Former Clemson linebacker TJ Dudley, who now goes by TJ Dottery, spent the first year of his college career playing for Dabo Swinney in 2022. He then transferred to Ole Miss and spent the last three years there, before transferring again and following Lane Kiffin to LSU ahead of the 2026 season.

Though Dottery is now at his third school, he says his relationship with Swinney has endured and stood the test of time, and he looks back fondly on his time at Clemson. According to Dottery, he could still pick up the phone today and have a conversation with Clemson’s longtime head coach.

“I had a great time at Clemson,” Dottery said this week from SEC Media Days. “Built some great relationships with coaches and staff. I can even call Coach Swinney now. We can talk right now. He’s awesome.”

Ironically, Dottery’s first game with the LSU Tigers will come against his old Tigers, as Clemson and LSU are preparing to face each other in a highly anticipated matchup to open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 in Baton Rouge, La. (7:30 p.m., ABC).

It’s a rematch of the 2025 season opener that saw LSU defeat Clemson, 17-10, at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Dottery discussed some of the qualities that he knows LSU can expect Swinney’s team to bring into this year’s game.

“A disciplined team, especially under coach Swinney — a disciplined, well-rounded team full of talent,” he said. “And, of course, some of the guys that played [at LSU] last year — a lot of returning guys, played them last year, so they know what to look for. But just another opportunity to play football, man. I’m excited.”

While he will be playing against one of his former teams, Dottery believes he’ll be able to keep his emotions in check come kickoff.

“I don’t think the emotions will be too high,” Dottery said. “Just another opportunity to play football.”

During Dottery’s lone year at Clemson, he recorded two tackles in 16 defensive snaps over four games while redshirting. He originally entered the transfer portal in 2023 after Clemson made the decision to dismiss him due to a violation of team rules.

After transferring to Ole Miss, Dottery sat out the 2023 regular season due to NCAA transfer rules at the time but gained eligibility for the postseason and made his Ole Miss debut against Penn State in the Peach Bowl, recording two tackles with one quarterback hurry.

In 2024, Dottery started 12 games for the Rebels and ranked second on the team with 76 total tackles, while adding 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

As a redshirt junior in 2025, the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder led the SEC with 98 total tackles while starting all 15 games. He also tallied 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles.

A three-time all-state selection at Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic Preparatory School, Dottery was credited with 381 tackles (59 for loss), 10.5 sacks, seven interceptions, seven pass breakups and seven touchdowns in his prep career.

Dottery enrolled at Clemson as a four-star prospect in the summer of 2022. He was the No. 22 linebacker nationally and the No. 227 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite.

Former Clemson linebacker TJ Dudley, now TJ Dottery, during pregame of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on December 3, 2022. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)