CLEMSON – This spring, perhaps no player received more praise from his coaches than transfer defensive back Elliot Washington II.

After becoming the first transfer portal commit to Clemson’s 2026 roster, Washington immediately impressed head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

“Elliot Washington has been by far, to me, the best guy in camp,” Swinney said after a scrimmage in March. “He’s made plays every single day. Every single day he’s made a play and he’s turned the ball over more than anybody all spring. So I’m really encouraged.”

The praise, however, has not just come from his coaches. During spring interviews, nearly 10 of his teammates also shouted out the cornerback by name.

“To be honest with you guys, I love Elliot,” defensive lineman Jaheim Lawson said. “Out of the guys that got here, we talk the most. Like that’s my guy. I’m excited for him. He brings a lot of energy to the team.

“I think he’s going to help us tremendously. I think him bringing another piece in the corner room is going to just bring a lot of more competition, just help other guys in that room just be better, and just he’s I feel like he’s going to bring a lot of guys on with him.”

Washington committed to Clemson on Jan. 5, joining Allen for the second time in his career. The first pairing between the player and coach came in 2024, when Allen was a defensive coordinator for Penn State and Washington was in his sophomore season in Happy Valley.

In three seasons with the Nittany Lions, Washington collected 53 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups in 36 games. He made one start in 2024 under Allen. 

Washington’s Clemson teammates said his comfort in Allen’s defense from the start was obvious.

“I feel like Elliot, you know, he played with coach Allen at Penn State, so he’s similar with the defense, so he’s able to come in, play fast, and free,” linebacker Jeremiah Alexander said.

“Elliot is a baller,” the senior added.

Washington is one of four defensive back transfers that Allen and his staff brought in this winter, prioritizing a bolstered group after two players left for the transfer portal, and corner Avieon Terrell was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Like several teammates who were already at Clemson, safeties Corey Myrick and Jerome Carter III also had nothing but praise for Washington, their newest peer. As the first portal signee to the Tigers, Washington even played a role in getting Carter to Clemson.

“Elliot is a dog,” Carter, a Lake City, Fla., native said. “He’s from Florida, so I knew what he was on. When I came here, we talked once I committed and stuff. He was already committed. He just told me, ‘Let’s ride. Let’s do it.”’ That just stuck out to me.”

Though he was already familiar with Washington’s game, his daily intensity in spring practice, which was frequently discussed by Swinney and Allen, caught Carter’s eye as well.

“Right now, I feel like he communicates a lot,” Carter said. “He’s playing aggressive. He is an aggressive corner, and he knows how to attack the ball. So that’s what stands out about him.”

A few minutes earlier, Myrick offered similar comments, specifically highlighting Washington’s ability to make plays in different ways, whether that is by catching multiple interceptions in one practice, or delivering a crucial tackle.

“He’s making plays every day. I mean, he’s flashing every day,” Myrick said.” Every day we’ve been here, he made plays. If that’s from making tackles, to making plays on the ball, helping younger guys out, he’s flashing in all types of ways.”

Washington got to showcase his abilities at Memorial Stadium for the first time in Clemson’s Annual Orange & White Spring Game at the end of March. The defender nearly caught his first interception in front of the home crowd in the first quarter, but just missed the angle.

After his performance, he got to tell media members for the first time why he chose the Tigers.

“Just (Allen) coming from Penn State and also coming here, it’s kind of the same philosophy is built on people,neverybody coming together and actually believing us and having like we’re all brothers,” Washington said. “We all have the same goal. So I feel like that’s what made me come here too. And then also (cornerbacks) coach Reed also, just with all the people he’s put in the League. 

“I just feel like I’m home,” he added.

Washington will get his first chance to play in a regular season game in a Clemson uniform on Sept. 5, when the Tigers head to Baton Rouge, La., to take on LSU at Tiger Stadium. 

Despite only being a first year player at Clemson, he will immediately be tasked with being a leader for the defense. And that is something he is up for.