Tigers Today: 'Team issue' led to Michel Dukes departure

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‘Team issue’ led to Michel Dukes departure

Clemson running back Michel Dukes entered the transfer portal this week, making the third player to enter the portal this season.

A junior, he served as one of the Tigers main return specialists a year ago. With the departure of Travis Etienne and the transfer of Lyn-J Dixon earlier this season, he was expected to take on a larger role in the Clemson offense. Dabo Swinney even called him one of the best athletes on the Tigers roster.

But it obviously never worked out. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound tailback entered the portal on Tuesday night. In just one game this season, he has two carries for seven yards. He was included on the travel roster last week to Syracuse.

“Just had a team issue this week with him and just felt like it was time to move on,” Swinney said Wednesday on Dukes’ departure. “He hasn’t really played. You hate it. Again, that’s kind of where we are with college football. And he is one of the best athletes on this team. It takes a lot more than that. I wish him nothing but the best and I will do anything I can to help him. Just focused on the guys that are here.”

When Swinney was asked if Dukes violated a team rule, Swinney said Dukes violated a team rule and there were “Consequences for that. He decided it was time to move on.”

How Tigers can slow down Kenny Pickett, Pitt offense

First of all, we’re not sure how likely it is that Clemson can hold Pitt under 20 points, even if the Tigers play very well defensively.

Kenny Pickett and company have scored 40-plus points on every team this season outside of last week’s game at Virginia Tech. But even in that game, the score was 28-0 early in the third quarter and Pitt seemed to put it in neutral over the final 25 or so minutes.

ClemsonSports.com senior writer Matt Connolly broke down why the Tigers should draw some confidence from the way it played last year against the Panthers.

In-state schools draw high praise from 2023 four-star OL Markee Anderson

Roebuck Dorman High School junior offensive tackle Markee Anderson doesn’t have an official list of top schools but there are a few major programs starting to peak.

Anderson recently made his debut in On3’s top 300 rankings for the class of 2023. The 101st ranked player in the class of 2023 has offers from Clemson, Florida State, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Arkansas and his latest offer, West Virginia.

He caught up with ClemsonSports.com senior recruiting writer Joseph Hastings to discuss his relationship with the Clemson Staff and in-state school South Carolina.

Counting down

• Clemson at South Carolina: 37 days