The Clemson Tigers are making a move on yet another top defender in the transfer portal.
The Clemson Tigers added former Colorado edge rusher Landon Merritt in the transfer portal on Thursday, and they appear to be zeroing in on yet another top defender.
Jason Priester of The Clemson Insider has revealed that former UT Martin linebacker Keyshawn Johnson visited the campus and that his time at Clemson went well, but that he also met with fellow ACC school Syracuse on Thursday.
Johnson racked up 53 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and a couple of forced fumbles at UT Martin in 2025, winning OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound pass rusher began his collegiate career at Grambling State in 2023 and spent one year there before transferring to UT Martin in 2024.
Now that Johnson has built up his stock enough to catch the attention of some of the better teams in the country, he has decided to enter the transfer portal yet again.
Clemson definitely needs to rebuild a defense that has lost a handful of star players to the NFL Draft this offseason. Defensive tackles Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart, edge rusher T.J. Parker, cornerback Avieon Terrell and linebacker Wade Woodaz have all revealed their decision to make the jump to the pros.
Clemson Tigers coach Dabo Swinney. Credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Not only that, but the Tigers lost breakout safety Ricardo Jones — who recorded six interceptions this past season — to the portal.
Clemson has already a few intriguing transfers in addition to Merritt, including linebacker Luke Ferrelli and cornerback Eliot Washington II.
Overall, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have secured commitments from eight different players in the portal, with all of them coming on the defensive side of the ball.
Clemson still needs plenty of help offensively, though, as quarterback Cade Klubnik, running back Adam Randall and wide receiver Antonio Williams are all heading to the NFL.
The Tigers are searching for help with their offense, as well, but it seems like they are currently having some difficulty addressing that side of the field.
Clemson went just 7-6 this year, marking its worst finish since going 6-7 in 2010, which was Swinney's second season with the program.
We'll see if the Tigers can rebound in 2026.