Transfer defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly made his long-awaited Clemson debut on Saturday against Charleston Southern after returning from a torn ACL suffered during spring practice.

During his Sunday teleconference, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney highlighted Kelly’s enthusiasm and excitement to step onto the field in a Clemson uniform, sharing that Kelly was all smiles as he finally got to play in his first game of the season.

“He had a big smile on his face. He was happy,” Swinney said. “He’s just gotta keep practicing and working. That’s the first live football he’s been able to play since the spring.”

Kelly recorded one tackle in limited action. According to Swinney, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound junior logged seven snaps as the Tigers heavily rotated players at defensive tackle.

“I think Kourtney played seven [snaps]. A couple series. … It was good for him,” Swinney said. “He knows he’s gotta just kind of work the rust off a little bit, and kind of getting back into real football-playing type shape.”

Kelly was one of many transfer portal acquisitions for Clemson on the defensive side of the ball this past offseason. He spent his first two college seasons at West Georgia, where he was credited with 17 tackles (seven for loss), four sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games in 2025 after appearing in one game while redshirting in 2024.

Kelly and the Tigers (4-2, 2-1 ACC) return to the field this Saturday when they host Virginia Tech at Memorial Stadium (7 p.m., ESPN).