Three Incoming Clemson Transfers That Fans Should Be Excited About

Clemson added 10 transfers through the portal, the most in program history, and these three names could make an immediate impact.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney brought in a record 10 transfers this offseason, and three of them stand out as potentially exciting additions to the team. Edge rusher London Merritt, running back Chris Johnson Jr., and safety Jerome Carter III all come to Clemson with impressive resumes and the potential to make an immediate impact.

Why it matters

Clemson is looking to bounce back from a down year in 2025 and these transfer additions could provide a much-needed boost to the roster. The Tigers are hoping the influx of new talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball, will help them return to their usual spot atop the ACC standings.

The details

London Merritt, a transfer from Colorado, was an All-Freshman Team player by Pro Football Focus after recording 8 tackles for loss and 1 sack in his first season. He'll look to build on that production as an edge rusher for the Tigers. Chris Johnson Jr. comes to Clemson from SMU, where he showcased his elite speed, breaking off long touchdown runs. Head coach Dabo Swinney raved about Johnson's ability to turn any play into a score. Jerome Carter III, a transfer from Old Dominion, will help fill a need in the secondary after the departure of the team's leading interceptor. Carter had 6 interceptions of his own over the last two seasons with the Monarchs.

  • Clemson added 10 transfers through the portal in the 2026 offseason, the most in program history.

The players

London Merritt

An edge rusher who transferred from Colorado, where he was an All-Freshman Team player by Pro Football Focus after recording 8 tackles for loss and 1 sack in his first season.

Chris Johnson Jr.

A running back who transferred from SMU, known for his elite speed that allows him to break off long touchdown runs. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raved about Johnson's ability to turn any play into a score.

Jerome Carter III

A safety who transferred from Old Dominion, where he had 6 interceptions over the last two seasons. He'll help fill a need in Clemson's secondary after the departure of the team's leading interceptor.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, he's touchdown-fast. Meaning, he breaks the tackle, it's a touchdown. If they miss a tackle, it's a touchdown.”

— Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers Head Coach (Press Conference)

The takeaway

Clemson's influx of transfer talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball, could be the key to the Tigers bouncing back from a down year and returning to their usual spot atop the ACC standings.