The Tigers lost 12 players to the transfer portal after last season. Here’s where Clemson’s departures are playing, and how much they’re expected to play.
Austin Hannon
For Dabo Swinney and Clemson, it's all about retention. The Tigers aren't a threat in the transfer portal, but like every other school, they lose their share of former players.
While the majority of players that left Clemson after last season wouldn't have started in 2024-25, their exits resulted in loss of extra depth, which is invaluable in college football.
Here's a breakdown of where each of the Tigers' transfers ended up, and how they're faring with their new program, as the majority of the sport begins the season next week.
DB Lannden Zanders
School: N/A
How are they performing so far?
Zanders originally stepped away from football due to continuous injuries. However, in December, he entered the portal.
He has yet to find a spot on a team for 2024-25. Zanders started 10 games for Clemson from 2019-2021.
WR Brannon Spector
School: Jacksonville State
How are they performing so far?
Spector is expected to be a key contributor for the Gameco*cks this season, earning a starting role at wide receiver. He had 38 career receptions for 372 yards and two touchdowns in six starts from 2019-2023 with the Tigers.
WR Beaux Collins
School: Notre Dame
How are they performing so far?
Collins is expected to be in a rotation of six or seven wide receivers for the Fighting Irish this season. He'll be catching passes from former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard.
Collins was Clemson's third-leading receiver last year. He had nearly 1,300 career receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, but struggled with drops in his career, as well.
DL Adam Kissayi
School: Minnesota
How are they performing so far?
Kissayi is expected to be the Gophers' third-string strong-side defensive end.
He enrolled at Clemson in December, and was in the transfer portal by late April. He was the No. 29 EDGE in the 2024 class, but had a lot of quality depth in front of him with the Tigers.
QB Hunter Helms
School: Rhode Island
How are they performing so far?
Helms is competing with former Virginia Tech quarterback Devin Farrell for the Rams' starting gig in 2024.
He was originally a walk-on for the Tigers, but earned a scholarship prior to the 2021 season.
DL David Ojiegbe
School: Pittsburgh
How are they performing so far?
Ojiegbe is expected to serve a reserve role with the Panthers in 2024, sitting behind a few veterans at defensive end.
He redshirted in his first collegiate season with Clemson in 2023-24, appearing in two games. He is a former four-star prospect from Washington, D.C.
CB Toriano Pride Jr.
School: Missouri
How are they performing so far?
Pride was listed, by 247Sports, as a top-50 portal addition in the country this spring. He's in line for a starting spot as an outside cornerback with the Tigers in Columbia, Mo.
As a prospect, Pride was the No. 6 cornerback in the 2022 class.
TE Sage Ennis
School: Virginia
How are they performing so far?
While he missed the spring with injuries after transferring in, Ennis is competing with two others, Tyler Neville and Sackett Wood, for the Cavaliers' starting spot.
Ennis had six receptions for 77 yards in four years at Clemson. He suffered a season-ending knee injury against Georgia Tech in November, and originally committed to Florida A&M out of the portal before a coaching change brought him back to the ACC.
RB Domonique Thomas
School: Ole Miss
How are they performing so far?
Similar to his role at Clemson, Thomas is expected to be the Rebels' third or fourth back on the depth chart, behind guys like Ulysses Bentley IV and Henry Parrish Jr.
Thomas originally committed to Georgia State after leaving the Tigers, but once Shawn Elliott left the Panthers to return to South Carolina, he reconsidered his options.
OL Mitchell Mayes
DB Andrew Mukuba
School: Texas
How are they performing so far?
The Longhorns are currently running four different safeties at the two positions, with starting spots up for grabs. Horns247 listed Mukuba as a second-team player on Thursday.
Mukuba said recently he 'wasn't really getting better' with the Tigers. He made 31 starts from 2021-2023, racking up 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception in over 1,700 career snaps for Clemson.
OL Zack Owens
School: Colorado
How are they performing so far?
Owens will be in a reserve role for Deion Sanders in 2024, after transferring in this spring.
He arrived at Clemson last season, appearing in two games before redshirting as a true freshman. Owens was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle — the No. 18 offensive tackle and a top-200 player overall.
