CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Josh Belk might not leave the state with his transfer.
Josh Belk might not leave the state with his transfer.

Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks


by -

Defensive tackle early-enrollee Josh Belk will transfer out after practicing this spring with Clemson.

Belk chose the Tigers over South Carolina in January 2017 and saw his profile rise during all-star camps over the winter, earning a fifth star in his rating after the Army All-American Bowl week. Indications are that the Gamecocks are a desired transfer destination for Belk.

Belk confirmed the news of the transfer Wednesday afternoon.

"I will be transferring from Clemson University," Belk posted on Twitter. "I appreciate the Clemson staff, fans and Coaching staff. Thanks to Coach Swinney for the opportunity. Nothing bad to say about the University and my time there. Just feel that it’s the best decision for my family and I."

Belk also released a statement through a lawyer on the matter:

"Josh Belk has been released from Clemson University and the Clemson University Football program upon request made by Josh Belk to Coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tiger Football program. Circumstances of Mr Belk's life have led him to request a full, unconditional release from Coach Swinney that was graciously granted by coach Coach Swinney and the (University) in a timely manner. Mr. Belk thanks Clemson University, Coach Dabo Swinney and the entire Clemson Tiger fan base for their support in his life-altering decision. Mr. Belk requests that he and his family be given privacy at this time to explore decisions related to the next chapter of his life. Thank you and God bless."

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney commented on the transfer through a school news release.

“Josh is a good young man from a great family,” said Swinney. “Sometimes circumstances change, as is the case with Josh. We are disappointed he is leaving, but I enjoyed being around him the past few months. He did everything that was asked of him and had an excellent semester academically. I wish him all the best in the years to come.”

His former high school coach Will Mitchell told the News & Reporter that he credited Clemson for granting the unconditional release, adding that Belk's mother is dealing with health issues and Josh wants to be closer to home.

Belk finished an All-State campaign at Lewisville (S.C.) with 116 tackles, 34 for loss, with 11 sacks and seven caused fumbles as a senior.

His exit likely won't impact the upcoming Tigers' season, but with a number of veterans at the position, only three scholarship defensive tackles would be projected to return for the 2019 campaign (Jordan Williams, Darnell Jefferies, Nyles Pinckney). Click here to see Clemson's scholarships on the DL

Belk was recruited by Clemson coaches Jeff Scott and Todd Bates. He said Bates, who coaches Clemson's defensive tackles, played a major factor in him picking Clemson.

"I've never had a connection with someone right off the bat like that," Belk said at the time. "Every time I go up there, there is just this family feel, and it really makes a difference. They showed me how I can succeed in life and not just football."

Belk could be a second recent transfer between the two rivals, joining women's basketball guard Nelly Perry, a graduate transfer to South Carolina for the upcoming season.

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Subject (Replies: 76) Author
spacer TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
TigerNet News®
spacer What is the reason why though?***
gtriple
spacer well did you read it?***
El Tigre 1
spacer Tweets were added afterwards.
gtriple
spacer Re: well did you read it?***
kerigantoo
spacer Re: What is the reason why though?***
Phenomize
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
B9TIGER
spacer Who knows!
lightbulbbill®
spacer How do the coaches allow this?
flyslyw
spacer Re: How do the coaches allow this?
A912
spacer 'cause we all know Dabo is a clown
ringknocker85
spacer Re: How do the coaches allow this?
pugmarks
spacer Re: How do the coaches allow this?
dgcannon39
spacer Re: How do the coaches allow this?
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
A912
spacer Agreed.
gtriple
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
SouthernStyle
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
A912
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
ObiWan
spacer Too bad Winthrop never got a football program off the ground***
Mighty Zep®
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
cbrumme
spacer You can say that again!***
Neal in NC®
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
A912
spacer He was an early enrollee.***
Tickle_It
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
cbrumme
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
deroberts
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
dgcannon39
spacer Wish he would stay but sounds like DaBO
lightbulbbill®
spacer meh...
theclash®
spacer Re: meh...
JDude43
spacer Re: meh...
theclash®
spacer As much as it sucks to see a good player go to a rival
o2bnclemson
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
tigerfootball_48
spacer Was his mom sick when he enrolled
Tickle_It
spacer Re: Was his mom sick when he enrolled
fencebusters®
spacer Re: Was his mom sick when he enrolled
A912
spacer Re: Was his mom sick when he enrolled
Xenotiger
spacer Re: Was his mom sick when he enrolled
Xenotiger
spacer At least we'll have 3 scholarship placekickers next year***
Tickle_It
spacer Re: At least we'll have 3 scholarship placekickers next year***
Xenotiger
spacer Re: Was his mom sick when he enrolled
dgcannon39
spacer He/his family got an attorney. Hmmm...
CootNDawgHater
spacer Re: He/his family got an attorney. Hmmm...
imacutiger12
spacer Re: He/his family got an attorney. Hmmm...
dgcannon39
spacer The coots and I have feeling the NCAA will be looking into them
CootSmackdown16®
spacer OK
BethelBoy
spacer Re: OK
SouthernStyle
spacer Re: OK
All In on Orange®
spacer Re: OK
SouthernStyle
spacer Just Speculation
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: Just Speculation
SouthernStyle
spacer Re: Just Speculation
deroberts
spacer Re: Just Speculation
dgcannon39
spacer Re: Just Speculation
Clemalum07
spacer he going to the coots? i say bye***
tgrfan42069
spacer Re: he going to the coots? i say bye***
RayHartFordTiger
spacer Re: he going to the coots? i say bye***
dgcannon39
spacer With all the threads flying around on this I'm gonna get my
BerserkTiger
spacer Re: With all the threads flying around on this I'm gonna get my
dgcannon39
spacer Prayers for his Mom's health.....
metiger
spacer Re: Prayers for his Mom's health.....
dgcannon39
spacer He looked really good in the spring. Tough loss for us
Clemson81to85
spacer Re: He looked really good in the spring. Tough loss for us
dgcannon39
spacer Well, your either first or last***
TigerCook®
spacer You either contract you are as you're or your...sorry
RC Tiger®
spacer I'm going to trust Dabo on this
Tim317
spacer My take, as if anyone cares.
ShawnC
spacer Re: My take, as if anyone cares.
dgcannon39
spacer Re: TNET: Reports: Clemson freshman DL to transfer, possibly to Gamecocks
BBBII®
spacer Not a single similarity...And it's Dupree***
CM Shack®
spacer Re: Not a single similarity...And it's Dupree***
BBBII®