The next 24 hours might feel like an eternity for Clemson fans.

Why?

That is when the NCAA’s transfer portal window closes for college football. To be exact, it closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 28.

The Tigers, so far, have lost four scholarship players to the portal and one walk-on. Wide receivers Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson entered the portal earlier this month, as did safety Sherrod Covil.

On Thursday, defensive end A.J. Hoffler jumped into the portal. Clemson also lost walk-on wide receiver Jackson Crosby to the portal earlier this week.

With the exception of Stellato, the other three scholarship players to enter the portal were not a surprise.

In the next 24 hours other Clemson players will have to make a decision, too. Do they enter the portal or do they decide to stay at Clemson?

As you know, Clemson’s season came to a close last Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Though the Tigers hated to lose the game at Texas, there was something good about losing on Dec. 21.

By losing on Dec. 21, the transfer portal window closes for the Tigers on Dec. 28 (Saturday night). However, for those players who are on current CFP teams or teams that will participate in bowl games, there is an additional 5-day window to enter the portal once the season is over.

For example, if a player’s CFP game is on Jan. 1, they have through Jan. 6 to enter the portal.

However, the transfer portal is not the only hurdle coaches and fans have to get over. Players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft have until Jan. 15 to declare themselves eligible.

Clemson has five players that will have to make a decision on whether to come back to college for one more season or turn professional. Those players are quarterback Cade Klubnik, right tackle Blake Miller, wide receiver Antonio Williams, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and defensive tackle Tre Williams.

Obviously, several players have used up their eligibility and will be getting ready for the draft. Those guys are running back Phil Mafah, linebacker Barrett Carter, tight end Jake Briningstool, safety R.J. Mickens, defensive tackle Payton Page and offensive guard Marcus Tate.

Of course, the players are not the only ones that have tough decisions to make. Head coach Dabo Swinney also has to make a decision when it comes to his coaching staff.

The next day and weeks are going to be very decisive times at Clemson, and will go a long way in shaping the 2025 roster and coaching staff.