Clemson football losing veteran wide receiver to NCAA transfer portal
A Clemson wide receiver is leaving the program, per reports.
Redshirt junior receiver Troy Stellato plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Monday, Dec. 9, he announced Tuesday night on X (formerly Twitter).
Stellato said in a post that being part of Clemson was “an incredible honor, and I will forever cherish the memories, lessons and relationships I’ve built here.”
“After much thought, prayer and discussions with my family, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. This decision was not made lightly, but it’s what’s best for my future and it’s time to take the next step in my journey.”
Stellato, a former four-star recruit and top 200 prospect nationally, struggled with injuries his first two years on campus and only played in two of a possible 27 games for Clemson 2021-22. But he’s taken a notable step forward since then and has started nine games over the past two seasons for the Tigers.
Stellato had 38 catches for 321 yards and a touchdown in 12 games (six starts) in 2023 and 25 catches for 264 yards and a TD in nine games (five starts) this season.
Stellato, 22, hasn’t played since the Nov. 16 Pitt game because of a hand injury and underwent season-ending surgery to repair his hand later that month.
He would’ve been facing an uphill battle for playing time in 2025 given the emergence of true freshmen wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, who’ve emerged as the top two targets behind star junior WR Antonio Williams.
Stellato explained his reasoning for transferring to The Clemson Insider.
“Didn’t envision myself growing as a player here,” he told the website on Tuesday night after announcing his decision. “Felt disrespected at times and still have no clue how I was demoted after the UVA game. Finally started getting in a rhythm. There was way more out there for me and I wasn’t getting the opportunity.”
Stellato is the first portal entry of the 2024 cycle for coach Dabo Swinney’s program, and he’ll have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
Stellato told Rivals that three schools he’ll initially look at are Florida, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Stellato is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The NCAA transfer portal window for football starts Monday, Dec. 9 (the day after Selection Sunday) and runs through Saturday, Dec. 28.
Although he’s out for the rest of the season with injury and wouldn’t be able to play in the first place, Stellato will not be traveling with the team for the ACC title game vs. SMU this weekend in Charlotte, The Clemson Insider reported.
Clemson football 2024 transfers
- WR Troy Stellato, Dec. 3
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 8:25 PM.
