Edge Rusher on Deck: Clemson Courts Conference Star
Tulane transfer Harvey Dyson III, a three-star edge rusher, plans an official visit to Clemson’s campus as the Tigers aim to bolster their defensive front. Dyson, who led the AAC in sacks and earned All-Conference Third-Team honors, would join a unit returning solid performances from Will Heldt and Jahiem Lawson. Clemson has already welcomed eight defensive transfers this cycle and is exploring additional talent like UT-Martin’s Keyshawn Johnson and Colorado’s London Merritt to fill the void left by TJ Parker’s NFL declaration.
If you’ve ever thought that rebuilding a defense could be as straightforward as ordering takeout, Clemson’s transfer strategy is here to humble you. They’ve scraped the roster like a kid scavenging for candy, grabbing every defensive end with an internet connection. Now they’re courting Dyson, whose greatest pregame ritual may be scanning his portal profile for “likes.” Because nothing says “tough defense” like a collection of free agents hoping their latest PowerPoint of highlights lands them a starting gig. The Tigers will soon find out if Dyson’s transfer portal hustle translates to Death Valley hustle, or if it’s just another swipe right in the recruiting app of life.
Beefing Up the Trenches: Clemson Hosts Elite Tackle
Clemson is hosting East Carolina offensive lineman Emmanuel Poku, a second-team All-American Conference guard, for a visit as the Tigers seek help on the offensive line. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Poku excelled in pass protection last season, posting a 69.1 grade with Pro Football Focus, and is ranked No. 17 among portal offensive tackles. He would bring one year of eligibility and could address the departures of multiple linemen due to eligibility rules. Texas Tech and Missouri are also vying for his commitment.
In case you thought offensive line recruiting was glamorous—spoiler: it’s not—Clemson has rolled out the red carpet for Poku like he’s the headline act at a rock concert. They’ve lost so many tackles, they might as well erect a “Will Work for Pancakes” sign on the field. Poku’s visit is essentially a job interview at Death Valley Staffing, and Clemson promises unlimited play time, a legendary burger joint nearby, and the chance to learn from Dabo’s secret stash of motivational posters. Meanwhile, Poku just wants a chance to block somebody—anybody—without worrying about teleporting freshmen sneaking in for snaps.
Ex-Playcaller Riley Lands on SEC Sidelines
Former Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has accepted an offensive assistant position at Missouri under head coach Eli Drinkwitz for the 2026 season. Riley, who guided Clemson to an ACC title and College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, saw his offense’s production dip in 2025, resulting in a 7-6 record and his departure. He moves from a high-profile OC role to a supporting job, while Clemson turns back to Chad Morris to revive its offense.
If there’s one thing college football loves more than upsets, it’s job reassignments masquerading as promotions. Riley’s demotion-to-assistant gig is being sold as a “strategic realignment” while most of us know it’s just a polite way to say “thanks, but please exit stage left.” Meanwhile, Clemson hires Chad Morris, because who doesn’t want to relive 2014? Drinkwitz is thrilled to inherit Riley’s playbook, and Riley is thrilled to… well, sit in the coaches’ lounge and polish clipboards. It’s corporate America meets college football, with fewer powerpoints than expected and just as many acronyms.
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