Traditionalists out there might hold their noses upon reading this, but this is the time when deals are getting done.
The current portal window closes Dec. 28, and our Paul Strelow has done a comprehensive job of covering the talent-procurement angle.
ALSO SEE: MONDAY INSIDER | Swinney begins assessing the body of work of his defense | A Clemson defense unfit for the moment | Clemson's verbal commitments
Last week gave us compelling evidence that Swinney and Clemson are committed to being players in the portal game.
Some folks dismissed the clamor over Clemson adding a former JUCO receiver from Southeast Missouri State.
Because don't think for a second that culture alone was what attracted Heldt to Clemson. A major commitment of dollars was a big part of it, too.
To that end, Clemson has decided that money isn't going to be the reason it loses current big-ticket players.
As Tigerillustrated.com has chronicled, the athletics department is committing itself to the maximum $20.5 million allowed in revenue share that officially begins next summer. And football is going to get well over 80 percent of that, according to our information.
For the market in general, numbers are inflated in large part because the time between now and the summer is essentially non-capped. Thus schools are loading up NIL deals in a race to the finish line, and of course agents are doing agent things and driving up the supposed fair-market value of their clients.
But apart from that, there is a more authentic fair-market value brought by big-ticket players.
Twice over the last week Cade Klubnik was asked if he plans to return to Clemson next season and he elected not to comment.
Under the previous model this might've incited panic.
Under the current model, this is simply a high-profile quarterback smartly not saying anything because he (or his agent) is about to enter negotiations with Clemson.