How Dabo Swinney transfer portal approach matches vision for keeping players at Clemson
CLEMSON — Clemson football rarely uses the transfer portal, but Tigers coach Dabo Swinney embraces how the team keeps its top talent.
The No. 19-ranked Tigers (1-1) lost 12 players in the December transfer window, which was the third-lowest in FBS behind Northwestern and Oklahoma, according to ESPN.
Among the Clemson players who decided to stick it out and wait their turn rather than transferring were center Ryan Linthicum, defensive back Kylon Griffin and defensive tackles DeMonte Capehart and Payton Page.
Each became a starter or made a start this year after failing to earn one in their initial seasons with the Tigers. Swinney was asked Tuesday about how Clemson gets players to stay when they could explore other options.
"It's not about selling anything. It's just about having relationships in place," Swinney said. "You continue to help create visions for guys, their opportunity and the value of being where they are and developing. …
"If you're starting over all the time, it's hard to get to that next level. It's just hard from a developmental standpoint because there's just a lot. If you're really starting over, in which a lot of guys do, it can limit you a little bit because you never quite get to 103 because you're always back at 101. You got to get the basics down of anything before you can really advance."
MORE: Why Falcons' AJ Terrell says brother Avieon at Clemson is 'ahead of me at every phase of football'
Dabo Swinney gives Peter Woods, Tyler Brown injury updates for Clemson-NC State
Swinney revealed defensive lineman Peter Woods and wide receiver Tyler Brown are still "day to day," but both have been practicing. Woods exited in the second quarter against App State after a Mountaineer player chop-blocked him, and Brown rolled his ankle in the game. They look to be active when Clemson begins ACC play on Saturday (noon ET, ABC) against NC State (2-1) at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers coach announced offensive linemen Trent Howard and Marcus Tate have been practicing too. Howard missed the first two games with an undisclosed injury, and Tate was held out against App State after getting hurt against Georgia in Week 1. Swinney also revealed backup offensive lineman Dietrick Pennington will be out for the season after partially tearing his ACL against the Mountaineers.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney transfer portal approach matches Clemson football vision
