‘We’re Going to Do It Right’: Swinney Explains Why Clemson Will Not Cut Deals for Transfer Players

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney drew a clear line in the sand Monday about how the Tigers will handle the upcoming transfer portal window. While other programs arrange commitments before players officially enter the portal, Swinney said Clemson won’t operate that way.

The Tigers coach made his position clear during a Monday press conference, addressing the reality that many of the top available players will have destinations lined up before the portal even opens on January 2.

Swinney acknowledged that some programs are already working behind the scenes, but Clemson plans to wait until players officially enter the portal before making any moves.

The portal window runs from January 2 through January 16, giving programs a tight two-week span to address roster needs. For Clemson, that means waiting until the process officially begins rather than negotiating deals in advance.

Swinney emphasized the Tigers will focus on their own approach regardless of what happens elsewhere in college football. The comments came from reporter Jon Blau on social media, where Swinney’s stance on pre-portal negotiations was shared publicly.

Dabo Swinney reiterated something today he’s said previously: He won’t “cut deals” with transfers before they are officially in the portal in January.

“We’re going to do it right … I don’t care what other people do.” pic.twitter.com/XZ87Y6HwQL

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 16, 2025

Last season, Clemson added three transfers: former Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, former Purdue defensive end Will Heldt, and former Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith.

The Tigers lost five players to the portal during that cycle, one of the lowest totals among Power Four programs. Swinney has indicated this year’s portal class will be larger due to roster needs and several decommitments from the 2026 recruiting class.

Clemson Faces Challenge of Filling Roster Spots Without Pre-Portal Agreements

Swinney’s approach, if indeed followed, will put Clemson at a potential disadvantage compared to programs that have already secured verbal commitments from players still on other rosters. The coach addressed this reality directly, noting that top players will announce commitments shortly after entering the portal.

“You know, the portal opens on the 2nd. I mean everybody’s working all these deals. We don’t do that,” Swinney said. “So there’ll be some of the best players out there. They will go in the portal and 10 minutes later, ‘I’m committed somewhere,’ you know? That ain’t how we operate here. We’re going to do it right. And we’re not gonna cut deals with people and all that stuff. I don’t care what other people do.”

The January window represents the only transfer portal period for college football this year, a change from previous seasons. Swinney said Clemson’s staff will use the weekend after the portal opens to evaluate available players and identify fits for the roster.

The Tigers will also move in their mid-year enrollees on January 4 while simultaneously handling portal visits and continuing work on the 2027 recruiting class.

The Tigers finished the 2025 regular season 7-5 and await their bowl game assignment. After that game, the coaching staff will shift full attention to roster construction through both the portal and traditional recruiting.