As the Clemson Tigers look to prepare for their eventual bowl game, Dabo Swinney’s program will now be down at least one quarterback. Tigers QB Hunter Helms, a former walk-on, who was placed on scholarship prior to his second season, announced on Tuesday that he plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Helms made the announcement on his personal X account.
“I couldn’t have had a better four years,” Helms’ statement read. “I have learned so many life lessons and have gained lifelong friends while doing it. The many things I learned will be with me for the rest of my life. I am thankful for the coaches, trainers, and staff that helped me be my best every day on and off the field.
“I want to thank all my teammates and roommates. Y’all are the ones who have made these past four years so special. It truly is a brotherhood and Clemson is a better place because y’all are there.
“After careful consideration, I would like to say I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”
This past season, Helms served as the primary backup to Cade Klubnik.
Helms entered what would be his final season at Clemson having completed 14-of-25 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns over five career games (48 snaps). Appearing in four games this season, Helms completed 9-of-12 attempts for 83 yards, filling in for Klubnik in mop-up duty in wins over Charleston Southern, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Tech.
Helms walked on Senior Day and took the final snap of Clemson’s win over No. 20 North Carolina.
Now, he’s in the portal and will look to take his remaining year(s) of eligibility elsewhere, likely in search of more consistent playing time.
For Clemson, on the flip side, it will now be about replacing Helms inside the quarterback room. In addition to Helms entering the portal, graduate transfer Paul Tyson is out of eligibility, which would leave the Tigers with two blue-chip quarterback recruits in Cade Klubnik and Christopher Vizzina, as well as a redshirt freshman and preferred walk-on in Trent Pearman.
Whether Clemson places Pearman on scholarship remains to be seen, but the Tigers could be in the market to add another quarterback in the mold of Helms, and Tyson.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.