This Clemson Tigers transfer addition has reacted to some key comments made by head coach Dabo Swinney.
The Clemson Tigers have not typically been active in the transfer portal under Dabo Swinney. In fact, between 2022 and 2025, they landed a grand total of five players in the portal.
That certainly changed this year, as Swinney bagged 11 transfers, including former Penn State cornerback Elliot Washington.
Washington was definitely one of Swinney's top gets this offseason, and he is expected to play a significant role in Clemson's secondary next fall. Especially with so many key Tigers defensive backs departing.
Last month, Swinney raved about Washington, calling him "the best guy in camp." He added that Washington was making plays "every single day" and that he was "really encouraged" by what he saw from the senior defender.
Washington recently made an appearance on the 2 Right Turns podcast and was asked about Swinney's remarks. He said he had no idea Swinney even said that about him until his father showed him the video. Then, he lit up.
Elliot Washington. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.“I’m not really in tune to stuff like that. I just put my head down and work,” Washington said. “So my pops sent that to me out of nowhere, so I just clicked it. I listened to it, I was smiling the whole video."
Washington arrived at Penn State in 2022 and began receiving legitimate playing time during his sophomore campaign, when he logged 26 tackles, an interception and six passes defended.
The Venice, Fl. native took a bit of a step back last season, finishing with 18 tackles, a pick an three passes defended, but he seems more than ready to take his game to the next level for Clemson in 2026.
“It feels great because it’s like ... you know how long you put in so much work and just all the sacrifices you make just to get to that point," Washington said. "But there’s still work to be done, I’m not stopping there."
Washington has familiarity with Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen, as Allen served as Washington's defensive coordinator at Penn State in 2024. Perhaps not so coincidentally, that marks Washington's best season to date.
We'll see if Washington can further elevate his level of play next season.
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