Hunter Johnson
QB Hunter Johnson is coming back to where he started, transferring back to Clemson to play quarterback once more. The media would have you believe that Dabo has finally relented to using the transfer portal.
“Dabo Swinney has finally dipped into the transfer portal to bolster his roster, and he did it by bringing back a former Clemson football player, “ according to David Hale of ESPN.
In reality, Hunter Johnson came to him, looking for a GA position after finishing up his degree at Northwestern University. Johnson initially planned to apply to Clemson’s MBA program and contacted Swinney about serving as a graduate assistant in 2022. Instead, “Dabo dipped into the portal” and offered him a chance to play another season.
Dabo’s position on the transfer portal has evolved somewhat. He has even made a couple offers to players in the trenches but he isn’t going to stray far from his roots and how he evaluates players to come play for his program. Johnson was recruited by Dabo to play quarterback at Clemson. He was a Clemson man before transferring to Northwestern. So much so that Clemson is where he wanted to finish up his college career and get his masters.
“I wouldn’t do anything differently. I’m not opposed to the transfer portal. If I was at another school, that might be all I signed was transfer portal guys. But, I’m at Clemson, and we’ve been able to sign great kids that we believe in. If we need to use the portal, we’ll use it. But, I’m not going to do something just to do something, “ Dabo told reporters back in October.
Look at this for what it really is. Hunter Johnson did not enter the transfer portal looking for playing time. He wasn’t unhappy because his coach left or because he was benched for a new fresh face. Dabo didn’t reach out to him to come to Clemson to play football. What Johnson IS going to do is bring in 5 years of college experience to a quarterback room that is talented and could use a steady hand. He fits the culture. His reasoning for transferring from Clemson in the first place was one Trevor Lawrence. Who could blame him?
Coach Swinney still believes in his blueprint, bringing in high school prospects that he and his staff can mold and develop into Clemson-type men and players. That’s not going to change. Clemson isn’t for everyone. Whether it’s a 5-star or a 4-star or a 3-star, or whether it’s a player coming out of high school or in the transfer portal, said player is not going to get an offer just to say he has a Clemson offer. That designation is reserved for schools like Tennessee (485 offers in 2022), South Carolina (222) and Florida (285).
In one fell swoop, “Dabo dipped into the transfer portal” and Hunter Johnson came home. The perfect storm.
