Just when you thought Clemson football had clocked out of the transfer portal drama for the winter, Dabo Swinney stirs the pot. After snagging Purdue’s Will Heldt and Southeast Missouri State’s Tristan Smith, the Tigers appeared to be riding off into the sunset with a tidy offseason haul. But anyone familiar with Swinney’s relentless pursuit of excellence knows that Clemson doesn’t settle for “good enough.” And now, a tantalizing opportunity has put them back on the map, as their alleged 5-star affair with Bama has turned more spicy.

Clemson is set to host highly-touted portal target Jeremiah Alexander.

The former 5-star prospect spent his first three seasons at Alabama before entering the portal on Friday. Tigers’ insider Adam on X drops the Clemson news with a bang; his post read, “Clemson has received a 🔮 for Alabama transfer and former 5 ⭐️ DE Jeremiah Alexander. He was on campus today 🐅.” He previously announced with a list of other interests to visit the CFP quarterfinalists, and you could expect Dabo Swinney and staff to roll out the Orange Carpet. If that name sounds familiar because it’s a reunion.

The Tigers were serious contenders for Alexander’s commitment out of high school in 2021, bringing him in for a pivotal summer visit. At the time, Clemson looked poised to land the highly-touted prospect before Alabama swooped in with their undeniable gravitational pull. Alexander spent three seasons with the Tide, navigating a whirlwind of positional adjustments and limited opportunities. But now he’s back on the market, and Clemson is in a prime position to capitalize.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 232 pounds, Alexander was ranked as the nation’s top edge rusher in the 2022 class and the No. 18 overall prospect in the 247 Composite Rankings. His potential was undeniable, but his time in Tuscaloosa didn’t go as planned. The Tide initially slotted him at inside linebacker, a position that didn’t fully tap into his pass-rushing arsenal. A switch to outside linebacker in 2023 offered glimpses of what he could bring, but playing time remained scarce. Alexander logged just nine tackles in three years, primarily contributing on special teams—a far cry from the dominant impact many envisioned for the 5-star phenom.

“Judging him based on those statistics alone might be short-sighted,” said Cory Fravel of Clemson 247. And he’s right. Alexander’s limited role at Alabama isn’t an indictment of his talent; rather, it’s a reflection of the Tide’s logjam of elite defenders and the unique challenges of transitioning between positions in one of college football’s most complex defensive schemes.

Clemson fans know better than to sleep on a player of Alexander’s caliber. “He’s almost there for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers,” Fravel added, hinting that the tide (pun intended) might be turning in Clemson’s favor.

Dabo Swinney, landing Alexander wouldn’t just be a tactical win—it would be a statement. After a 10-4 season that fell a short 14 points to the Horns in the CFP first-rounder, Clemson needs to inject fresh energy and elite talent into its roster. Alexander fits the bill perfectly. His pass-rushing potential could bring a spark to a defense that, while solid, lacked the game-changing explosiveness seen in Clemson’s title-winning squads. Imagine Alexander terrorizing quarterbacks in Death Valley, feeding off the electric energy of the crowd as he fulfills the promise that made him a 5-star sensation.

The stakes are high and the competition is fierce. Programs across the country are undoubtedly circling, eager to woo Alexander with their pitches. But Clemson has an ace up its sleeve: a history with the player, a culture that prioritizes player development, and a head coach who knows how to close a deal when it matters most. As the clock ticks toward a decision, the orange tigers are hoping that the 🔮 prophecy becomes reality.

Alexander the great stayed overnight for Dabo Swinney

According to the Clemson Insider, Alexander arrived on campus Monday and even stayed overnight—a move that could be music to Dabo Swinney’s ears. Ideally, Swinney would love to secure Alexander’s commitment before he leaves town, effectively shutting down the possibility of other visits. But it’s not that simple.

Alexander recently visited Auburn on Saturday, and he has plans to check out Ole Miss and Oklahoma soon. Clearly, the competition for his services is heating up. Despite not seeing much playing time with the Tide, Alexander’s raw talent is hard to ignore. Maybe he’s a late bloomer. Maybe Alabama’s defensive scheme just wasn’t the best fit for his skill set. Or maybe all he needs is a fresh start and an opportunity to shine somewhere else.

Swinney knows the value of betting on a player with something to prove, and Alexander could be just that. Let’s see if the Tigers can seal the deal!