Transfers, opt-outs piling up for Clemson football team ahead of Pinstripe Bowl
The Clemson football team that takes the field for the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27 is going to look a lot different from the team that beat South Carolina on Nov. 29.
Between transfers, injuries and NFL Draft opt-outs, coach Dabo Swinney’s program will be down 27 total scholarship players for its bowl game against Penn State.
Of those 27 players, 12 of them were on the roster for the team’s regular-season finale vs. the Gamecocks less than a month ago. Eight were starters vs. USC.
Clemson’s bowl game personnel came to light on Monday, as Swinney talked to the media and the team also allowed media to observe some early periods of practice. Clemson formally started Pinstripe Bowl practice on campus late last week.
Here’s a newly revealed list of Clemson players who won’t play in the bowl:
- Starting DT Peter Woods (NFL Draft opt-out)
- Starting DE T.J. Parker (NFL Draft opt-out)
- Starting CB Avieon Terrell (NFL Draft opt-out)
- Starting DT DeMonte Capehart (NFL Draft opt-out)
- Starting WR Antonio Williams (injury)
- Starting LB Wade Woodaz (injury)
- Starting OL Collin Sadler (injury)
- Starting SS Khalil Barnes (transfer portal)
- Reserve LB Dee Crayton (transfer portal)
- Reserve RB Keith Adams Jr. (transfer portal)
- Reserve LB Jamal Anderson (transfer portal)
- Reserve TE Ian Schieffelin (undisclosed)
As a reminder, Clemson football (7-5) is also down a number of full-time or part-time starters who suffered mid-year injuries: OL Elyjah Thurmon, OL Walker Parks, OL Brayden Jacobs, WR Bryant Wesco Jr., TE Olsen Patt-Henry and DE Jahiem Lawson. Rotational true freshman D-lineman Amare Adams is also out for the year.
In total, Swinney said Clemson will be down 27 scholarship players.
“We’ve got a big challenge, but I’m excited about the challenge,” Swinney said Monday, adding that Clemson’s lack of depth “puts a strain on everybody.”
Clemson, Penn State opt-outs shift betting line
Clemson is no stranger to bowl game opt-outs from NFL Draft-bound players. In 2022, DE Myles Murphy opted out of the Orange Bowl vs. Tennessee. In 2023, CB Nate Wiggins, DT Ruke Orhorhoro and LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. opted out of the Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky. Others played in those games before leaving for the NFL.
One notable Clemson player who does plan to suit up in the Pinstripe Bowl is senior quarterback and third-year starter Cade Klubnik. Senior running back Adam Randall has also indicated he’ll play in the bowl game.
Junior defensive end Will Heldt had not declared for the NFL Draft as of Monday and will presumably be available for the bowl before making a draft decision. The Purdue transfer’s presence would be a big boost, as Heldt led the team in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (15) and has started all 12 games this season.
Heldt was at practice Monday and participating.
Swinney said anyone who he didn’t name while running through his list of 27 scholarship players who weren’t available was on the team, practicing and would be available to play in the bowl game.
“We’re not worried about who opted out,” Swinney said. “We’re focused on who opted in. That’s our focus: Who opted in, who’s finishing this game with us.”
Penn State (6-6) is dealing with its fair share of opt-outs, too. As of Monday, the following Nittany Lions have announced they won’t play in the bowl game: OL Vega Ioane, RB Nicholas Singleton, DB Zakee Wheatley and DT Zane Durant.
Singleton finished his career as Penn State’s all-time rushing touchdowns leader, and Penn State’s other three opt-outs were starters. Penn State is in a transitional period with interim coach Terry Smith coaching through the Pinstripe Bowl before Matt Campbell (formerly of Iowa State) takes over the program.
Both teams’ roster changes have caused the game’s point spread to swing wildly. Penn State opened as a three-point favorite in most sportsbooks when the matchup was announced last Sunday. That quickly dropped to Penn State -1.5 and kept dropping. As of Monday, Clemson is now a consensus 4.5-point betting favorite.
2025 Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State
- What: 2025 Pinstripe Bowl
- Who: Clemson (7-5) vs. Penn State (6-6)
- Where: Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York
- When: noon Saturday, Dec. 27
- TV: ABC
- Betting line: Clemson by 4.5 points
- Tickets: Visit pinstripebowl.com
This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 12:58 PM with the headline "Transfers, opt-outs piling up for Clemson football team ahead of Pinstripe Bowl."
