CLEMSON — Clemson football was one of four FBS schools in 2024 that did not add any transfer portal players.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was criticized for his portal approach entering the season with it reaching its peak after the Tigers lost to Georgia in Week 1. Swinney has quieted doubters since as No. 9 Clemson (6-1, 5-0 ACC) enters its second regular-season open date on a six-game win streak and on track to make the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers lost 12 players during the winter and spring cycles, including starting safety Andrew Mukuba and wide receiver Beaux Collins. As Clemson rests on its open date, here’s how these former Clemson players are doing with their new teams:
Andrew Mukuba, DB, Texas
Mukuba started 10 games for Clemson last season but finished with a career-low 42 tackles over 578 snaps. He entered the portal on Dec. 5 and committed to Texas on Dec 18.
Mukuba is a starting safety for the Longhorns, recording 25 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups over five games. His two takeaways came in games against Michigan and Georgia, but he suffered a knee injury against the Bulldogs
Beaux Collins, WR, Notre Dame
Collins transferred to Notre Dame after having the second-most receiving yards (510) and third-most receptions (38) and receiving touchdowns (3) for Clemson during the 2023 season.
Collins leads the Irish in receptions (26) and receiving yards (317) through seven games.
Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri
Pride transferred to his home state to play for Missouri. He appeared in 26 games at Clemson with three starts across two seasons, totaling 36 tackles, a sack and an interception.
Pride has played in four games for Missouri this season, logging seven tackles and a returning an interception for a touchdown.
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Domonique Thomas, RB, Ole Miss
Thomas, a former Clemson walk-on who earned a scholarship, played in all 12 games for the Tigers last season, rushing for 116 yards on 18 carries. He initially transferred to Georgia State during the winter cycle but reopened his commitment to go to Ole Miss in the spring.
Thomas has 90 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 carries over three games with the Rebels.
Hunter Helms, QB, Rhode Island
Helms, a former Clemson walk-on who earned a scholarship, finished his Tigers career having appeared in nine games, going 23-for-27 with 218 yards and two touchdowns. He transferred to Rhode Island in January.
Helms has appeared in four games with the Rams, going 18-for-32 for 158 yards passing and two interceptions.
Mitchell Mayes, OL, Charlotte
Mayes played in nine games (five starts) for Clemson last season. The former No. 3 player in North Carolina and No. 6 offensive guard in the 2020 class, per 247Sports Composite, appeared in 32 games with the Tigers.
Mayes is Charlotte’s starting right guard and most experienced offensive lineman.
Brannon Spector, WR, Jacksonville State
Spector made six starts over four seasons at Clemson and missed the 2021 season with respiratory challenges. He finished his career with the Tigers with 38 receptions for 372 yards and two touchdowns.
Spector, the younger brother of former Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector, transferred to Jacksonville (Ala.) State in January. Brannon Spector has recorded four catches for 25 yards over three games with the Gamecocks.
David Ojiegbe, DL, Pittsburgh
Ojiegbe, a former four-star recruit, redshirted last season with Clemson after playing 11 snaps in two games. He entered the portal Dec. 5 and committed to Pitt. He has appeared in two games for the Panthers, recording three tackles.
Sage Ennis, TE, Virginia
Ennis played in 41 games in four seasons at Clemson. Last year, Ennis finished with 52 receiving yards on three receptions. He transferred to Virginia, making an appearance in one game this season to catch one pass for two yards.
Zack Owens, OL, Colorado
Owens, a four-star recruit, entered the transfer portal in April after appearing in two games and playing 13 offensive snaps for Clemson last season. He transferred to Colorado, where he is listed as the third-string right guard.
Adam Kissayi, DE, Minnesota
Kissayi, a three-star recruit, entered the transfer portal in April after enrolling early in the 2024 cycle. The Florida native transferred to Minnesota and has not appeared in a game for the Golden Gophers.
Lannden Zanders, DB
Zanders started 10 games in his first two seasons at Clemson before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the Tigers’ season opener in 2021. He stepped away from football in August 2022 following several shoulder injuries, decided to enter the portal in December but did not land with a team.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: How 2024 cycle transfers are performing this year
