CLEMSON — Darian Mensah walked into Death Valley last season and threw for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also completed 27 of 41 passes (65.9 percent) and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt.

Mensah’s performance in leading Duke to its first win at Memorial Stadium since 1980 had a lot to do with all the changes on defense Clemson made in the offseason.

Besides the coaches, defensive coordinator Tom Allen dipped his hands into the transfer portal and brought in 10 new players overall, including four new pieces in the secondary.

How much of a difference has the new secondary made in Clemson?

Mensah was not nearly as effective for his new team last week, as he was in 2025. The Miami quarterback had his least productive game of the season against the Tigers and one of his least productive games of his career, though the fourth-ranked Hurricanes still won the game rather easily.

However, the Clemson defense, especially the secondary, had little to do with the loss. The additions of cornerback Elliot Washington, safety Jerome Carter, safety Corey Myrick and corner Donovan Starr have transformed the Clemson secondary.

The contributions are proof that going to the portal and getting the right guy, can make a difference.

With that said, the Tigers have to start looking at next year, now. On Wednesday, we indicated what the offense might do in the portal to have a more complete roster next year, so today we focus on the defense.

Defensive End

The defensive ends have had their ups and downs this year but coincidentally it has been the two transfers that have been the most productive thus far. Will Heldt, who transferred to Clemson in 2025 from Purdue, leads the Tigers with 4 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss to go with 17 tackles overall.

Colorado transfer London Merritt has been a human wrecking ball the last two games, as he harassed the Cal and Miami offenses all night. He had a game-changing strip sack fumble that replay overturned, though it clearly looked like a fumble in this writer’s opinion.

Merritt has 10 tackles overall, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack to go along with four deflected passes and three quarterback pressures.

Now the question is can Clemson bring Heldt and Merritt back. Merritt seems more likely considering he is just a sophomore, but the Tigers will need to get that deal done.

Heldt’s return will depend on his draft grade. The senior has one more year, but will he make more by coming back to Clemson or in the NFL Draft. His decision might play out until the deadline to declare for the NFL Draft.

The Tigers better do what they can to bring them back because they, along with Darien Mayo, are the only three returning of the top six defensive ends on the roster. With Jahiem Lawson, Armon Mason and Caden Story all using their eligibility, the Tigers should be ready to hit the portal to find their replacements.

Four-star edge rushers Santana Harvey and Desmond Malpress might be able to come in and help right away, while JiQuan Rogers, a three-star prospect from Birmingham, Ala., will likely be in the Power Hour program.

However, Clemson likely will go in and try to get at least one experienced edge rusher out of the portal, depending on what Heldt and Merritt do.

Defensive Tackle

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reported earlier in the week that transfer Kourtney Kelly could return as early as the Charleston Southern game, but he will definitely be helping the Tigers against Virginia Tech on Oct. 24. That is good news for a position that has been hit by injuries this season, which started in the spring with Kelly.

Like the secondary, Clemson hit the transfer portal hard for defensive tackles, as the coaches brought in Kelly, Marcus Strong, Andy Burburija and Devarrick Woods this off-season. Strong tore is ACL in the LSU game and is out for the season.

The Tigers are also without Hevin Brown-Shuler, who was diagnosed with cancer in the off-season and is fighting that battle.

Burley, Woods and Dietrick Pennington, who they moved over from the offensive line due to the injuries and attrition at the position, will not have any more eligibility after this season, while Kelly, Strong and Burburija could return along with starter Amare Adams.

Seth Tillman and Jaden Wuerth are a part of the 2027 recruiting class. Tillman, a four-star recruit, might be able to come in and help, but look for Allen and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason to hit the portal hard and try to bring in at least two experienced defensive tackles.

Linebackers

Last year, Clemson went to the portal and got burned after bringing in former Cal linebacker Luke Ferrelli. The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, however, was coaxed away by Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding after he was already on campus and attending classes. That left a void in the position that so far, the Tigers have masked for the most part.

Rumor has it that linebacker Sammy Brown wants to come back next year. But if he does not, and instead opts for the NFL, Clemson will be replacing him, along with Jeremiah Alexander, Kobe McCloud and Fletcher Cothran. Drew Woodaz, C.J. Kubah-Taylor and freshman Brayden Reilly are expected back and will be joined by freshmen Bryce Kish, Raymond Hudson and Max Brown, Sammy Brown’s younger brother.

This is definitely a position of need for the Tigers and Allen and position coach Ben Boulware will have to hit the portal to bring in at least two to three experienced players.

This is where the Ferrelli situation could really come back and bite the Tigers.

Safeties

Finally, some good news for the Clemson defense. The focus here should be on retaining the guys they have. Carter and Myrick are both set to return. Clemson also gets freshman Polo Anderson back after he was lost to the year with a torn ACL in the preseason.

Ronan Hanafin is also eligible to return, as well as Jakarrion Kenan. Unless someone unexpected leaves, the Tigers will likely stay away from the portal at this position, especially with freshmen Jarrell Chandler and Harrison Luke expected to come in.

Cornerbacks

Ashton Hampton is not coming back, as many consider him to go as the first or second cornerback in the NFL Draft. Washington is eligible to return and TCI hears he wants to, but the question is how early can he be drafted. He is in a similar situation has Heldt and will likely not make a decision until January.

The good news is the Tigers should be able to retain Starr, Corian Gipson (who is out of the season with a knee injury), Misun Kelley and Braden Strozier, who the coaches have praised about his development.

They are also high on Marcell Gipson Jr., who will play at nickel next week, and Shavar Young Jr. (also out for the year). The coaches like the way both of those freshmen came in and competed in the off-season.

I could see the Tigers go into the portal and get a corner or two to help with depth, as well with competition, especially if Washington decides to go into the draft.

Assistant coach Mike Reed is bringing in two corners from the 2027 class, including local talent Christian Chancellor Jr., the son of former Tiger Chris Chancellor, who was on Dabo Swinney’s first team at Clemson.