Clemson’s Quarterback Carousel: Three Transfer Portal Gunslingers To Keep Your Eyes On
As the 2025 college football season wraps up and the transfer portal heats up, Clemson Tigers find themselves in a familiar position: hunting for quarterback depth and potential successors to Cade Klubnik, who is set to graduate after a solid but unspectacular tenure. With Dabo Swinney’s program eyeing a return to national contention, the portal offers a treasure trove of talent.
Among the standouts are DJ Lagway from Florida, Josh Hoover from TCU, and Drew Mestemaker from North Texas—all either in or expected to enter the portal. Each brings a unique resume, skill set, and potential fit for Clemson’s pro-style offense under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Below, we break down their backgrounds, any ties to the Tigers, how they might slot in, their strengths, and key analyst insights
DJ Lagway: The Dual-Threat Phenom with Unfinished Business
Resume DJ Lagway arrived at Florida as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports.
After a redshirt year, he took over as starter in 2025, leading the Gators to a 4-8 record. His stats: 2,264 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a 63.2% completion rate. He added mobility with rushing contributions, showcasing his athleticism despite team struggles and injuries.
Lagway announced his intent to enter the portal on December 15, 2025, with two years of eligibility remaining.
Clemson Ties
Lagway was a high-priority target for Clemson during his high school recruitment, with Dabo Swinney making an 11th-hour pitch to flip him from Florida.
Analysts note Swinney’s history of pursuing elite Texas talents like Lagway, drawing parallels to former Tiger DJ Uiagalelei.
How He Fits at Clemson
Lagway could step in as an immediate challenger or successor to any holdover QBs, providing a dynamic spark to Clemson’s offense. His dual-threat ability aligns with Riley’s scheme, which emphasizes play-action and RPOs. With young prospects like Christopher Vizzina and incoming recruits waiting in the wings, Lagway offers a high-upside bridge, potentially elevating the Tigers’ explosiveness in the ACC.Skill Set and Strengths
- Arm Talent: Elite velocity and accuracy on deep balls, capable of threading needles in tight windows.
- Mobility: A true runner with speed and elusiveness, adding a ground-game dimension.
- Upside: Raw but toolsy; his physical gifts (6’3″, 240 lbs) scream NFL potential.
- Weaknesses: Turnover-prone in 2025, needs polish on decision-making under pressure.
Analyst CommentaryESPN’s Pete Thamel highlighted Lagway as a top portal prize due to his “highly regarded tools.”
Josh Pate on his podcast suggested Clemson as a landing spot, noting Swinney’s aggressive recruitment history.
247Sports called him the No. 3 overall portal player, predicting interest from blue-bloods like Clemson.
Josh Hoover: The Battle-Tested Pocket Passer Ready for a Reset
ResumeA three-year starter at TCU, Hoover amassed 9,629 career passing yards (third in program history) and 71 touchdowns (also third).
In 2025, he set a school record with 3,949 yards, despite the Horned Frogs’ middling season. Hoover, a Texas native, has one year of eligibility left and announced his portal entry on December 18, 2025, opting out of TCU’s Alamo Bowl.
He’s projected as the most productive returning QB in terms of yards and TDs.
Clemson Ties
Hoover’s connections to Clemson run deep. He initially committed to Indiana under then-head coach Tom Allen, now Clemson’s defensive coordinator.
He flipped to TCU after an offer from Garrett Riley, Clemson’s current OC, who recruited him at multiple stops.
@QualkTalk Analysts describe these ties as “hard to ignore.”
How He Fits at Clemson
As a plug-and-play veteran, Hoover could stabilize Clemson’s QB room immediately, serving as a one-year bridge to players like Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson . His pocket presence would complement Clemson’s strong offensive line and receiver corps, allowing Riley to dial up vertical shots while mentoring younger arms for 2027.Skill Set and Strengths
- Accuracy and Volume: High-volume passer with pinpoint placement; excels in quick-release systems.
- Experience: Battle-tested in Big 12 shootouts, with poise in high-pressure situations.
- Arm Strength: Can stretch the field vertically, ranking top-5 in TCU history for total offense.
- Weaknesses: Limited mobility; thrives best with protection.
Analyst Commentary
Sports Illustrated pegged Clemson as a top landing spot, noting Hoover’s familiarity with Riley could hinge the Tigers’ portal strategy.
ESPN’s coverage emphasized his record-breaking production as a portal steal.
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@QualkTalk called him “the best option” for Clemson, ideal as a bridge QB. Yahoo Sports listed him among elite destinations, praising his consistency.
Drew Mestemaker: The Efficient Upstart with Star Potential
ResumeA redshirt freshman at North Texas, Mestemaker exploded in 2025 after starter Chandler Morris transferred out. He led all FBS QBs with 4,129 passing yards, tossing 31 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions at a 70.2% completion rate.
The 6’4″, 211-pound Austin native earned AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and has three years of eligibility left. He’s expected to enter the portal in January 2026.
Clemson Ties
No direct historical links surfaced, but Mestemaker’s Texas roots align with Swinney’s recruiting footprint. His rapid rise mirrors Clemson’s success developing under-the-radar talents, and his style could appeal to Riley’s air-raid influences.
How He Fits at Clemson
Mestemaker represents a long-term investment, potentially starting in 2026 while developing behind a veteran. His efficiency would mesh with Clemson’s balanced attack, providing stability and growth potential as the Tigers rebuild their QB pipeline amid ACC competition.Skill Set and Strengths
- Precision: Elite completion percentage, especially on quick throws (76.5% under 2.5 seconds).
- Decision-Making: Low turnover rate; smart with the ball in rhythm offenses.
- Size and Arm: Prototypical frame with zip on intermediate routes.
- Weaknesses: Limited starting experience; unproven against Power 4 defenses.
Analyst Commentary
CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer called Mestemaker a “multi-year starter appeal” with massive upside.
247Sports suggested he’d thrive in pass-heavy schemes like Clemson’s.
Another analyst dubbed him “the BEST QB in the transfer portal,” outshining names like Lagway for efficiency.
Bleacher Report highlighted his yardage lead, predicting high demand from programs needing a efficient gunslinger.
In a portal era where experience and fit reign supreme, Lagway, Hoover, and Mestemaker each offer Clemson a path forward. Whether Swinney pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but these three could be the keys to unlocking another playoff run in Death Valley.
