Last offseason, really for the first time, Dabo Swinney made a small number of moves in the transfer portal.

While Swinney had added a couple of backup quarterbacks previously, this was the first example of him signing players who were actually expected to contribute. And those three additions, DE Will Heldt, LB Jeremiah Alexander and WR Tristan Smith, have been some of the hardest workers on this year’s team. Heldt has been one of the few bright spots on the defense, leading the team with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

The hope is that what was seen last offseason was only a precursor to what’s coming because it looks like there will be several holes that need to be filled on next season’s team, and we’re saying that before we even know if any impact players might decide to move on via the portal.

It starts with the most important position on the field, the quarterback. Yes, backup Chris Vizzina showed a lot of promise in the loss to SMU, but after the way this season has played out, fans don’t want to head into 2026 banking on promise or potential.

Behind Vizzina, the Tigers will still have former walk-on Trent Pearman and two true freshmen in Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley. Even if Vizzina starts one more game while Klubnik heals and looks good in doing so, that still leaves too many unknowns at a position the Tigers need to get right next season.

Clemson is also likely to need a minimum of one offensive lineman, and maybe even two, to try and bridge the gap while waiting on some of the youngsters to get fully ready.

Depending on attrition, the Tigers might need to add a running back. The hope is that Gideon Davidson and David Eziomume can carry the load next season, with Jay Haynes, Jarvis Green and Keith Adams Jr. giving you plenty of depth. The question is, are all those guys back next season? There is no running back currently committed in the 2026 class, and it’s looking more and more like the staff won’t sign one at all.

With three highly-touted wideouts committed in the current class, receiver might not be a position of need, unless you lose someone unexpectedly, especially if Tristan Smith gets his waiver for one more year. The team also looks to be set at tight end.

On the defensive side, safety will be one of the areas that has to be addressed. It has been one of the weakest links of Tom Allen’s unit. You might even need two. Help is on the way, with three safeties committed in the 2026 class, but just like with the offensive line, you might need a veteran or two to bridge that gap. This defense came into this season relying too much on inexperience at the position, and it has cost them. A veteran corner would also help bolster the backend.

If TJ Parker enters the NFL Draft, the Tigers will absolutely need another end to pair with Heldt and Jahiem Lawson. Backup Cade Denhoff will be moving on, leaving just Darien Mayo and Ari Watford as depth pieces.

If Swinney wants to get this program headed back in the right direction next season, at a minimum, he’s going to need half a dozen portal pieces added to the roster. In all honesty, that number might need to be closer to 10.

Photo by Bart Boatwright