Recruiting rankings are a year-round business with June and July particularly eventful months that see schools rise and fall.
This year is no different. To that end, ESPN released its updated 2025 college football recruiting class rankings ($) Friday. Clemson slipped one spot from No. 10 to No. 11. Oregon was the biggest riser after the Ducks landed top wide receiver recruit Dakorien Moore, who previously decommitted from LSU.
Clemson ranked one spot below Miami (No. 10) among the top ACC teams on ESPN’s list. Running back Gideon Davidson was listed as the Tigers’ top offensive recruit with safety Tae Harris as the top defensive recruit by ESPN staff writer Craig Haubert.
Haubert says of Clemson:
“Despite ranking just 15th for the 2024 cycle, the Tigers have already checked several boxes in 2025 with big commitments at multiple positions. Davidson and in-state prospect Marquise Henderson are a pair of key running back pledges. Davidson, a top-five running back, runs with a nice blend of size, speed and power. He posted impressive numbers as a junior, rushing for 2,700 yards and 43 touchdowns. Henderson is more slightly built at roughly 5-10, 170 pounds, but has explosive, big-play speed. He rushed for more than 2,300 yards as a junior. Four-star quarterback Blake Hebert missed most of his junior season with an injury, but he has good size, he has a smooth and compact delivery, and he moves well and extends plays.
On defense, the Tigers have particularly made a splash in recruiting at defensive line, having picked up commitments from three linemen on 247Sports’ Top247 list for the class of 2025.
Haubert highlighted the Tigers’ addition of Ari Watford, ranked the third best defensive end in the nation in ESPN’s rankings and the No. 31 overall player.
Adds Haubert:
“Watford is a lengthy player with good initial quickness who can develop into a disruptive edge rusher. In the trenches, Clemson landed defensive tackle Amare Adams, the top-ranked player in South Carolina. The Tigers also pulled tackle Isaiah Campbell out of neighboring North Carolina. Campbell has a big frame and good movement skills. One-time Georgia commit Tae Harris is a nice addition to the secondary. He projects to safety, but he’s versatile enough to play corner. He posted some of the top numbers on the spring camp circuit, including a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash.”
Clemson has seven players in the ESPN 300 recruiting database. The Tigers’ 2025 class is currently ranked No. 14 overall by 247Sports while On3 has them at No. 7.
RELATED: Clemson has seven recruits in updated Top247 rankings
Among the teams Clemson ranks ahead of on ESPN’s list are defending national champion Michigan (No. 12), Auburn (No. 13), Tennessee (No. 14), Texas (No. 21) and Florida State (No. 22).
Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary.