The game at Clemson has changed.

Dabo Swinney has taken more than his share of criticism over the years for his approach to the transfer portal. The narrative has been that the longtime head coach refused to use it.

That narrative can now be considered old news. Swinney has made multiple moves in the portal since the disappointing loss to Texas in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, and each one makes his team better.

The latest addition is Alabama transfer LB Jeremiah Alexander, who announced a commitment to Clemson on Wednesday. Alexander was a 5-star talent coming out of high school and was considered by more than one recruiting service to be the top edge rusher in the 2022 class.

While he hasn’t seen the field much as a linebacker at Alabama the past couple of seasons, Alexander is still a player with a ton of upside. At Clemson, he should have ample opportunity to make an impact seeing as there are a lot of unknowns at linebacker behind Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown.

Auburn, Ole Miss and Oklahoma were the other teams showing interest. Alexander was in Auburn last Saturday but never visited Ole Miss or Oklahoma. The fact that Clemson won out here is another statement recruiting win for Swinney.

Alexander is the second major addition Swinney has added to a defense that had its share of struggles in 2024. The Tigers also added Purdue DE Will Heldt, one of the top edge players in the portal. That move addresses what was arguably Clemson’s biggest immediate need. Seeing as the Tigers beat out Texas A&M and LSU for his services, that victory is another example that Swinney can win the big boy recruiting battles in the portal.

The Tigers also added at receiver, signing Tristan Smith out of Southeast Missouri State. His addition adds a key depth piece to a room that already features Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco, TJ Moore and Tyler Brown. Standing 6-foot-5, Smith gives quarterback Cade Klubnik one more legitimate weapon in the passing game.

The three portal additions are a sign that things are changing at Clemson, and in a big way. Swinney is serious about getting his program back to competing for national titles. And these aren’t one-year rentals. Alexander and Heldt both have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Smith could have two left as well, depending on a waiver.

The Tigers had previously only taken two transfers since the inception of the portal six years ago. Both of those were backup quarterbacks and neither one played a meaningful snap while at Clemson.

While these three moves are huge for the program, Swinney still might not be done. Maybe there is another move or two that gets made in the spring portal window, but that is still to be determined.

Even still, the Tigers are now better than they were when the season came to a bitter end in Austin last month. Swinney is ushering in a new era at Clemson and anyone questioning his will to win should take notice.

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!