The Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns continue the first Saturday edition of the 12-team College Football Playoffs. The Longhorns host the Tigers in Austin, hailing from their defeat to the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, whereas Clemson just won the ACC.
These teams have historically fared quite differently in the transfer portal, and so with the playoff opening round kicking off two weeks after the portal opened, will either team actually be at full strength in this game?
Top Clemson Players Not Playing in College Football Playoffs
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Tigers won’t be in action in the playoffs.
Though Clemson usually doesn’t pull from the portal, they also rarely lose players to the portal as well. The game against Texas is no different.
- Sherrod Covil, S (transfer portal)
- Noble Johnson, WR (transfer portal)
- Troy Stellato, WR (transfer portal)
There are a total of just three Clemson players in the portal at this time, and only WR Troy Stellato has contributed in any significant fashion. Stellato had 25 receptions for 264 yards and a touchdown this season, his yards and receptions ranking fifth on the team.
With the talent Clemson possesses at wide receiver, however, the loss of Stellato should be easy to overcome.
Top Texas Players Not Playing in College Football Playoffs
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Longhorns won’t be in action in the playoffs.
Unlike Clemson, the Longhorns have seen more than a handful of names enter the portal.
- Sydir Mitchell, DL (transfer portal)
- Justice Finkley, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Jay’Vion Cole, CB (transfer portal)
- Tiaoalii Savea, DL (transfer portal)
- Aaron Bryant, DL (transfer portal)
- Derion Gullette, LB (transfer portal)
- Tausili Akana, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Jaray Bledsoe, DL (transfer portal)
- Johntay Cook II, WR (transfer portal)
Even with the massive influx of names here — specifically from the defensive side of the ball — the Longhorns should still be at full strength, at least from the two-deep perspective.
The eight defensive transfers combined for just 19 total tackles this season. That, and the fact that Cook entered the portal earlier in the season and hasn’t played since midway through the season, means simply that the Longhorns should be completely fine, even with that many players unavailable.
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