Clemson Football’s Roster Faces Crucial Gaps: Dabo Swinney Must Target Key Talent in Spring Transfer Portal to Bolster Depth at Wide Receiver, Offensive Line, and Cornerback Ahead of the 2025 Season’s High-Stakes Campaign
Clemson football heads into the 2025 season with plenty of optimism, but also some serious concerns that must be addressed if the Tigers want to compete for an ACC title and potentially return to the College Football Playoff. Head coach Dabo Swinney finds himself at a crossroads this spring, with roster depth being tested at several critical positions. The emergence of the spring transfer portal presents an opportunity for Clemson to plug key holes and reinforce a roster that still has championship potential — but only if the right moves are made quickly.
Three positions stand out as particularly thin: wide receiver, offensive line, and cornerback. These aren’t just secondary concerns; they’re positions that directly influence the success or failure of a team over the course of a grueling season. Depth, talent, and experience are needed — and fast.
At wide receiver, Clemson has talent, but not enough proven production. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued this group in recent seasons, and while young players like Tyler Brown and Noble Johnson have shown flashes, the Tigers lack a go-to alpha receiver who can stretch the field and command attention from defenses. Swinney and his staff need to find a veteran presence in the portal — someone who brings leadership and reliability, ideally with Power Five experience — to help quarterback Cade Klubnik elevate the passing game.
The offensive line situation might be even more urgent. Clemson lost key pieces from last year’s group, and while there are some promising returners and incoming freshmen, the line lacks both depth and proven versatility. Injuries are inevitable over a 12-game season, and the Tigers can’t afford to be caught short-handed in the trenches. Targeting experienced linemen, especially interior players who can rotate and stabilize protection, should be a top priority. A single injury could expose this group if help isn’t brought in.
Then there’s cornerback — a position Clemson has historically developed well but now finds itself dangerously thin at. The Tigers lost several players to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, leaving them with untested youth and minimal experience in a pass-heavy ACC. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin needs reinforcements to keep his unit competitive. Bringing in one or two veteran corners from the portal who can contribute immediately would help solidify the back end of the defense and add flexibility to the secondary.
The challenge for Swinney is that he has long been conservative with his use of the transfer portal compared to other top programs. But in today’s college football landscape, adapting is necessary. The portal is not just for desperate teams — it’s a tool for reloading, and Clemson needs to embrace that reality if it wants to stay in the national conversation.
The 2025 campaign has high stakes. The expanded 12-team playoff makes the postseason more accessible, but only for teams that are deep, healthy, and consistent. Clemson has a strong core, but that alone won’t be enough. The spring transfer portal is open — and it’s time for Swinney to make aggressive, strategic moves to ensure his team is ready for the battles ahead.
