Clemson will actively search for a starting interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal this spring, coach Dabo Swinney confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

The decision comes as Swinney confirmed that Mason Trotter will miss “most” of the 2022 season for an undisclosed reason. Hunter Rayburn was forced to medically retire last month due to a neck injury.

Those absences mean Clemson will have to use to the transfer portal to find a solution, which is something Swinney has been reluctant to do in year’s past. Clemson has made very few impactful transfer additions over his tenure.

If Clemson is able to shore up its offensive line — specifically at center — the rest of the group should be in good shape. Jordan McFadden, Walker Parks and Will Putnam all return after making double-digit starts last season. Marcus Tate is also back after making 8 starts in 2021.

For at least the spring, Swinney said Mitchell Mayes will start out at right guard while Putnam slides over to center.

This is a unit that will need to improve significantly in 2022. Clemson’s offensive line has often struggled in pass protection over the past two seasons.

Clemson’s spring game is on April 9.