UCF secures transfer of Clemson’s Collin Priest into Big 12

Former Clemson University baseball first baseman Collin Priest has transferred to the University of Central Florida (UCF), placing the left-handed hitter in the Big 12 Conference. The move follows Priest’s entry into the transfer portal earlier this week, with UCF identified as the first known destination for a Clemson player to depart via the portal in the current cycle.

According to reporting by Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo, the acquisition provides the Knights with an experienced offensive presence. Priest retains two seasons of eligibility at UCF, a significant asset for the program as it looks to bolster its lineup for upcoming competitions.

Priest’s tenure at Clemson was marked by immediate impact before being interrupted by injury. In 2025, he started 57 of the Tigers’ 59 games, earning third-team All-ACC honours. His statistical output that season included a .240 batting average, 12 home runs, 11 doubles, and 52 runs batted in, alongside an .887 on-base plus slugging percentage and 47 walks.

The 2026 season saw Priest sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury, preventing him from appearing in games for Clemson. Despite the absence, he has recently returned to competitive play in the MLB Draft League, marking his first regular-season action since the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.

Prior to his time at Clemson, Priest played for the University of Michigan, where he delivered a standout freshman campaign. He hit .279 with 11 home runs and earned All-Big Ten Freshman Team recognition during his single season with the Wolverines before transferring south.