Priority Sunshine State cornerback names Clemson as finalist

Clemson is in the mix for another highly-touted four-star defensive back prospect.

Clemson is still in the mix for one of the nation’s top defensive recruits in the class of 2023.

Four-star cornerback Damari Brown took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce his four finalists of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Miami.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Florida native is the No. 25 cornerback prospect in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

Brown last visited Clemson on June 3 after head coach Dabo Swinney offered him on Jan. 12.

Recruited by defensive backs coach Mike Reed, Brown could join a Clemson recruiting class that most outlets rank as a top 10 class in the nation.

“I love the environment at Clemson,” he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “Coach Reed, the DB coach, is a guy that has done it before by putting guys in the NFL. Clemson would be a good spot for me to go play and be a top corner.”

So far, Clemson has already landed five defensive back prospects in its 2023 class: Avieon Terrell, Brandon Strozier, Robert Billings, Misun Kelley and Shelton Lewis.

While Brown remains high on the Tigers, On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives Miami a 90.1 percent chance and Clemson a 4.4 percent chance to land him.

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Catching up with Clemson 4-star CB commit

Branden Strozier had never started off his high school career 1-0. “To win the first game of my senior season, that felt real good,” he told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview last week. Now, Clemson’s four-star cornerback commit out of St. …

Branden Strozier had never started off his high school career 1-0.

“To win the first game of my senior season, that felt real good,” he told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview last week.

Now, Clemson’s four-star cornerback commit out of St. Francis High School (Georgia) can enjoy being 2-0 with his teammates, following a 21-13 win over Landmark Christian High (Georgia) this past Friday. 

Through two games, Strozier has recorded five tackles, three pass breakups, an interception and one reception for about 40 yards. With Strozier’s senior season getting off to a hot start, are there any goals that he has to finish out his final high school football campaign?

“One of my main goals, for me personally, is to win Region Player of the Year,” Strozier said. “I got Defensive Player of the Year last year, so it kind of adds an interesting aspect to it. A team goal — we want to first win the region. That’s the main goal. We haven’t done that yet. If we win the region, that’ll be real big for us.

He’s been able to give Clemson fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of in the backend of the secondary thus far. 

Mike Reed, who served as Strozier’s primary recruiter, already knows what he’s capable of. Regarding the messaging he’s heard from Clemson’s cornerbacks coach, Strozier said it’s about maintaining who he is as a player, being that same player who they recruited to come to Clemson and improving off of that.

Strozier estimates that he speaks to Reed and Wesley Goodwin about once or twice a week.

Strozier said that he’ll likely be at Clemson’s first two home games of the season. So, he’ll be at Memorial Stadium for when the Tigers play host to Furman and Louisiana Tech on consecutive Saturdays.

Having never experienced a Clemson gameday atmosphere before, it goes without saying that Strozier is excited about the upcoming season. He was in attendance for the program’s spring game back in April, but due to construction, there were no pregame traditions like running down the hill and things of that nature.

Speaking of being back in Tiger Town, Strozier detailed his last time on campus, which was for the program’s All-In Cookout at the end of July.

“It was great. Being able to see most of the class, except for Markus (Dixon), it was good to see everybody back together,” he said. “To see what we have built in this class in a three-month time period, it’s big. I don’t think it built up this fast last year. Having (Thompson five-star DL) Peter Woods, all the big names coming and great players, it feels good knowing I got them on my side.”

Since then, Clemson has added a few more verbal commitments to its 2023 recruiting class, with two of those coming in the secondary. Fellow Peach State natives, Milton four-star safety Rob Billings and Stockbridge three-star cornerback Shelton Lewis have joined Clemson’s class of 2023 commits.

“It’s good to know now, I’m pretty sure we can see in the DB group, that we got all the guys that we wanted,” Strozier said. “Just picked up Shelton. So, it’s good knowing that we don’t have to worry about too many changes now.”

Now, Strozier’s only worry is having a strong senior season.

— Photo for this article courtesy of @13randen_ and recruits.clemson on Instagram.

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The Insider Report: Upcoming visitors, what’s next for Clemson’s 2023 class and more

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend. Notes on Clemson commits If you’ve been following our recruiting coverage as of late, you’d know that we’ve spoken to a couple of high school head …

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report.

We hope everyone had a great weekend.

Notes on Clemson commits

If you’ve been following our recruiting coverage as of late, you’d know that we’ve spoken to a couple of high school head coaches, who coach Clemson’s class of 2023 commits. 

We spoke to both Matthew Forester, who coaches five-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina at Birmingham (Alabama) Briarwood Christian School and Ben Reaves, who coaches four-star safety Robert Billings at Alpharetta (Georgia) Milton High School.

With Forester, we asked Briarwood’s head coach about the usage of the run-pass option in the Lions’ offense and how it could benefit Vizzina before he heads off to Clemson.

“That’s something I think for me personally, I got comfortable with this year,” Forester said. “And so, we’re doing a pretty good bit of that throughout the summer and fall camp. It’s something that as the season goes, we’ll bring more and more into that. A couple of big catches from (Week 1) were just RPOs and him reading an out.”

The run-pass option has been a fixture in Clemson’s offense for quite some time now, so getting comfortable with those types of offensive concepts would certainly benefit Vizzina before he graduates into a college offense in January.

“I think it’ll be a neat thing,” Forester continued. “I think (Brandon) Streeter will use that. I think it’ll be an enjoyable part of his growth. I think it’ll be something when he goes to Clemson, there won’t be a concept that he doesn’t feel comfortable translating high school into Clemson.” 

Talking with Reaves, the line of questioning was similar in the sense that it revolved around Billings at the next level, but he gave a better feel for what his expectations are and what position we could see the big-time safety play at the next.

“What he’s got going for him is that he’s got such a big frame,” Reaves said. “He’s so long and so fast, that they can literally mold him into whatever they want him to be. Anywhere from a safety to potentially an outside backer, just because he’s got the body that can do it. The body that can handle it. And the skills to go along with it. 

“I think ultimately, he’s gonna be best fit being a strong safety because that’s just gonna put him closer to contact and that’s what he’s good at — finding the ball, getting to the ball and knocking the crap out of somebody, play after play. I think ultimately that’ll be a role that’ll fit him and he’ll enjoy.”

Commit on what’s next for Clemson’s 2023 class

Speaking of Clemson’s class of 2023 commits, we recently spoke with Alpharetta (Georgia) St Francis High’s Branden Strozier. While the four-star cornerback has enjoyed a strong start to his senior season, we asked him about the uncommitted prospects that he and the rest of the commits are focused on recruiting at the moment.

While we’ve already shed light on those two prospects, Strozier offered his thoughts on recruiting both Phenix City (Alabama) Central high four-star defensive end Tomarrion Parker and Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett high four-star defensive lineman Kayden McDonald.

Parker, who picked up an offer from Clemson on Aug. 11, has already set two gameday visits. As we previously reported, Parker will be on campus for Clemson’s home opener against Furman on Sept. 10 for an unofficial visit. He’ll return to Tiger Town the weekend of Oct. 22 for Clemson’s game against Syracuse.

As for McDonald, who reported a Clemson offer back in May, he announced a commitment date of Oct. 31. Right now, McDonald is set to take his official visit the weekend of Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, for the South Carolina game. Likely, McDonald will also make his way back up to Clemson for a game day visit before he ultimately makes his decision.

“That’s the ones that we are really trying to get,” Strozier said. “Because before them, we were focused on getting Ronan (Hanafin). Once we got Ronan, they are the priorities now. That’s what we are looking to get.”

Prospects lining up game-day visits

We wanted to shed some light on some upcoming game day visits. We fully expect Willis (Texas) five-star quarterback DJ Lagway and Jefferson (Georgia) five-star linebacker Sammy Brown to make gameday visits this fall. Neither one has officially set a date, but the expectation is that it will be settled after Sept. 1, when Clemson’s coaching staff can directly contact both junior prospects.

One prospect that has already set a game day visit, as we previously reported, is Fort Lauderdale (Florida) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star wide receiver James Madison II, who will be at Memorial Stadium for the Clemson-N.C. State game on Saturday, Oct. 1.

“I’m really excited,” Madison said. “I know they go all in for game days. I’m really excited to be up there.”

Another prospect that plans on making a game-day visit to Memorial Stadium this fall is Buford (Georgia) four-star linebacker Jadon Perlotte. The sophomore in the class of 2025 was looking at visiting Clemson this summer, but that didn’t end up materializing.

While he wasn’t able to say which game he was attending, Perlotte said that it’ll be one of Clemson’s first games. It’ll be his first time in Tiger Town since March 12.

Perlotte (6-4, 210) currently ranks as the nation’s No. 5 linebacker and the No. 33 overall prospect in the class of 2025, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

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Friday Night Lights: Clemson commits make their season debuts

The majority of Clemson’s class of 2023 commits opened up their senior season on Friday night. Rome (Georgia) four-star defensive lineman Stephiylan Green and St. Francis (Georgia) High four-star cornerback Branden Strozier led the way with dominant …

The majority of Clemson’s class of 2023 commits opened up their senior season on Friday night.

Rome (Georgia) four-star defensive lineman Stephiylan Green and St. Francis (Georgia) High four-star cornerback Branden Strozier led the way with dominant performances. 

In Rome’s 16-6 win over the University of Creekside, Green received the Robbie Hunter MVP award for his efforts — five tackles (1.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks — in the Corky Kell Classic. As for Strozier, he recorded two tackles, two pass breakups, an interception and one reception for 40 yards in St Francis’ 35-0 win over Providence Christian Academy.

While Buford (Georgia) routed Thompson (Alabama) High 38-7, Clemson’s five-star defensive lineman commit Peter Woods unofficially recorded three tackles (two for loss) and a fumble recovery. Woods was said to be dominant among those in attendance, that’s why the numbers posed above are unofficial.

Here are other scores from games involving Clemson commits this weekend:

QB Christopher Vizzina, Briarwood Christian (Alabama) School: 48-0 loss vs. Clay-Chalkville

OL Zechariah Owens, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (Georgia): 50-49 win vs. Brentwood Academy (Tennessee)

DL Vic Burley, Warner Robins (Georgia) High: 26-10 loss vs. Lee County

DL AJ Hoffler, Woodward Academy (Georgia): 38-19 win vs. Trinity Christian

LB Dee Crayton, Denmark (Georgia): 35-13 loss vs. Roswell

CB Avieon Terrell, Westlake (Georgia): 21-17 loss vs. North Cobb

S Robert Billings, Milton (Georgia): 17-7 loss vs. Lipscomb (Tennessee) Academy

* Stockbridge (Georgia) High’s Shelton Lewis and Mill Creek (Georgia) High’s Jamal Anderson both play Saturday, Aug. 20.

* Rockwall (Texas) four-star WR Noble Johnson, Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Massaschusttes) four-star WR Ronan Hanafin, First Baptist Academy (Florida) four-star tight end Olsen Patt Henry, Archbishop Wood (Pennsylvania) three-star tight end Markus Dixon, Permian (Texas) four-star offensive lineman Harris Sewell, Vandegrift (Texas) four-star offensive lineman Ian Reed, St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) four-star defensive end David Ojiegbe, Sumner (Florida) four-star safety Kylen Webb were all not in action Friday.

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Clemson football 2023 recruiting class tracker

Clemson football is on a recruiting tear. Check out the Tigers 2023 class so far.

Updated 8/9

We are in full swing with the 2023 recruiting cycle, with this past month being a busy one for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program.

There have been ups and downs during the process, but the Tigers have had a great start in the 23′ class. Though the team has dealt with decommitments from four-star wide receiver Nathanial Joseph and three-star tight end Reid Mikeska, Clemson still ranks among the top of 247Sports 2023 recruit team rankings.

According to the 247Sports rankings, Friday’s addition of five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods has pushed Clemson up to the No.3 ranked class in the country with eleven commits and 260.28 total points.

Swinney and the Tigers are one of the hottest teams on the recruiting trail right now after snagging Woods from his home state and power house program, Alabama.

Here is a look at the Tigers’ current 2023 class with their 247Sports composite ranking:

Clemson recruiting weekend wrap-up

Clemson’s first-ever June official visit weekend starting to pay off

Clemson is coming off of a big weekend on the recruiting front. Following the first weekend of June official visits in the Dabo Swinney era, the Tigers have since gained favorable ground with some big-time recruits as well as garnering three new class of 2023 commitments as of Tuesday afternoon. Here is what we know.

According to Steve Wiltfong from 247Sports.com, Clemson has caught the eye of at least nine recruits who took official visits last weekend including, but not limited to: tight end Marcus Dixon, offensive lineman Conner Lew, wide receivers Ahmaud Brown and Ronan Hanafin, cornerback Damari Brown, linebacker Jamal Anderson and defensive linemen AJ Hoffler, T.J. Searcy, and Darron Reed.

Several other 2023 recruits have since listed Clemson as a finalist including four-star wide receiver Noble Brown, four-star safety Derek Williams, four-star edge defender Colton Vasek, and cornerback Damari Brown.

The Tigers picked up three more verbal commitments Monday and Tuesday following the official visit weekend. Four-star cornerback Avieon Terrell, former Tiger A.J. Terrell’s brother, announced his verbal commitment to Clemson on Monday while four-star offensive lineman Ian Reed and three-star tight end Olson Patt Henry shared their decisions to join the Tigers on Tuesday.

With the additions of Reed, Terrell, and Henry to the 2023 Class this week, Clemson now has seven recruits verbally committed including quarterback Christopher Vizzina, receiver Nathaniel Joseph, edge defender David Ojiegbe, and cornerback Branden Strozier.

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Clemson commit says Tigers’ 2023 class is ‘about to heat up’

St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star cornerback commit Branden Strozier took his official visit to Clemson over the weekend with his family and once again came away impressed with everything the school had to offer. Strozier committed to the …

St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star cornerback commit Branden Strozier took his official visit to Clemson over the weekend with his family and once again came away impressed with everything the school had to offer.

Strozier committed to the Tigers on May 20, choosing Clemson over Alabama and Tennessee.

The Clemson Insider caught up with Strozier to get the details on his one and only official visit.

How did you enjoy the official visit?

Strozier: “This was the best visit I could have ever went on. “

What was the highlight of the visit?

Strozier:” Being able to go to Coach Swinney’s house and bond with the other recruits and have fun with them.”

Who came with you on the visit?

Strozier: “My two parents and grandparents came with me.”

How did your family enjoy the visit?

Strozier: “My family loved everything about the visit, all aspects of it.”

Who was your player host and what was it like spending time with that person?

Strozier: “I had (true freshman cornerback) Toriano Pride as my host and it was great just having him around and getting to know him and him being able to show and tell me what Clemson is about.”

What did you hear from the coaches during the visit?

Strozier: “It really has just been welcoming from all of the coaching staff and their families.”

Did you hear of any players committing?

Strozier: “From what I can tell this ’23 class is about to heat up.”

— Photo for this article courtesy of @13rnaden_ on Instagram.

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Clemson listed as finalist by top-40 2023 recruit

Clemson has been named as a finalist by another top 2023 recruit.

One day after Clemson hosted official visits for 30 different 2023 recruits, a highly-touted safety has put the Tigers in his final eight.

According to On3Recruits, four-star safety Derek Williams has trimmed his list down to Clemson, Miami, LSU, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Out of Westgate High School in New Iberia, La., Williams is 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 2 safety and No. 38 overall national recruit in the class of 2023.

Over the past several days, other four-star recruits have listed Clemson as a finalist, including edge defender Colton Vasek and cornerback Damari Brown.

Clemson’s current 2023 class has four verbal commitments: four-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina, four-star wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph, four-star edge David Ojiegbe and three-star cornerback Branden Strozier.

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Top prospects flocking to Tiger Town: Previewing Clemson’s big official visit weekend

Clemson’s big official visit weekend is here. A slew of Clemson’s top targets will be on campus for their official visits this weekend, as the Tigers play host to official visitors in June for the first time under head coach Dabo Swinney. It’s …

Clemson’s big official visit weekend is here.

A slew of Clemson’s top targets will be on campus for their official visits this weekend, as the Tigers play host to official visitors in June for the first time under head coach Dabo Swinney. It’s something they haven’t done in the past, and Swinney recently went in-depth on the change in their official visit policy, explaining that the only prospects being brought in for June official visits are ones who have already been on campus at Clemson in the past for unofficial visits.

TCI has confirmed that more than two dozen prospects in the 2023 class will be making their official visits to Clemson this weekend, including the Tigers’ four commitments.

The official visit weekend runs from today through Sunday, with a casino/game night, Clemson Scavenger Hunt and dinner at Swinney’s house among the highlights on the schedule over the course of the weekend.

As the Tigers get set for the big official visit weekend, The Clemson Insider breaks down the official visitors by position and gives a rundown of the names expected to be on campus this weekend:

Quarterback

Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Ala.) Christopher Vizzina (committed)

Vizzina committed to Clemson on April 12 over schools like Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Auburn, Ohio State and Georgia.

“It really came down to I went across the country, I went to so many different places and normally a guy from Alabama kind of stays South, doesn’t visit the North and I mean, I went everywhere,” Vizzina said. “And I just kept coming back to Clemson and I kept realizing there’s nowhere else like Clemson.

“I was sold on that. I’ve been building these relationships with the coaches forever now. I mean really a couple of years. It was really a no-brainer.”

He understands the significance of this weekend from a recruiting class standpoint and will certainly do his job as the vocal leader of this class. Vizzina is said to be having a good feeling about this weekend, which certainly bodes well for Clemson.

Running Back

Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star RB Jeremiah Cobb

Cobb released his final four in late May, including Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU and Texas. This, of course, came after the 5-foot-11, 185-pound rising senior became one of the latest recipients of a Clemson offer on May 12.

“They’re pretty high up over most of these schools,” Cobb said. “It’s a really great program filled with great people.”

Cobb, a consensus four-star prospect, is considered by 247Sports to be the nation’s No. 19 running back and the No. 295 prospect in the nation for the class of 2023.

Wide Receivers

Lakeland (Fla.) four-star WR Tyler Williams, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge, Mass.) four-star Ronan Hanafin, Edison (Miami, Fla.) four-star WR Nathaniel Joseph (committed) and Rolesville (Raleigh, N.C.) four-star WR Noah Rogers

In early May, Williams dropped a top-10 featuring Clemson along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Syracuse, Southern Cal and USF. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Williams on Jan. 29, when he visited for the program’s elite junior day. Williams told TCI after he got offered that he would be put in a “great position” if he were to go to Clemson.

Hanafin earned an offer from the Tigers after he made an unofficial visit on March 31. Speaking recently with TCI, Hanafin indicated that the Tigers have had made him a priority and he’s in constant contact with both Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham.

Joseph, a four-star prospect from Edison High School in Miami, Fla., became the first commit in Clemson’s 2023 class when he announced his verbal pledge to the Tigers on Sept. 10, 2021.

Rogers dropped a top-five last month featuring Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, North Carolina and N.C. State. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Rogers on Jan. 12. Rogers (6-2, 180) is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of North Carolina for the 2023 class by all the major recruiting services. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is the No. 10 wide receiver and No. 59 overall prospect in his class.

Tight Ends

First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star TE Olsen Patt Henry and Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) three-star TE Markus Dixon 

Henry, who picked up an offer from the Tigers earlier last month, dropped a top schools list featuring Clemson, Minnesota, Duke, Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Henry, who lists close to 20 total offers, mentioned Rutgers, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisville and Oklahoma as the schools recruiting him the hardest at the time he spoke with TCI.

The Tigers have not yet offered Dixon, who is considered by both Rivals and 247Sports to be the nation’s No. 27-ranked tight end in the 2023 class. In addition to Clemson, Dixon is planning on visiting Oregon, Cincinnati and Texas A&M. Dixon included all three schools mentioned above in his top-10 list, which he dropped in early February. Those remaining seven programs are Pitt, Rutgers, Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Offensive Linemen

Odessa (Texas) Permian four-star IOL Harris Sewell, Acworth (Ga.) Kennesaw Mountain three-star IOL Connor Lew, Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman four-star OT Markee Anderson, Mcdonough (Ga.) Eagle’s Landing Christian four-star OT Zechariah Owens, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift four-star OT Ian Reed

In April, Sewell dropped a top-five featuring Clemson along with Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Sewell on Nov. 1, just a couple of days after he was in attendance as an unofficial visitor for Clemson’s 30-20 win over Florida State. He also visited Clemson last July. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is ranked as a top-100 national prospect in the 2023 class by both ESPN (No. 65) and the 247Sports Composite (No. 76).

Lew released his final four in late May, including Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and Miami, and announced that he would be taking official visits to all four of those schools in June. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder was a first-team All-State performer last season and lists around two dozen scholarship offers, including offers from schools such as Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

In addition to Clemson, Anderson has also set official visits to North Carolina (June 8-10), LSU (June 17-19) and South Carolina (June 24-26). Those three schools, along with Clemson, comprise the top-four schools list that Anderson released on April 30. The 6-6, 303-pounder has made numerous trips to Tiger Town since receiving an offer from Clemson back in September 2021.

Owens, who was most recently on campus to watch Clemson’s first scrimmage of the spring at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, March 30, indicated to TCI after making visits to Clemson and Florida State this spring that the two schools were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in his recruitment. Owens, ranked as the nation’s No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 66 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports, received an offer from Clemson while on campus for Clemson’s Elite Visit Day in early March.

Reed has been on Clemson’s campus once before, when he made an unofficial visit in conjunction with the April 9 spring game and picked up an offer from the Tigers. The nation’s No. 22 offensive tackle in the 2023 class per 247Sports, Reed has also set official visits to Wisconsin (June 10-12), Oklahoma State (June 14-16) and Texas (June 24-26), while he will make an unofficial visit to Alabama from June 17-19. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder is planning to make his commitment in mid-August, right before the start of his senior season.

Defensive Linemen 

Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson five-star Peter Woods, Rome (Ga.) four-star Stephiylan Green, Thomaston (Ga.) Upson-Lee four-star T.J. Searcy, Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star A.J. Hoffler, Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville four-star Hunter Osborne, Highland Home (Ala.) four-star Keldric Faulk, Columbus (Ga.) Carver four-star Darron Reed 

Woods (6-4, 265) is rated as a five-star prospect by ESPN and the 247Sports Composite. He is ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 9 overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN, while the composite rankings tab him as the No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 27 overall prospect in his class. In late March, Woods announced a final-four-schools list featuring Clemson along with Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma. Jackson State recently offered Woods, and he is legitimately considering that school as well. The Tigers extended an offer to Woods back on June 1, 2021, and he most recently visited Clemson this past January for the Tigers’ elite junior day. Woods also made a couple of visits to Clemson last season for the Boston College and Florida State games in October.

Green is ranked as high as the No. 7 defensive tackle and No. 188 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals. In late April, he announced a top six comprised of Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder made an unofficial visit to Clemson in early March. The Tigers have not yet offered.

Searcy (6-5, 250) thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Clemson’s campus on March 5, when he collected an offer from the Tigers. “It feels amazing to have an offer from Clemson because of how good of a program they are,” he told TCI after the visit. A good run-stopper, who uses his length and size to his advantage, Searcy is the No. 185 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports.

Hoffler (6-5, 245), who also picked up an offer from Clemson during his March 5 visit, returned to Tiger Town last month. While Ohio State was once the leader in the clubhouse, Hoffler indicated to TCI recently that Clemson has since closed that perceived gap going into this weekend’s official visit. “I think Clemson has done a really good job, as far as recruiting me,” Hoffler said. “I would say that they have closed the gap.”

Osborne (6-3, 250) released his final six schools on May 13, including Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Texas, LSU and Tennessee on his shortlist. He likewise visited Clemson on March 5 and came away from the visit blown away by everything Clemson had to offer. The Tigers extended an offer to Osborne, who lists more than four dozen total offers, during the visit.

Faulk received an offer from Clemson in January and then attended the Tigers’ elite junior day later that month. The 6-foot-6, 248-pounder is ranked as high as the No. 5 weakside defensive end and No. 92 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals. His offer list includes Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Tennessee and many others.

Last month, Reed (6-4, 270) released a list of his top schools which included Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Texas A&M. While Clemson did not appear in his top group, Reed confirmed to TCI that Clemson is still in the running for him, as he said the Tigers were accidentally left off the top-schools graphic.

“It was just an accident we didn’t put them on the edit,” Reed explained. “I talked to Coach about that, and we’re still locked in the 3rd through the 5th for the official.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he added of the official visit. “I’m very excited for it.”

Reed was also on campus at Clemson earlier this year for the program’s elite junior day Jan. 29.

Edge Rushers 

Washington (D.C.) St. John’s four-star David Ojiegbe (committed) and Austin (Texas) Westlake four-star Colton Vasek 

Following his visit to Clemson for the April 9 spring game, Ojiegbe committed to the Tigers on April 27, choosing them over schools like Maryland, Miami, Michigan and North Carolina.

Ojiegbe — the No. 20 edge defender and No. 167 overall prospect in the 2023 class, per 247Sports — felt very good about Clemson after he visited for the program’s second junior day of the year on March 5, when he received his Clemson offer, and explained to TCI why he chose the Tigers.

“Faith, family and football,” Ojiegbe said, “and the family vibes I’ve already felt them…They’re gonna make me a better man and a better football player. They’re gonna develop me in everything, every aspect of life at the next level, whether that’s going to the league or into the workforce.”

Vasek — a former teammate of Clemson freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik — was on Clemson’s campus on March 14 for an unofficial visit and subsequently left town with a scholarship offer in hand.

“It was absolutely…I loved it up there,” Vasek told TCI. “It impressed me a ton, just seeing the campus, the facilities, meeting all the coaches and seeing what Clemson really had to offer. I really loved my time up there.”

“I would go as far as saying that this is probably my favorite visit I’ve been on out of all the schools I’ve visited so far,” he added.

On Thursday, Vasek released a top five featuring Clemson along with Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

The rising senior is rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals and the 247Sports Composite, the latter of which ranks him as the No. 27 edge rusher and No. 284 overall prospect in the 2023 class.

Linebackers

Fairfax (Va.) four-star LB Tony Rojas, Demark (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star LB Dee Crayton, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) four-star LB Jamal Anderson and Tampa (Fla.) Catholic four-star LB Lewis Carter

Rojas earned an offer from Clemson when he first visited for the program’s junior day on March 5 and returned in April for a spring practice visit. In April, he dropped a final four that featured Clemson, Georgia, Penn State and Miami. Rojas (6-3, 200) is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Virginia, No. 12 outside linebacker and No. 210 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals.

Crayton earned an offer from the Tigers back in February and has since maintained that Clemson is a top school in his recruitment. That rang true when he included Clemson in a top schools list that also featured Auburn, Mizzou, Penn State and UCF.

“Definitely, something that comes right to mind is my relationship with Coach Wes (Goodwin),” Crayton told TCI when asked why he included Clemson among his top schools. “He actually came to my practice. He’s always just recruiting me hard. We talk every day — he makes sure he calls me and we chat it up whether it’s for five minutes or 15 — we’re always just talking.

“Just being able to see myself in the defense and my head coach (Mike Palmieri) actually coached Trenton (Simpson),” Crayton continued. “He’s kind of aligned with Clemson in coaching linebackers. (Coach Goodwin) is coaching Trenton now, so that’s pretty cool seeing him develop and that possibly being me.”

Rivals considers Crayton to be the No. 9 linebacker and the nation’s No. 130 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

Anderson (6-4, 200) is the son of former Utah and Atlanta Falcons All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson, Sr. The younger Anderson received an offer from Clemson while on campus on March 12. He is ranked as high as the No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 123 overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN.

Clemson offered Carter back in December 2021 when Brent Venables was still the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Carter (6-0, 205) is ranked as high as the No. 116 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports, which considers him the No. 8 linebacker in the country for his class.

Cornerbacks

American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) four-star CB Damari Brown and St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star CB Branden Strozier (committed)

Clemson offered Brown back in January. He dropped his final six schools on Thursday, featuring Clemson, Miami, LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida State.

Strozier committed to the Tigers on May 20, choosing Clemson over Alabama and Tennessee.

It all came down to the fact of what school is gonna help bring me the best version of myself, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Strozier said. “I felt like Clemson was the best fit for me and that I’ll be able to thrive in their program.”

What was it about Clemson’s recruiting pitch that resonated with Strozier the most?

“Really just the coaching stability there,” he said. “You know people say, ‘Don’t go to school because of the coach,’ but you have to choose a school with the right coach that’s going to be able to develop you. And at Clemson, their coaching staff doesn’t change a whole lot. So, being able to have a stable coaching staff is just really great.”

Safeties

Summer High (Riverview, Fla.) three-star ATH Kylen Webb and Crisp County (Cordele, Ga.) three-star S Ahmad Brown

Clemson offered Webb after he made an unofficial visit to campus on March 17. Webb told TCI recently that he is currently enjoying the recruitment process and plans to make a decision before the fall. He made sure to reiterate that Clemson is one of the top schools in his recruitment. In addition to Clemson, Webb mentioned UCF and Florida State as the schools recruiting him the hardest at the moment.

Brown picked up an offer from Clemson back in April. Brown later visited and told us that Clemson is at the top of his standings in his recruitment.

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‘The best fit for me’: 4-star CB commitment details decision to be a Tiger

Alpharetta (Ga.) St. Francis four-star cornerback Branden Strozier started to realize that Clemson was the place he wanted to be just over two weeks ago. He didn’t feel like he needed to see anywhere else. Once he decided that he wanted to call …

Alpharetta (Ga.) St. Francis four-star cornerback Branden Strozier started to realize that Clemson was the place he wanted to be just over two weeks ago.

He didn’t feel like he needed to see anywhere else. Once he decided that he wanted to call Clemson his next home, he started to get everything in order and eventually committed on the last day of spring ball.

In a phone interview with The Clemson Insider Thursday, Strozier detailed his decision to commit to Clemson. It seemed like things were starting to point in that direction after he visited for the Orange & White Spring Game on April 9, though he didn’t formally announce his decision to commit to Clemson over schools like Alabama and Tennessee until this past Friday, May 20.

It wasn’t that Strozier’s decision came as a surprise, nor the timing of his announcement, but it was how he went about it. It speaks to his character. He didn’t want to make a big show of things, rather he was going to just make an announcement when he felt ready and that’s what he did.

“It all came down to the fact of what school is gonna help bring me the best version of myself, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Strozier said. “I felt like Clemson was the best fit for me and that I’ll be able to thrive in their program.”

What was it about Clemson’s recruiting pitch that resonated with Strozier the most?

“Really just the coaching stability there,” he said. “You know people say, ‘Don’t go to school because of the coach,’ but you have to choose a school with the right coach that’s going to be able to develop you. And at Clemson, their coaching staff doesn’t change a whole lot. So, being able to have a stable coaching staff is just really great.”

That was a huge factor in Strozier’s decision, as he wanted to have the opportunity to develop under the tutelage of Mike Reed, especially when considering what Clemson’s cornerbacks coach has been able to do with past Peach State products like A.J. Terrell and Andrew Booth, Jr. 

“Being able to talk with him and getting to know him over the last couple months, they were pretty late in the recruitment process,” Strozier said, “but I felt he made a good pitch towards me. He was able to get me on a visit and ever since then, I just loved it.”

“I feel like with his history and the coaching staff, I feel like I’ll be able to be developed to the highest level,” he added.

Another factor was the ability to play early.

“Hearing him say that he’s not just gonna recruit you to sit on the bench, that feels good,” Strozier said. “He’s gonna take his time and take a risk with me. He’s gonna give me the opportunity to show my talents at the college level.”

Strozier will be at Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5. He’s looking forward to meeting the rest of the class of 2023 commits, as well as putting on his recruiting cap and trying to get other prospective recruits to pledge to Clemson.

—Photo for this article courtesy of @13randen_ on Instagram.