Clemson football adds new player from another Tigers team ... as an O-lineman
Clemson football has added a former track athlete to its roster.
Former Tigers track and field athlete Carlito Jones, a thrower listed at 6-foot-8 and 270 pounds, has walked onto Dabo Swinney’s team as an offensive lineman, according to Clemson’s online roster page.
Jones joins Clemson football as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining. He’s a native of Anderson, South Carolina and competed in football, basketball and track at Pendleton High School.
From 2023-25, Jones competed in the weight throw, hammer throw and discus events for Clemson track and field. He earned five top 10 finishes in various throwing events during his two seasons with that program.
Jones was unranked on 247Sports as a football prospect but earned all-region honors as a starting tackle for Pendleton in 2022, according to his social media. He also played center and power forward for his high school basketball team.
Clemson lists Jones as a member of its 105-man roster but a “walk-on” on its roster page. That means he counts toward the team’s roster limit under the House settlement but, unlike other 2026 signees from high school or the transfer portal, will not initially receive scholarship money.
Even though Clemson graduated three starting offensive linemen from last year’s team, the Tigers have a number of returning veterans with starting experience and signed a large freshman class of offensive linemen. It’s unlikely Jones sees any major playing time for Clemson football during his first year with the team.
At 6-8, Jones is tied with freshman offensive lineman Braden Wilmes as the tallest player on Clemson’s roster.
Under Swinney, the Tigers have been willing to experiment with multi-sport athletes. Last year, former Tigers basketball star Ian Schieffelin became the first Clemson athlete to appear in a men’s basketball and football game in the same academic year since receiver DeAndre Hopkins in 2010-11.
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds is also a member of the Clemson baseball team, as was former Clemson quarterback/receiver Will Taylor. Former men’s soccer goalie Charlie Reed is on the team as a kicker/punter this year, too.
The Tigers finished 7-6 last season, Swinney’s worst record since 2010, and start spring practice Wednesday.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 9:56 AM with the headline "Clemson football adds new player from another Tigers team ... as an O-lineman."
