Update: Clemson key man Blasts Program For Not Being ‘Where It Needed To Be’
Former Clemson Tigers safety Andrew Mukuba recently opened up about his decision to transfer to the Texas Longhorns, returning to his home state. Mukuba’s choice to enter the transfer portal surprised many, as the three-year starter was anticipated to play a key role for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers in the 2024 season.
A former four-star recruit, Mukuba made an immediate impact at Clemson, earning Freshman All-American honors and being named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. Notably, he became the first freshman defensive back to start a season opener for Clemson since 1972. During his time with the Tigers, Mukuba started 10 games in his first season and added 21 more starts over the next two years before opting to move on.
In a candid interview on “Behind The Facemask,” the Austin, Texas native explained his reasons for leaving Clemson. “I felt like I wasn’t improving as much as I should have been at Clemson,” Mukuba said. “I wasn’t being challenged enough to reach my full potential. The program wasn’t at the level it needed to be for me and the team to succeed. After my junior year, it felt like more of the same, so transferring was the right choice for me.”
The Texas Longhorns have gained a valuable player in Mukuba, who has recorded 143 career tackles and is expected to start for the AP No. 4 ranked team as they enter the season.
Meanwhile, Clemson is under scrutiny after a disappointing 2023 season. The Tigers, who were 4-4 at the season’s midpoint, finished strong with five consecutive wins, including a comeback victory over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl. However, head coach Dabo Swinney has faced criticism regarding the program’s direction.
Clemson enjoyed remarkable success between 2015 and 2021, winning two national championships and making six straight College Football Playoff appearances. From 2015 to 2022, the Tigers claimed seven of eight ACC Championships. However, their 9-4 record in 2023 ended a streak of 12 consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins.
Much of the criticism revolves around Clemson’s lack of activity in the transfer portal. The Tigers were the only non-military program not to sign a single transfer in the 2024 cycle. Swinney defended his approach at the ACC spring meetings, stating, “Most of the guys in the portal aren’t good enough to play for us… They’re in the portal because they want to start somewhere, but they’re not good enough to play for us.”
Swinney’s bold stance will need to be validated by results on the field. Clemson’s first major challenge of the upcoming season is a neutral site matchup against AP No. 1 Georgia on August 31 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET on ABC.