Clemson Tigers Transfer Portal Departures:
Analyzing the Five Players Leaving Death ValleyAs the NCAA transfer portal window swings open on December 9, 2025—running through January 16—the Clemson Tigers are navigating a familiar yet challenging offseason ritual. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s program, which finished the 2025 regular season at 7-5 and is bowl-bound against Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27, has seen five players enter the portal so far. This marks a modest exodus compared to some peers, but it highlights depth concerns at linebacker and in the secondary.These departures come amid a transitional year for Clemson’s defense under new coordinator Tom Allen, with the team allowing 25.3 points per game—a slight uptick from 2024. For each player, we’ll break down their high school recruiting pedigree, Clemson tenure, and apparent motivations for seeking new horizons. All have eligibility remaining, positioning them as attractive options for programs eyeing immediate contributors.
Shelton Lewis: The Early Exiter Seeking Stability
High School Recruiting:
Shelton Lewis arrived at Clemson as a three-star cornerback from Stockbridge High School in Georgia, part of the Tigers’ 2023 class. Ranked No. 97 nationally at his position and No. 987 overall by the 247Sports Composite, Lewis flipped his commitment from Pitt to Clemson in August 2022 after drawing offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Georgia Tech, and others. A track standout with verified sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash speed, he was prized for his athleticism and ball skills in a multi-faceted high school role.
Time at Clemson:
Over three seasons (2023-25), Lewis appeared in 29 games, logging 29 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
As a true freshman in 2023, he played in all 13 games with two picks; in 2024, he started four amid injuries to starters. However, 2025 saw diminished snaps—just 49 defensive plays across four games (7 tackles, 1 PBU)—as he backed up freshman phenom Misun Kelley at nickel corner.
Reasons for Moving On:
Lewis became the first Tiger to depart midseason on October 3, 2025, after Clemson’s 1-3 start, opting to redshirt the year and preserve two years of eligibility. Reports indicate frustration with inconsistent playing time under the new defensive scheme, where he struggled to secure a defined role amid a crowded secondary.
With Clemson’s depth at cornerback bolstered by freshmen, Lewis appears headed for a program offering clearer path to snaps.
Dee Crayton: Depth Piece Chasing Starters’ MinutesHigh School
Recruiting:
A three-star linebacker from Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, Crayton committed to Clemson in June 2022 as part of the 2023 class. Ranked No. 358 overall by ESPN and No. 31 at inside linebacker, his senior tape featured 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a score), and four forced fumbles—earning him offers from Florida State, Penn State, Tennessee, and others.
Time at Clemson:
Crayton redshirted in 2023 before emerging as a rotational player, appearing in 30 games across three seasons with 29 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Primarily a special teams contributor, he saw career-high action in 2024 (20 tackles in 154 snaps) as a co-backup at middle and weakside linebacker. In 2025, his role shrank to 79 defensive snaps and eight tackles over 11 games.
Reasons for Moving On:
Announced on December 3, 2025, Crayton’s exit stems from a quest for a larger role, as he remained buried on the depth chart behind starters Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, and transfers like Jeremiah Alexander. With two years left, he’s eyeing programs where his special teams reliability and tackling prowess can translate to defensive snaps—potentially in the ACC or SEC.
Keith Adams Jr.: Legacy Back Seeking Spotlight
High School Recruiting:
As a three-star running back, Adams committed to Clemson on National Signing Day in February 2022, capping a recruitment boosted by his family ties. After starting at Cherokee High in Canton, Georgia, he transferred to Pine View High in St. George, Utah, for his senior year, rushing for 1,376 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 217 receiving yards.
His offers included Navy, Marshall, and South Florida, but Clemson’s legacy pull—son of Hall of Famer Keith Adams (1999 ACC Defensive POY)—sealed the deal.
Time at Clemson:
A redshirt freshman in 2022, Adams played in 32 games over four seasons, totaling 274 rushing yards (4.7 avg.) and two touchdowns on 58 carries, plus one reception for four yards.
Nicknamed “Hammerhead” for his bruising style, he doubled as a short-yardage fullback and special teamer, peaking with 122 yards and a score in 2024. In 2025, he managed 71 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries but saw zero offensive snaps in five of the final six games.
Reasons for Moving On:
Entering the portal on December 9, 2025, the redshirt junior cited a desire for more touches in his final eligible year, having settled into a deep reserve role Fans and analysts note his physicality could thrive at a run-heavy program, perhaps a Group of Five or mid-major Power Four squad.
Khalil Barnes: The Star Safety’s Shocking Split
High School Recruiting:
Barnes, a three-star (Rivals four-star) safety from North Oconee High in Bogart, Georgia, committed to Clemson in December 2022 after official visits to Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Wake Forest. His senior stats—44 tackles, eight interceptions, and 879 receiving yards offensively—drew offers from Georgia Tech, Duke, and Tennessee, highlighting his two-way versatility.
Time at Clemson:
A three-year starter, Barnes played in 37 games, amassing 139 tackles, seven interceptions (team-high in 2023-24), three forced fumbles, one sack, and 18 pass breakups. The 2023 Freshman All-American led the nation in multi-takeaway production as a rookie, starting 23 of 27 games through 2024. His 2025 output dipped to 40 tackles and zero picks in 10 starts, hampered by a hamstring injury.
Reasons for Moving On:
On December 9, 2025, Barnes called his portal entry “one of the hardest decisions,” thanking Swinney while eyeing new challenges with one year left. Declining stats, scheme adjustments under Allen, and the allure of NIL opportunities elsewhere fueled the move; he’s projected as a top-30 portal target for contending programs.
Jamal Anderson: NFL Legacy Linebacker Eyes Bigger Stage
High School Recruiting:
A consensus four-star from Mill Creek High in Hoschton, Georgia, Anderson committed to Clemson in June 2022 as the No. 128 overall recruit and No. 12 outside linebacker per ESPN. His senior year featured 65 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception, earning all-state honors and offers from Florida, Miami, Penn State, Texas, USC, and Utah (his father’s alma mater).
Time at Clemson:
Enrolling early in January 2023, Anderson played in 31 games over three seasons, notching 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a blocked punt. A special teams mainstay, he started once in 2024 and logged 48 snaps in four 2025 games (7 tackles, 2 TFL) before redshirting.
Reasons for Moving On:
The son of Atlanta Falcons All-Pro Jamal Anderson announced his December 11, 2025, departure amid a crowded linebacker room, trailing Woodaz, Brown, Alexander, and McCloud. With two years remaining post-redshirt, he’s prioritizing development and snaps at a school valuing his hybrid LB/DB traits.
Impact on Clemson: Rebuild or Reset?
These exits—three linebackers, a safety, a corner, and a running back—expose vulnerabilities in Clemson’s defensive front seven and back-end depth, areas Swinney targeted in recruiting. The Tigers have already added four via portal (including LB Jeremiah Alexander from Alabama), but replacing Barnes’ production will test Allen’s scheme. Positively, it clears paths for young talents like freshman LB Sammy Brown. As Swinney often says, “It’s all part of the process”—but in the NIL era, retaining homegrown stars like these grows tougher. Expect Clemson to aggressively pursue defensive reinforcements before the portal closes.
