Clemson’s approach to the transfer portal has always been more chess than checkers - calculated, patient, and rarely rushed. But as we head into January, there’s a different energy around the Tigers.
With key departures on both sides of the ball, especially at quarterback and in the secondary, Clemson finds itself in a position where strategic additions could make all the difference. And one name in the portal is already turning heads: Josh Hoover.
The TCU quarterback is officially entering the transfer portal, and make no mistake - he’s one of the most intriguing players available this cycle. Hoover isn’t just another arm in the mix; he brings a serious résumé with 9,629 career passing yards and 71 touchdown passes. That kind of production doesn’t just get you noticed - it gets you courted.
But what makes Hoover especially interesting for Clemson isn’t just the numbers. It’s the history.
He originally committed to Tom Allen at Indiana before flipping to Garrett Riley at TCU. Now, both Allen and Riley are on staff at Clemson.
In today’s portal world, those existing relationships can be the difference between a casual conversation and a serious recruitment. Familiarity matters - especially when you’re looking for a plug-and-play quarterback in a system that demands precision.
With Cade Klubnik heading to the NFL, the quarterback room in Death Valley is in transition. That doesn’t mean there’s panic - far from it.
Clemson has young talent waiting in the wings. But in a college football landscape where experience is gold, adding a veteran like Hoover could be the stabilizing force that allows those younger players to develop without being thrown into the fire too soon.
And Hoover already knows Riley’s offensive system. That’s a huge advantage.
The learning curve shrinks, the install gets smoother, and the offense can hit the ground running. Whether Clemson pushes hard for Hoover remains to be seen, but the fit is hard to ignore.
Still, quarterback isn’t the only position on Clemson’s radar. The Tigers’ most pressing needs lie on defense - particularly in the secondary, where the unit struggled mightily this past season. Clemson finished outside the top 100 nationally in passing defense, and with multiple departures, there’s a clear need for reinforcements.
Expect cornerback and safety to be high-priority targets. A few names to watch:
- Jay Crawford (CB, Auburn): A boundary corner with starting experience - the kind of player who can step in and contribute right away.
- Tawfiq Byard (S, Colorado): A physical presence and high-volume tackler who brings toughness to the back end.
- Edwin Joseph (S, Florida State): A ball-hawking safety with ACC experience who could bring range and instincts to Clemson’s secondary.
Up front, Clemson may also look to add depth on the defensive edge and along the offensive line. The Tigers are always looking for pass rushers who can disrupt off the edge, and in today’s injury-heavy game, offensive line depth is more valuable than ever.
One name already in the portal is Chaz Coleman, an edge rusher from Penn State. He was an On3 True Freshman Midseason All-American and brings long-term upside at a position where Clemson wants to build rotational depth.
Other potential fits:
- Adam Trick (EDGE, Miami of Ohio): He posted 8.5 sacks and could bring immediate juice to the pass rush.
- Christian Alliegro (LB, Wisconsin): A versatile linebacker who can blitz and cover, giving Clemson flexibility on defense.
- Connor Stroh (OL, Texas): A guard with Power Five starting experience - exactly the kind of interior depth that helps weather a long season.
On offense, Clemson could also be in the market for a perimeter playmaker. One name that stands out is Omarion Miller, formerly of Colorado. With 808 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, he brings size and proven production - a weapon who could stretch the field and open things up for the run game.
Back to the quarterback spot - while Hoover isn’t the only option out there, his combination of experience, production, and familiarity with Clemson’s staff makes him a standout. The timing lines up, the system fits, and the opportunity is there.
But don’t expect Clemson to go portal-crazy. That’s never been their style.
This isn’t about a rebuild - it’s about fine-tuning. The Tigers don’t need volume; they need precision.
A safety who can anchor the back end. A pass rusher who can tilt the edge.
A quarterback who can steady the ship.
If Clemson walks away from the January window with a few key additions - especially in the secondary, the trenches, and under center - they’ll have done exactly what they needed to do: evolve with the times without losing who they are.
And if that quarterback ends up being Josh Hoover? Well, the journey from Indiana to TCU might just find its final stop in Death Valley.