His speed and physicality have shown during tackling and positional drills.

Jerome Carter III, S

Carter has also worked his way to playing with the first-team defense. The 6-foot-1 junior’s experience at Old Dominion has helped him pick up Allen’s defense quickly, where his speed, length and tackling ability can flourish.

Corey Myrick, S

Alongside Carter is Southern Miss transfer safety Corey Myrick. Both were the team’s top portal additions.

Like Carter, Myrick’s speed, knowledge and physicality have shown up in drills and Clemson’s scrimmage, per Swinney.

Both are the team’s top safeties, followed by Ronan Hanafin, for a unit that looks to improve its pass defense, which allowed 251.2 yards per game (120th nationally).

MORE: 6 Clemson players impressing Dabo Swinney in spring, including Chris Johnson Jr

Chris Johnson Jr., RB

SMU transfer running back Chris Johnson Jr. was Clemson’s top offensive portal addition. His speed and burst have shown during individual drills and he had a big gain during the team’s tempo period on March 23.

Johnson, Clemson’s most experienced running back, has spent time as the team’s starter and No. 2 behind Gideon Davidson. Johnson has added proven experience to the unit and blazing speed that could make the Tigers’ offense more explosive in 2026.

Markus Strong, DT

With Clemson losing three defensive tackle starters and injuries to the unit this spring, Oklahoma transfer defensive tackle Markus Strong has played with the first-team defense. He had a few sacks in the team’s scrimmage, according to Swinney.

Strong, a redshirt junior, added experience that the room lacked and has strong hands and movement that has helped him stand out.

London Merritt, DE

Colorado transfer edge rusher London Merritt has been vying for a larger role as Will Heldt and Jahiem Lawson are the team’s starters. Behind them, Darien Mayo and Caden Story have had moments this spring to work with the second team.

Allen likes to rotate players at all positions on defense, so Merritt, a sophomore, has to develop further to earn playing time.

MORE: Why Clemson QB Christopher Vizzina would have stayed even if QB transferred in

Donovan Starr, CB

Auburn transfer cornerback Donovan Starr has worked with Clemson’s nickelbacks. He is competing with Misun Kelley and Corian Gipson, who ended the 2025 season as a starter at the position.

Starr, a 5-11 sophomore who carries immense speed, will have to outperform Kelley and Gipson. Both have more experience and familiarity in Allen’s defense.

Kourtney Kelly, DT

West Georgia transfer defensive Kourntney Kelly will miss the spring and regular season games after tearing his ACL in Clemson’s scrimmage. He was a contender to be a potential starter.

CJ Wesley, DE

Clemson defensive ends coach Chris Rumph has been vocal with Howard transfer CJ Wesley, pointing out his mistakes during position drills and emphasizing how to improve them.

Wesley, a redshirt senior, had a strong season at Howard, a Division II program, where he recorded 32 tackles, including five sacks and two forced fumbles. Still, the talent level increases drastically in the ACC, and Rumph’s direct coaching is preparing Wesley for that adjustment.

Jaylen Brown-Wallace, WR

With Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore, Cole Turner and Tristan Smith all out with injuries or limited, Wingate transfer Jaylen Brown-Wallace has worked with the first-team offense.

The 6-2 wideout, who graduated from Daniel High School, has been more consistent than Clemson’s trio of freshman receivers: Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin and Gordon Sellars III. However, Brown-Wallace will revert to his reserve role when Clemson’s top receivers return.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football transfers, how Dabo Swinney’s 10 additions are doing