Dabo Swinney provides update on status of Clemson football transfer

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Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney provided an updated on one of Tigers’ 11 transfers from the 2026 portal class.

Defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly, who transferred to Clemson from West Georgia, is headed in the right direction after suffering a torn ACL during spring practice.

“He’s trending in a great direction,” Swinney told reporters Tuesday at Clemson‘s annual media day. “Anticipate definitely getting him back at some point. Probably not a guy that will be a full go in camp, but he’s heading into a good spot. We do think, unless there’s some type of setback, that he’s got a better-than-great chance to be back at some point.”

Kelly had 17 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, at West Georgia last season. He was ranked a three-star transfer portal recruit by Rivals/On3.

Later, Swinney was asked about the overall defensive tackle position and how “unknown” it was as fall camp approaches. Peter Woods was the Tigers’ starting left tackle a season ago before becoming a first-round pick in the NFL draft this past April.

“I’d say a big unknown, huge unknown,” Swinney said. “Guys (have) got a lot to prove. Every one of them. I think Amare Adams is as talented a guy as we’ve signed. He’s a really special talent, a great kid and a hard worker. True freshman last year that ended up having to have some surgery. He’s certainly a high-level talent, but he’s got to go prove it.

“You’ve got some guys that’s kind of now or never. A couple of guys that have been around here that they’re either going to do it now (or) probably ain’t gonna do it. Then you’ve got some guys like (Andy) Burburija, who I can’t wait to see. I can’t wait to see him as far as on the field. (Oklahoma transfer) Markus Strong, same thing. He’s eager and I really like him. That’s why we brought him here, but that whole group has got a lot to prove.”

Clemson football schedule 2026

All announced start times Eastern.

  • Sept. 5: at LSU, 7:30 p.m., ABC
  • Sept. 12: vs. Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network
  • Sept. 19: vs. North Carolina, noon, ESPN
  • Sept. 25: at California, 10:30, ESPN
  • Oct. 3: vs. Miami, TBA
  • Oct. 17: vs. Charleston Southern, TBA
  • Oct. 24: vs. Virginia Tech, TBA
  • Oct. 31: at Florida State, TBA
  • Nov. 7: at Syracuse, TBA
  • Nov. 14: vs. Georgia Tech, TBA
  • Nov. 20: at Duke, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
  • Nov. 28: vs. South Carolina, TBA

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Dabo Swinney provides update on status of Clemson football transfer

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