Dabo Swinney’s long-running skepticism about the transfer portal is taking a beating in Clemson’s secondary.
Three offseason additions - Jerome Carter III, Corey Myrick and Elliot Washington II - have stepped straight into starting roles and given the Tigers an immediate fix on the back end. Carter came from Old Dominion, Myrick from Southern Miss and Washington from Penn State, and together they’ve helped turn what was a shaky area a year ago into something Clemson can actually trust.
That matters because the Tigers are getting more out of the defense around them, too. Tom Allen’s group is still coming together, but the secondary is already making life easier for everyone else. It gives Clemson a steadier foundation and lets Swinney focus elsewhere, especially on quarterback, the defensive line and, as the source puts it, “unfortunately, the offensive line.”
Only a year ago, Clemson’s defensive backfield was described as arguably the worst of Swinney’s tenure, even with players like Avieon Terrell, Khalil Barnes and a less polished Ashton Hampton in the mix. This season, the portal trio has changed the feel of that unit, and Hampton in particular appears to be playing with more swagger.
The current setup is pretty clear: Carter and Myrick are starting at safety, Washington is lined up opposite Hampton at cornerback, and Corian Gipson is handling the nickel spot. That gives Clemson what looks like a legitimate strength in a defense that still has room to grow up front.
The front seven is improving, but not at the same pace as the secondary. And with no more additions coming to this group besides defensive tackle Vic Burley returning from suspension this week, the roster is largely set. That makes recruiting - both from high school and through the portal - even more important.
Swinney’s comments suggest he’s finally seeing the portal differently. He said he is feeling “absolutely” more confident about using it more, and that shift could end up shaping the rest of his Clemson run.
The source frames it bluntly: adapt or die. For years, Swinney seemed inclined toward the latter when it came to the portal.
Now, after watching three transfer defensive backs remake his secondary, he has evidence that it can work for Clemson. The question is whether he applies that lesson more broadly, especially after not going that route at quarterback this offseason.
For now, the first two weeks have done enough to move him off his old stance. Slowly but surely, Swinney’s distrust of the transfer portal is fading.
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Clemson Fans Are Watching A Familiar QB Gamble Play Out Again
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The backdrop makes it even more interesting because Clemson supporters have seen this movie before, from the Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson eras to the way those decisions shaped the programs ceiling. Swinneys latest call also comes with the reminder that the older option remains in the mix, even as the staff hands the offense to the freshman, and that is exactly why the conversation around this game feels like more than a one-week depth chart change. [Read more 🡒]