Clemson has reached out to a potential transfer QB

Robert Thorne MacRae · #1 04-08-2021, 10:40 AM

From the moment Taisun Phommachanh went down with an injury late in the Orange & White game there has been plenty of speculation about whether Clemson would target the transfer portal to look for another backup QB for this coming season.

Swinney stressed following the game that Clemson had three quarterbacks scheduled to come in this summer and wasn't ready to commit to the staff looking at a potential transfer option.

As we have reported, including in this week's Insider report, one of those quarterbacks, Bubba Chandler, will have a difficult decision to make when the MLB draft comes along in June.

Clemson has to attract the right transfer candidate if they decide to go in that direction. They need to find someone that understands that DJ is the starter, but that they will have a chance to be on a team that has a legitimate chance to win a national championship, will very likely be in the College Football Playoff and if DJ goes down they would have a chance to lead one of the best teams in the nation.

With the NCAA giving all players an extra year of eligibility, due to the COVID situation, has opened up some interesting possibilities where the Tigers can search for a quarterback that wasn't planning on playing football another season but now with the extra year could be just the answer for Clemson.

We can now report that we have confirmed that Clemson has spoken with at least one QB that is a potential transfer candidate. We will not release his name at this time as he is already working another job.

I can tell you this player has confirmed to me in the last 24 hours that he has spoken with Coach Pearman about the possibility of playing one more year of football at Clemson. Of course, as you know, Pearman's new role at Clemson is to scout and recruit the transfer portal. This player was recruited by the Tigers in high school and already has a relationship with Swinney and several assistants.

This player would be a major upgrade for the backup QB position for the Tigers and would put them in a great position for the upcoming season if anything were to happen to DJ. The issue is this young man has already started his work life after college football and will have to decide if he wants to give up a very good job for one more year of college football.

Obviously, this is confirmation that Clemson is investigating the transfer option.

We will continue to monitor this situation and let you know as we learn more and can release more.

tigerpawgt · #2 04-08-2021, 11:19 AM

Someone else provided this list of 2016 HS QBs Clemson recruited:
Austin Kendall
Jake Bentley
Brennan Wooten
Bowman Sells
Rex Culpepper
Jarrett Guarantano
Brandon McIlwain
Jawon Pass
Xavier Gaines
Avery McCall

Let the speculation begin.

Tiggershark · #3 04-08-2021, 11:21 AM

Jake Bentley would be a riot.

tigerpawgt · #4 04-08-2021, 11:23 AM

I still think Hunter Johnson should consider coming back for post graduate studies. It might be a great way to get started in coaching football if that’s something that’s interested him.

tigerpawgt · #5 04-08-2021, 11:29 AM

I believe the Tenn QB already transferred to WashSt.

TNTiger7 · #6 04-08-2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerpawgt

I believe the Tenn QB already transferred to WashSt.

Please no Guarantano. The local vawl fans were definitely never happy with him.

Tiger80 · #7 04-08-2021, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerpawgt

I still think Hunter Johnson should consider coming back for post graduate studies. It might be a great way to get started in coaching football if that’s something that’s interested him.

That's an interesting option.

SSMITH2554 · #8 04-08-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger80

That's an interesting option.

I would feel fine with that option also!

Ken · #9 04-08-2021, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger80

That's an interesting option.

More speculation than an actual option

FORDPAWSCU · #10 04-08-2021, 02:21 PM

Chase Brice or Hunter Johnson

Ken · #11 04-08-2021, 02:26 PM

Rumor has it the former WVA QB which if so is a nice option.

jlcu91 · #12 04-08-2021, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNTiger7

Please no Guarantano. The local vawl fans were definitely never happy with him.

For good reason, he’s terrible.

Big_Cat · #13 04-08-2021, 05:44 PM

I almost spit out my tea when I read Jake Bentley lol

EFB88 · #14 04-08-2021, 05:55 PM

Heart skipped a beat reading this. What happened to next man up, work with what you have, family?

catdaddy2402 · #15 04-08-2021, 05:59 PM

Feel pretty sure you can write Bentley& Culpepper off the list since the staff has seen first hand they are absolutely terrible.

tigerpawgt · #16 04-08-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFB88

Heart skipped a beat reading this. What happened to next man up, work with what you have, family?

It’s 2021. The new era of the transfer portal. Clemson has walkons behind DJ and very good chance Bubba Chandler never plays college football. This team is good enough to make the playoff but not without a backup with some amount experience and skill.

I’m with you about family and staying true to the recruiting plans, but this time family is all about accepting an exchange student into the home for a season.