Dabo's loyalty is admirable. The culture he has built is formidable. For all we know, his character is unshakeable (at least to any reasonable standard we can hold human beings to).
But Clemson has an issue with loyalty and not in the way you might expect. Clemson and Dabo have shown loyalty to DJ despite his and the offense's struggles, but DJ showing loyalty to Clemson may hurt the team.
First, DJ has the capacity to perform worse and hurt his value even more. If he starts the transfer portal process his mind will be occupied and his focus pointed not toward the next game but toward the future. So why can't Clemson and DJ both look toward the future together?
DJ had his chance. He won a lot of games. I would say he earned that chance. Today, it cannot be denied, he lost any future chances especially if he intends to transfer. If Cade Klubnik is the future leader at Clemson, then Dabo needs to turn Clemson's focus toward the future. Start Cade for the ACC Championship. Clemson has nothing to lose. A loss to Carolina hurts more than any loss and that is the fact and Dabo knows that as well having played at Alabama and hating Auburn. But if Cade wins then Clemson has all the momentum and hope needed to move forward. The bowl game will be a test but even a loss after conquering the conference will not sting with today's loss stinking in the backseat like a pair of soiled underwear. If Cade wins both then the fan base will be renewed and confident and more importantly the team will be confident, focused, and ready.
DJ lost the starting position today. He's probably leaving and not to the NFL. It is time to start Cade or else Dabo and DJ's loyalty will hurt them both. If Cade is so bad he shreds all hope left in the season, then Clemson was doomed to failure regardless.