In this new era of college football, no program is immune to decommitments. There have already been close to 300 across the country in the 2026 class alone.

Some are bigger than others, and the one Clemson just suffered was a pretty big one.

Four-star DE Dre Quinn decommitted on Thursday, the Tigers’ first of the 2026 class. It’s not necessarily a big loss because Quinn was ranked among the nation’s best. He doesn’t even rank inside the Top 350, but more so about the position he plays.

Defensive end is a position of need in the 2026 class, and Quinn’s decommitment now leaves Clemson with one player, three-star JR Hardrick, committed at the position. Hardrick might very well end up being really good, but he’s just one player.

Looking ahead to next season, TJ Parker is expected to head off to the NFL, and Will Heldt, the transfer from Purdue, could very well do the same if he keeps playing like he has to start the season. Cade Denhoff will also be gone after having exhausted his eligibility, meaning the Tigers could easily see three defensive ends gone after the season.

Whether or not the staff adds at the position between now and signing day remains to be seen. They likely will. Either way, Dabo Swinney might very well have to dip into the portal again.

Jahiem Lawson should be back, along with Darien Mayo. After that, all the Tigers currently have are Caden Story, who hasn’t seen the field much to this point, and Markus Dixon, who just moved to end in the offseason.

Lawson has been one of the bright spots on a defense that has struggled mightily in recent weeks. Mayo will be in year three next season and should be ready to contribute. Whether he is ready for a starting role is anyone’s guess, but regardless, there’s just not enough meat on the bone.

Clemson will not only need more bodies, but the team is going to need an end or two capable of coming in and contributing immediately. The kind you find in the transfer portal.

Photo by Bart Boatwright