Clemson offensive lineman enters transfer portal

CLEMSON — Another Clemson player has entered the transfer portal in the middle of the season.

Offensive lineman Paul Tchio has left the team and is in the transfer portal, Dabo Swinney announced Tuesday morning.

Tchio, a sophomore, has appeared in five games this season, with one start. Tchio signed with Clemson as a four-star recruit out of Georgia in the class of 2020.

“Nothing catches me off guard in 2021. Nothing surprises me. Absolutely nothing. Absolutely zero,” Swinney said. “That’s the world we’re in. … Just wants a different opportunity and that’s what we have in college football.”

Will Putnam will also likely be out this week as he is injured. Putnam did not play at Louisville and is doubtful for this weekend as well, leaving Clemson incredibly thin on the offensive line.

“We can’t ship anybody in here right now,” Swinney said.

In addition to the starting five of Jordan McFadden, Marcus Tate, Hunter Rayburn, Mason Trotter and Walker Parks, the Tigers have Trent Howard, Mitchell Mayes, Bryn Tucker, Tristain Leigh and Ryan Linthicum left on the offensive line.

Tucker, Leigh and Linthicum are redshirtting but are now practicing with the two-deep instead of with the scout team.

Tchio is the fourth Clemson player to enter the transfer portal this season, joining running backs Lyn-J Dixon and Michel Dukes and safety Joseph Charleston.

Clemson players out for season

WR Frank Ladson

DT Bryan Bresee

WR Brannon Spector (likely)

WR Will Taylor

S Lannden Zanders

DE Justin Foster

OL Matt Bockhorst

OL John Williams

OL Dietrick Pennington

OL Tayquon Johnson

TE Braden Gallway (likely)

S Joseph Charleston (transfer)

RB Lyn-J Dixon (transfer)

RB Michel Dukes (transfer)

OL Paul Tchio (transfer)