CLEMSON – In July of 2024, while speaking the media at the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., Dabo Swinney said, “If I took a job somewhere else, I’d be the greatest portal recruiter ever because half of my roster would be gone, and I’d have to go put it together.”

At the time it was tongue-and-cheek comment by Clemson’s head coach, as Swinney answered questions on why he refused to use the transfer portal in the new world of college football. The 56-year-old prided himself on building his program through high school recruiting and development.

While other programs use NIL to bring players into their program, Swinney has used it to retain his home-grown talent. The results have been mixed as the program dipped a little from 2021-’23.

However, it felt as if the Tigers turned the corner in 2024 when they won another ACC Championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff for a seventh time.

Coming into the 2025 season, everyone was talking about Clemson. The Tigers ranked high in player retention and were tied for first in returning production.

As a result, Clemson was the overwhelming choice to win the ACC, again, and as a media favorite to win the national championship. Everyone was talking about how Swinney’s way worked and Clemson was back among the elite.

Those thoughts were 10 weeks ago, and a lot has changed in 10 weeks.

The Clemson program has since fallen flat on its face, as the Tigers (3-5, 2-4 ACC) are off to their worst start to a season in 27 years. A program that was 59-1 at home from 2013 to 2022, is just 12-7 at Memorial Stadium since, and had lost six straight games to Power Conference foes – a first since Hootie Ingram’s 1970 and ’71 teams.

It’s ironic Swinney said he would “be the greatest portal recruiter ever” if he took a job somewhere else. Well, he does not have to take a new job, he can rebuild it right here in Clemson.

The Tigers will need a major rebuild next season. First off, guys like Cade Klubnik, Antonio Williams, Adam Randall, Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, DeMonte Capehart and Wade Woodaz are all moving on after this season, while there are others who could be on the move at season’s end.

Clemson has already lost three commitments from the 2025 recruiting class, plus there are only a few true freshmen that can be serious contributors in their first year.

What does it mean?

It means the Tigers will have to use the transfer portal if it hopes to contend in any capacity in 2026.

Swinney said, “I’d be the greatest portal recruiter ever because half of my roster would be gone, and I’d have to go put it together.”

I guess we will have to hold him to it.