Swinney Comments on Tampering Issues

CHARLOTTE — In the past, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been very critical of the tampering issues that are involved in the sport when it comes to the transfer portal.

Though he feels it has gotten somewhat better, it is still a problem.

Swinney was asked during the fourth and final day of the ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday if tampering has improved or stayed about the same.

“People have gotten more creative in how they go about it,” he said.

Swinney did not elaborate on just how creative other schools have become in trying to entice his players to come to their school.

The Clemson coach was then asked if had any solution to try and fix what has been happening.

“I got a lot of solutions. I just do not have an opportunity,” he said.

Of course, Clemson and the transfer portal have not been friends since it took off in college football in 2021. Swinney has been steadfast on how Clemson chooses to use the portal, though the media and fans continue to criticize him about his lack of usage.

Some say he is being stubborn.

This past year, Clemson signed no one from the portal, the only FBS school not named Army and Navy to do so. In the last three years, the Tigers have signed just two players from the portal.

“We evaluate every year. You see what’s leaving and you evaluate your roster and then you look at who’s coming back on your roster,” Swinney said. “Who are your starters, projected starters, and then you also look at who you’re recruiting.

“It’s something we talk about every single year. It’s not like I walk in and go, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing.’ We have a whole staff of very experienced coaches and they’re the head coach in their position.”

— Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports