Dabo Swinney wishes he could have “finished the race” with A.J. Hoffler at Clemson.
But the talented defensive end transferred to Georgia Tech this offseason after two seasons with the Tigers, and that’s a decision that Clemson’s head coach says he respects.
During his weekly Tuesday press conference ahead of Saturday’s game at Georgia Tech, Swinney spoke about Hoffler, who joined the Yellow Jackets with two years of eligibility left.
“I think A.J.’s a great talent. I think he’s a great player. I think he was kind of on his way, but that’s a decision he made,” Swinney said. “He’s a great kid. Great mom and dad. I really love the whole family, and wish we could have finished the race with him here. But again, that’s a decision that he made, and I respect that.”
Hoffler is listed as a starting defensive end for Georgia Tech, though he has yet to play so far this season due to injury.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior played in 21 games over his two seasons at Clemson from 2023-24, including all 14 as a sophomore in 2024.
Hoffler recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore, helping Clemson to the ACC Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. He posted four tackles and two pass breakups in seven games as a true freshman in 2023.
“I think he’s got a bright future,” Swinney said.
Hoffler, an Atlanta native and Woodward Academy (Ga.) product, was rated as a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class by Rivals, 247Sportsand ESPN. He was tabbed as the nation’s No. 31 defensive end by Rivals and the No. 28 overall player in the state of Georgia by ESPN.
Georgia Tech (2-0) and 12th-ranked Clemson (1-1) will open their respective ACC schedules against one another in Atlanta this Saturday (12 p.m., ESPN).