QB among 2 big Clemson offensive names in transfer portal

Two Clemson football players are seeking new football homes for next season.

Tigers’ sophomore quarterback Taisun Phommachanh and wide receiver Frank Ladson Jr. have both entered the transfer portal, confirmed by Clemson athletics. Matt Zenitz of On3 reported the news first.

Eight Clemson football players have now entered the transfer portal since the start of the season, with four departing this week. On Monday, linebacker Kane Patterson entered the transfer portal with safety Ray Thornton opting to transfer on Thursday.

Phommachanh, a redshirt sophomore, was originally thought to be out this season after suffering a torn Achilles during Clemson’s spring game. He only needed four months to recover.

The Connecticut native appeared in six games and threw for 131 yards with a touchdown. When sophomore starting quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei struggled at various points in the season, some thought Phommachanh might get a start. He saw more time later in the season, but never ran out first.

Phommachanh was a four-star quarterback coming out of Avon Old Farms High School. His brother, Tyler, is a quarterback at UConn.

Uiagalelei and Will Taylor, who went out with an ACL tear early in the season, are the only other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Hunter Helms and Billy Wiles are both walk-ons. Clemson’s quarterback room will get some cushion with Class of 2022 commit Cade Klubnik.

While Taisun Phommachanh came back from injury, Ladson wasn’t as lucky. The Miami native struggled with injury during the spring prior to the season and only played five games this year due to a groin injury, which required surgery on Oct. 21. In that time, the former four-star recruit totaled 19 yards on four receptions.

The news of the two transfers broke while Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney was in Columbia watching his youngest son, Clay, compete for D.W. Daniel High School in the Class 3A state championship.

Clemson players in the transfer portal

• Taisun Phommachanh, QB

• Lyn-J Dixon, RB (verbally committed to West Virginia)

• Michel Dukes, RB (verbally committed to USF)

• Frank Ladson, WR

• Paul Tchio, OL

• Kane Patterson, LB

• Joseph Charleston, DB

• Ray Thornton, DB