Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen on his transfer portal plans

Tom Allen met with reporters this week as Clemson continued its preparations for Saturday’s trip to South Carolina. While most of the attention centered on the rivalry game, he also took time to explain how he has handled the transfer portal over the years and what that might look like now that he’s with the Tigers.

Allen joined Clemson in January after coordinating Penn State’s defense last season. Before that, he spent nearly a decade at Indiana, including several years leading the program. With that background, he said his use of the portal has always been more of a targeted response to roster changes than a core part of team-building.

When asked about his past approach at different stops, Allen pointed to unexpected departures and recruiting swings as the moments when he’s leaned on transfers. He said, “I just think, for me, it’s always been a means to be able to address if you’ve got a guy that maybe leaves sooner than you thought he would, or a guy you’re recruiting and he’s not there, and doesn’t come and you think he’s going to come. So, just to be able to address the needs that are present on your team. And I think that’s where, for me, in the past, that’s what I’ve used it for.”

He also emphasized that he’s never wanted to depend heavily on the portal, noting that his perspective aligns with Dabo Swinney’s conversations on roster planning. “I’ve never relied on it heavily, but allowed it to be able to utilize it when you needed it per the situation,” Allen said. “So, that’s my philosophy, and obviously Coach [Swinney] and I have those conversations and everything. It’s allowed us to be able to be in position to improve your roster the best you possibly can.”

This season’s lone transfer window arrives soon, running from Jan. 2 through Jan. 16, giving Clemson a brief stretch after the year to evaluate what needs to be added.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of ClemsonTigers news and notes, plus opinions

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson DC Tom Allen talks his philosophy in the transfer portal