The Clemson Tigers recently lost another key defensive back in the transfer portal this offseason.
With the transfer portal in full swing, the Clemson Tigers are continuing to make a push for multiple talented players this offseason. However, the program was unable to hold on to one defensive back for the 2026 season.
According to On3Sports’ Hayes Fawcett, former Clemson standout cornerback Shelton Lewis has committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday afternoon.
Lewis, before stepping foot on campus, was a three-star cornerback in the 2023 recruiting cycle. The underrated defensive playmaker was a top-75 cornerback and prospect in the state of Georgia, per 247Sports’ Composite.
Despite not being a highly-touted recruit coming out of college, Lewis still managed to receive some playing time in his freshman season with the Tigers. During the 2023 college football season, Lewis made his presence felt around the program, as he finished the season with 10 tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in seven games.
Unfortunately for the rising star, he would not be able to maintain his success from his freshman season in the next two years with Clemson. Over the course of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Lewis would record 20 tackles and three pass deflections in 11 games. This season, Lewis would play in four games for the Tigers, tallying eight tackles and one pass deflection.
One of the main reasons for his limited amount of playing time in 2025 was due to the emergence of multiple cornerbacks for head coach Dabo Swinney, including Avieon Terrell and Ashton Hampton. Terrell is now projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Lewis set to join the Razorbacks, he is now one of four defensive backs to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Earlier this month, star safety Khalil Barnes announced his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs, while fellow safeties Ricardo Jones and Rob Billings continue to linger in the transfer portal.
Luckily for Swinney and his defense, help is on the way.
Clemson, so far this offseason, has done a terrific job of using the portal to land multiple defensive backs. On Tuesday, it was reported that former Auburn Tigers cornerback Donovan Starr has committed to Clemson. In addition to Starr, Swinney also managed to secure former Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Elliot Washington II.