When it comes to college football coaching legends, Dabo Swinney’s name is on the list. Swinney took over as Clemson’s head coach in 2009 and, since, has led the Tigers to national titles and ACC wins as well. However, if there is one thing that Swinney is known for apart from winning. It is for his resistance to the transfer portal.
While almost all programs adapted to the era of player movement, Swinney stood firm. He chose to build his team through high school recruiting. That approach worked for a while until it didn’t. However, come 2025, the winds sure did change!
Dabo Swinney and the Infamous Dislike of the Transfer Portal!
Dabo Swinney’s numbers resisting the portal are quite puzzling. In 2023, the Tigers added just one player via the portal while losing 12. In 2022, it was the same story, one in and 11 out.
In 2024, Clemson didn’t take a single transfer, standing firm as one of just four FBS programs (along with Army, Navy, and Air Force) to do so. The result of this was rather dismal.
Instead of building a strong team, Swinney was left with a roster that had no flexibility and depth. And no doubt, this cost them in key moments. But here’s where things get interesting! Turns out Swinney has never actually said he’s against the portal. Speaking to On3’s Ari Wasserman and Andy Staples, he set the record straight.
Dabo Swinney on the Transfer Portal:
“We’re not against the portal… Everybody just likes to make up their own stories and narratives and they like to get a bunch of clicks and all that, but in the meantime, we just keep winning.” 💯 pic.twitter.com/WPhOgPESdw
— On3 (@On3sports) March 11, 2025
“We just do what’s best for Clemson. We’ve always done that, year in and year out.” He went on to add, “You can’t have the highest graduation rate in America and be top in retention while also signing a million portal guys. Something’s gotta give somewhere. We’re not against the portal. We’ve used the portal three out of the last four years.”
And in 2025, Clemson finally leaned into the portal in a way that felt, quite un-Swinney-like.
The Tigers went on to add three key transfers. This includes Jeremiah Alexander from Alabama, Will Heldt from Purdue, and wide receiver Tristan Smith from Southeast Missouri State. This is not about simply adding names but about needs!
So, What Exactly Changed to Cause This Rather Drastic Move?
Well, the pressure perhaps tops the list. Clemson had missed the College Football Playoff for three straight years. Despite winning the ACC in 2024, it just wasn’t enough.
As Dabo Swinney himself puts it, “We’ve just signed what we need. The portal is a great tool.” It doesn’t sound like Clemson will be turning into a transfer-heavy program anytime soon. However, they’re no longer sitting on the sidelines either.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Dabo Swinney might not have been the biggest fan of the transfer portal. But in 2025, it is not about his ideals but Clemson winning. And if history is testimony, when Swinney adapts, Clemson wins.
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