This Clemson Tigers transfer addition is already getting people excited.
The Clemson Tigers actually got fairly active in the transfer portal for a change this winter, adding 10 players. Nine of them came on the defensive side of the ball.
While it would have been nice for Clemson to bolster its offense, which struggled last year and has lost some key pieces, the defense was in shambles after watching most of its top players leave for the NFL Draft or the portal.
One of the Tigers' most compelling additions was cornerback Elliot Washington, who spent his first three seasons at Penn State before transferring to Clemson.
Apparently, Washington is already making a big impact.
The Tigers started spring practice this week, and Washington has been flying all over the field. Defensive end Darien Mayo specifically mentioned Washington when discussing how good the defense has looked.
“Elliot went crazy today,” Mayo said, via The Clemson Insider. “That was my favorite first thing I saw. He had like two picks today. He did great.”
Elliot Washington. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.Washington arrived at Penn State in 2022 but didn't begin earning significant playing time until Year 2, when he registered 26 tackles, an interception and six passes defended.
This past season, however, Washington's snaps with the Nittany Lions diminished, as he finished with 18 tackles, a pick an three passes defended.
A big reason Washington came to Clemson was because of defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who had previously served as a defensive coach at Penn State in 2024.
With Avieon Terrell departing for the NFL Draft, the Tigers have a hole they need to fill at cornerback, so perhaps Washington could step up and play a pivotal role for the squad next fall.
Clemson went just 7-6 in 2025, marking the school's worst finish since going 6-7 back in 2010. That was Dabo Swinney's second full campaign at the helm.
The Tigers have a whole lot of question marks heading into 2026, so there is no guarantee they are going to be any better than last season. But hopefully, the additions Swinney and Co. made over the winter can help elevate the program back to relevancy.
Clemson will open up against LSU on Sept. 5.
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