The Clemson Tigers have been hit with some bad news regarding the transfer portal.
The Clemson Tigers' quarterback situation is in flux heading into 2026, as Cade Klubnik is departing and there is no clear-cut answer to replace him.
On top of that, Clemson just lost a member of its quarterback room to the transfer portal.
Redshirt freshman Cade Trotter has revealed that he has decided to enter the portal, following a year in which he made the squad as a walk on and contributed on the scout team.
“The opportunity to be a Clemson Tiger has been an honor,” Trotter said in a post on X. “My time here has grown me as a man and in my dependence on the Lord. My ambition has been to honor this University and this team with my hard work, consistency, perseverance, and loyalty."
The Dallas, Tx. native probably didn't have much of a chance to compete for a starting role behind Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson, not to mention incoming freshman Tait Reynolds and Brock Bradley. And that's not even considering that Clemson might also add another quarterback via the transfer portal.
Cade Trotter. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.“My calling as a quarterback is to grow, develop, lead, and execute – all with the idea in mind to pursue excellence, to win, and to make myself and the men around me better," Trotter continued. "At the onset of accepting the opportunity at Clemson, I believed those phases would continue to increase without needing any additional transitions. However, the need for movement in order to reach my full potential in football has become necessary, which is why I have chosen to enter the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility remaining.”
Trotter is looking forward to the next part of his journey, and he will surely find a school that can provide him with a better opportunity for playing time.
“I am excited for what is ahead and ready to take the right step," Trotter concluded.
Meanwhile, the Tigers just went 7-6, marking their worst finish since Dabo Swinney's second year at the helm in 2010. Clemson entered the season with national championship expectations, but got off to a miserable 1-3 start and never recovered.
The Tigers will also be losing a handful of key players to the NFL Draft this offseason, so wholesale changes may be needed in order for Clemson to contend next season.
We'll see if Swinney does what is necessary in the coming weeks to bring the Tigers back to prominence.