Talented edge rusher who played for Deion Sanders, Colorado transfers to Clemson
Clemson’s eighth transfer commit is a big one.
Former Colorado edge rusher London Merritt has committed to the Tigers, per multiple reports Wednesday. Merritt, a former four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 201 recruit, comes to Clemson with three years of eligibility left.
Merritt was impactful for coach Deion Sanders and Colorado in 2025, recording 25 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and a sack in 12 games (one start). His eight tackles for loss were the second most by a true freshman in the Big 12 and fourth most in the NCAA, according to Pro Football Focus.
Merritt (6-3, 250) was named to PFF’s nationwide All-Freshman Team and also received an honorable mention in Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year voting. He is originally from the Atlanta area but played his senior year of high school at IMG Academy. 247Sports considers him a three-star portal recruit.
On3 Sports has Merritt ranked even higher, as the No. 19 available edge rusher.
Dabo Swinney’s program has now added eight transfers (all on defense).
Merritt could fill a key role at defensive end, where Clemson needs star power alongside senior returner Will Heldt after T.J. Parker left early for the NFL Draft.
Clemson football 2025-26 transfer portal
Transfers in (8)
- Penn State DB Elliot Washington II
- Cal LB Luke Ferrelli
- Old Dominion S Jerome Carter III
- Auburn CB Donovan Starr
- Southern Miss S Corey Myrick
- West Georgia DT Kourtney Kelly
- Oklahoma DT Markus Strong
- Colorado DE London Merritt
Transfers out (14)
- ATH Marquise Henderson (Samford)
- DB Shelton Lewis (Arkansas)
- LB Dee Crayton
- RB Keith Adams Jr.
- S Khalil Barnes (Georgia)
- LB Jamal Anderson
- S Rob Billings
- TE Josh Sapp
- DE Caden Story
- DT Stephiylan Green (LSU)
- DE Markus Dixon
- S Ricardo Jones
- DT Champ Thompson
- OL Rowan Byrne
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Talented edge rusher who played for Deion Sanders, Colorado transfers to Clemson."
