Tampering in College Football: Clemson, Ole Miss, and the Growing Crisis of the Transfer Portal Era
It started with a press conference and a name.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney didn’t just hint at tampering-he pointed the finger directly at Ole Miss. That move, bold and rare in a sport where most coaches keep their grievances behind closed doors, has ignited a conversation that’s been simmering beneath the surface of college football for years: tampering with players still on rosters.
And now, with players like Virginia Tech’s Kemari Copeland stepping forward to share their own experiences, the issue is no longer just a rumor whispered among insiders-it’s out in the open.
A Text Message and a Turning Point
Copeland, a third-team All-ACC defensive tackle, didn’t just hear about tampering-he lived it. In a nearly two-minute video posted to social media, he shared a message he received mid-season. The text, which he chose to keep anonymous, opened with a simple greeting and followed with a not-so-subtle offer: a minimum dollar amount-redacted in the video-if he entered the transfer portal in the fall.
This wasn’t during the offseason. It was eight weeks into the regular season, just four weeks after Virginia Tech had fired head coach Brent Pry.
Copeland recalled seeing someone in the stands at Lane Stadium wearing another team’s gear-someone who didn’t belong. At the time, it felt strange.
In hindsight, it felt like scouting.
The message continued: “Not sure if you’ve even thought about the transfer portal, but would love to connect with you and your folks about the opportunity this week if you have some availability.”
That’s not just a recruiting pitch-it’s a direct violation of NCAA rules.
Dabo’s Call-Out and the Fallout
Swinney’s decision to name Ole Miss as the offending party brought the issue to a national stage. In a sport where “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying” has become a cynical mantra for some, Swinney’s move stood out.
He’s received both praise and criticism. Some, like SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum, dismissed him as “whiny” and “out of touch.” But others, including former Georgia star and ESPN analyst David Pollack, saw Swinney’s comments as empowering-giving other coaches and players the courage to speak up.
And they have.
Fresno State, according to a report, has submitted evidence to the NCAA of Ole Miss tampering with wide receiver Josiah Freeman. That evidence reportedly includes screenshots of text messages, echoing Copeland’s experience.
The NCAA’s Response: A Slow Grind
The NCAA hasn’t ignored the noise. Vice president of enforcement Jon Duncan confirmed the organization is investigating credible allegations of tampering and expects full cooperation from all parties involved.
But what does “credible” mean in this context? And what does “cooperation” look like when the rules are murky and the accountability is minimal?
Over the past year, the NCAA says it has processed 90 cases of tampering. But the outcomes? Few and far between.
The penalties that have been handed down have been relatively light. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz sat out one game in 2024 for premature contact with quarterback Cade McNamara.
Arkansas State was put on probation in 2025 and lost recruiting days after an assistant reached out to a Division II player before he hit the portal. And in basketball, Kevin Willard served a self-imposed suspension in 2019 for tampering, only to see his former assistant Shaheen Holloway lead Saint Peter’s to the Elite Eight in 2022.
If there’s a message being sent, it’s this: The consequences don’t outweigh the potential rewards.
The Bigger Picture: A Broken System?
The Clemson-Ole Miss situation may be the flashpoint, but it’s far from isolated. Coaches across the country are operating in a chaotic environment where the rules are unclear and enforcement is inconsistent.
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh didn’t mince words when asked about tampering this week: “The truth is, right now, there aren’t any [rules]. You operate ethically with what you feel is right.”
That’s a dangerous place to be in a sport built on competition. When one program plays by the book and another doesn’t, the results can be lopsided-and the temptation to bend the rules becomes harder to resist.
Clemson athletic director Graham Neff put it bluntly: “We need to look real hard at how we got here. But how do we get out of it?”
That’s the million-dollar question. And right now, there’s no clear answer.
Legal Battles and Legislative Limbo
Neff referenced legislation in Washington, D.C., aimed at giving the NCAA antitrust protection-a move that could help clarify the rules and give the association more teeth when it comes to enforcement. But the road ahead is complicated.
One major sticking point is whether student-athletes should be considered employees-a legal and philosophical debate that could reshape the entire structure of college athletics.
Meanwhile, the College Sports Commission (CSC), created in the wake of the House settlement, is trying to bring order to the chaos. The CSC wants schools to sign a participation agreement that would give it authority to oversee revenue-sharing and NIL compliance. But many schools, including Clemson, are holding off, waiting for revisions after the original draft drew pushback.
The attorney general of Texas, for example, objected to provisions that would fine schools or impose postseason bans if they cooperated with lawsuits against the CSC.
“We’re eager to receive that and support its intent,” Neff said. “But there’s yet to be execution there.”
What Comes Next?
Clemson hasn’t ruled out legal action against Ole Miss. But even if they pursue that route, the broader question remains: Will any of this actually change the behavior of coaches and programs?
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is skeptical.
“You’re gonna have to drive a little slower because there are rules,” he said. “But if there were no police officers, would you adhere to stop signs? … If you’re not scared of getting a fine or a ticket, you’re gonna go faster.”
And that’s the heart of the issue. Until the consequences outweigh the benefits, tampering will continue to be a part of the game.
Coaches will keep pushing the boundaries. Programs will keep chasing talent.
And fans will keep wondering where the line is-and who, if anyone, is actually enforcing it.
In the meantime, Swinney’s stand may not fix the system. But it’s forcing the conversation. And in a landscape where silence has often been the norm, that’s at least a start.