Clemson junior linebacker enters transfer portal

Clemson has suffered another departure to the transfer portal on Monday.

Junior linebacker LaVonta Bentley is in the portal, On3 has learned.

Bentley is the ninth Tigers player to enter the portal this season, joining quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Billy Wiles, receivers EJ Williams and Dacari Collins, running back Kobe Pace, defensive lineman Kevin Swint, cornerback Fred Davis and linebacker Sergio Allen.

Bentley appeared in all 13 games for Clemson this season, recording 20 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss. He was particularly useful in short-yardage situations for the Tigers defense.

The hard-hitting linebacker appeared in 11 games last season, making a pair of starts. He appeared in 40 games during his time at Clemson.

The Tigers are set to return at least a pair of starters at linebacker in sophomores Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. It appears likely that junior Trenton Simpson will enter the NFL draft.

Bentley signed with Clemson out of Alabama as a four-star recruit in the class of 2019.

Transfer portal background information

The NCAA Transfer Portal, which covers every NCAA sport at the Division I, II and III levels, is a private database with names of student-athletes who wish to transfer. It is not accessible to the public.

The process of entering the portal is done through a school’s compliance office. Once a player provides written notification of an intent to transfer, the office enters the player’s name in the database and everything is off and running. The compliance office has 48 hours to comply with the player’s request and that request cannot be refused.

Once a player’s name shows up in the portal, other schools can contact the player. Players can change their minds at any point and withdraw from the portal. However, once a player enters the portal, the current scholarship no longer has to be honored. In other words, if a player enters the portal but decides to stay, the school is not obligated to provide a scholarship anymore.