Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens enters NCAA transfer portal

Clemson offensive lineman Zack Owens has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned.

Owens was a four-star recruit and the No. 20 offensive tackle in the country in the class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry rankings. The 375-pound offensive tackle appeared in two games last season while redshirting. He played 13 offensive snaps on the year.

Zack Owens attended Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in Georgia prior to signing with the Tigers. He was invited to the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Owens decommitted from Clemson at one point as a recruit, before rejoining the class of 2023. He said at the time:

“After a long time of thinking, praying and reconsidering, my family and I have decided that I will stay and continue to be committed to Clemson University,” Owens posted on Twitter in October of 2022. “I want to thank the Clemson coaching staff and my fellow teammates for sticking beside me through this. … I’m 1,000% All In.”

However, now he is set to leave the program.

Former Clemson EDGE Adam Kissayi commits to Minnesota

Zack Owens became the second Clemson player to enter the transfer portal this spring, joining EDGE Adam Kissayi. Over the weekend, Kissayi committed to Minnesota.

Kissayi is clearly a quick decision maker, committing to Clemson less than 24 hours after the Tigers officially offered him. He has now made another fast recruiting choice after entering the transfer portal following his first spring practice with the Tigers.

“I like how it’s a faith-based program,” Kissayi told On3’s Jeremy Johnson at the time of his commitment to Clemson. “Dabo Swinney is a great coach. You go there and there’s no cussing and you know that they work hard day in and day out. A lot of guys that are in the NFL Draft said they wouldn’t be where they are if it wasn’t for Clemson. I can’t agree with them more. Every time I go there, it just feels like home.”

The 6-foot-8, 235-pound true freshman enrolled early at Clemson this January. But he has now clearly had a change of heart following just a few months with the program.

Kissayi played high school football at American Heritage High School in Palm Bay (FL) where he was a three-star recruit. Ranked the No. 507 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 48 EDGE from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He was the 11th player to enter the transfer portal this offseason from Clemson with the Tigers bringing in no players in return. As Swinney continues to not use the portal with 34 players departing from the program and just two joining the program through the transfer portal in the past three offseasons. With Clemson missing out on the College Football Playoff the past three seasons following six straight appearances in the CFP.

“I understand the standard is winning a national championship, do I think that Clemson could look to the portal for one or two Clemson-type guys a cycle? Yes. I think that there are guys that fit the mold of Clemson that are in the portal that would love to go there and help them,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong said.