How Dabo Swinney's 2026 recruiting class revealed Clemson will be active in transfer portal
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CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney applauded his 2026 recruiting class signees on early signing day.
“These guys stuck with us in the midst of the ‘worst’ season we’ve had in 15 years around here,” Swinney said Dec. 3 with air-quotes around “worst.” “That says a lot about who they are because there’s not one person in this signing class that somebody didn’t try to talk out of coming to Clemson.”
Clemson (7-5) had its second-worst season under Swinney. The Tigers will miss the ACC championship and College Football Playoff after starting 1-3 but will play in a bowl game for the 21st year in a row after a four-game win streak.
The Tigers signed 20 players, including 10 four-stars, nine three-stars and one player who isn’t rated, to rank No. 18 nationally (fourth in the ACC) according to the 247Sports Composite. Swinney compared this class to his 2011 one that signed with Clemson after finishing 6-7 in 2010.
Who Clemson football signed
On offense, Clemson signed quarterbacks Brock Bradley and Tait Reynolds, wide receivers Naeem Burroughs, Gordon Sellars and Connor Salmin, tight end Tayveon Wilson, offensive linemen Leo Delaney, Carter Scruggs, Chancellor Barclay, Adam Guthrie, Braden Wilmes and Grant Wise.
The Tigers signed defensive linemen Kam Cody, J.R. Hardrick and Michael Foster, linebacker Brayden Reilly, cornerbacks Shavar Young Jr. and Marcell Gipson and safety Polo Anderson.
Clemson also signed long snapper Jackson Reach.
Will Clemson be active in transfer portal after early signing day?
Clemson suffered four decommitments, including one on early signing day. These losses, potentially 20 players running out of eligibility, five juniors possibly going to the NFL, transfer portal exits and roster sizes being at 105 will force Swinney to use the portal for the second straight season.
“I don’t know if we’re going to sign two guys or we sign seven guys,” Swinney said. “I have no idea because our roster is not settled.”
A potential need for Clemson is at quarterback with Cade Klubnik’s eligibility ending. Swinney expressed confidence in presumptive starter Christopher Vizzina, Chris Denson and signees Bradley and Reynolds but did not rule out adding one if anything changes from now until when the one-time portal window opens Jan. 2.
“Guys may change your decision. We could have somebody leave. I mean, we have no idea,” Swinney said. “I don’t speculate on that. All I can focus on is what’s here.”
The most transfers Clemson has added was three this season.
Where Clemson football 2026 recruiting performed well
Clemson added three capable four-star receivers with Burroughs, Sellars and Salmin. Swinney called Burroughs, Clemson’s top-rated prospect, as “good as anybody in the country.” Sellars, 6-foot-2, is a big-body receiver, and Salmin carries blazing speed.
These additions add to an already talented receiving corps: Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown. They will try to replace Antonio Williams‘ production with whoever is the quarterback.
Clemson also added six offensive lineman in position coach Matt Luke’s first full season. The Tigers are losing four offensive line starters, and other key contributors suffered critical injuries. Clemson’s offensive line was shaky through 2025, but Luke getting his players who are big and physical can improve the unit.
“(These are) six offensive linemen that are going to set the foundation for Clemson offensive football for many years to come here,” Swinney said.
Where Clemson football 2026 recruiting underperformed
The Tigers added one safety after suffering two decommitments. Anderson, a four-star from Dorman, could be an instant-impact player because of his length, playmaking and versatility.
Still, Clemson’s safeties were an issue this season, allowing numerous big plays against the pass. Adding more quality depth would have been a boon for defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s defense.
Clemson also lost two defensive-line commits and missed out on other top prospects. The Tigers signed three three-star linemen, Cody, Hardrick and Foster, who could develop into contributors, but they won’t be Day 1 ready like players Clemson landed before.
These losses could lead to Clemson filling these positions in the portal.
Will Clemson add more recruits in February?
The late signing period for high school players is Feb. 4, 2026, but Clemson is unlikely to add players.
Swinney’s team hasn’t signed a high school recruit in February since 2022, when Clemson landed eight players.
Clemson football recruiting rankings
Clemson’s 2026 class ranks No. 18 in the 247Sports Composite. It is a complete change from last year’s cycle, which finished with 15 signees and ranked 26th nationally.
Clemson’s ranking in this class ended its downward trend in recruiting since 2020. That season, it ranked No. 3. The following years: No. 5, 2021; No. 10, 2022; No. 11, 2023; No. 11, 2024; No. 26, 2025.
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: Why Dabo Swinney will use portal after Clemson signs 20 in 2026 class
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