With the transfer portal set to open on Friday, Clemson is expected to be very active when it comes to adding to its roster.

The Tigers have plenty of needs, and on both sides of the ball. Some of the bigger ones reside on Tom Allen’s defense, particularly on the backend. However, with the team already losing Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson to the portal, and Wade Woodaz now out of eligibility, linebacker is another spot at which Clemson might look to add.

Here are some of the players The Clemson Insider is tracking as potential candidates for the Tigers.

We will start with one of the newer players to announce plans to enter the portal. Cal’s Luke Ferrelli disclosed late Wednesday his intention to enter.

After redshirting in 2024, Ferrelli experienced a breakout campaign in 2025, winning ACC Freshman of the Year honors, while also garnering All-ACC recognition. In 13 games, he recorded 91 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and two pass deflections. The former three-star talent was a difference-maker for the Bears this season.

Colorado State’s Owen Long also announced his plans to enter the portal on Wednesday. Long led all of college football with 151 tackles this season, adding five tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and five pass deflections.

Long had double-digit tackles in 10 of Cal’s 12 games this season, and he hit the 17-tackle mark twice. He was a first-team All-MWC selection. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Another name worth keeping an eye on is former Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles. The two-time All-ACC honoree will have one season of eligibility remaining. Biles is fresh off one of the best performances of his career, racking up 16 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and a scoop and score touchdown in the Panthers’ loss to ECU in the Military Bowl.

Biles appeared in 10 games this season, finishing with 101 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and he scored three touchdowns.

Penn State linebacker Keon Wylie is another name to watch. Wylie has announced plans to enter the portal and has two years of eligibility left.

In 13 games this year, Wylie had 28 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass deflection. In his career, he has 47 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one pass deflection. Virginia Tech is another school that could be in play, with former Nittany Lions’ head coach now serving in the same role with the Hokies.

UConn linebacker Oumar Diomande is another potential candidate. In his first full year as a starter, Diomande posted 111 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and one pass deflection. Diomande will have two years of eligibility remaining to play elsewhere.

Bowling Green’s Gideon “ESPN” Lampron could be an option. He certainly qualifies for having one of the best middle names in the game. After a breakout junior season, Lampron earned All-MAC honors after totaling 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection.

Kent State’s CJ Young might be another name to know. Young finished with a team-best 89 tackles in 11 games for the Flashes. The redshirt sophomore was second-team All-MAC in 2025.

Kansas’ Jon Jon Kamara is another name worth monitoring. The redshirt freshman appeared in 12 games as a reserve in 2025, finishing with 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

NIU’s Filip Maciorowski is one more name worth keeping an eye on. As a redshirt sophomore, Maciorowski registered 87 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

The portal window opens on Friday and runs through January 16.