Tag: caden story

Freshman defensive lineman looks up to the ‘goat’ at his position

Caden Story is just beginning his career at Clemson, but like many college football players, his ultimate goal is to one day play in the NFL. As the Tigers’ freshman defensive lineman works to try to achieve it, there’s already a well-established …

Caden Story is just beginning his career at Clemson, but like many college football players, his ultimate goal is to one day play in the NFL.

As the Tigers’ freshman defensive lineman works to try to achieve it, there’s already a well-established player at the next level that Story tries to study whenever he can.

“I watch Aaron Donald a lot because he’s the goat,” Story said.

Donald, of course, is the All-Pro defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, and Story’s “goat” reference is an acronym for Greatest Of All Time, which is often used to describe standout athletes and other public figures in their professions. Whether or not Donald has already achieved that status is debatable, but with a unique blend of quickness, strength and technique for a defensive tackle, the Rams’ star has established himself as arguably the league’s best active lineman and, with 98 sacks in eight NFL seasons, one of the best interior pass rushers of all-time.

Story said there are a couple of specific attributes of Donald’s game that he’s trying to incorporate into his.

“He probably has the best hands I’ve seen (from a defensive tackle),” Story said. “Just his get-off and his hands. They’re amazing.”

Story also has a position coach with nearly two decades worth of NFL experience as a player and coach in Nick Eason, who played a significant role in the four-star prospect out of Lanett (Alabama) High School flipping from Auburn to Clemson late in the recruiting process. But Story’s first order of business is figuring out a way to get on the field at Clemson.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder enrolled this summer and will go through his first practices with the Tigers once fall camp begins Friday. Story said the veterans at his position have done their best to show him the ropes.

“All of the d-tackles, they’ve taken me under their wing and just tried to help me and preparing me for this thing,” he said.

But the competition for playing time in Year 1 will be fierce with Clemson returning its entire-two deep along the defensive line from last season, including Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro among others.

“I’m just going to go in and give it my all, and whatever happens happens,” Story said. “It’s God’s plan.”

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‘He’s been to where I’m trying to go’: Freshman lineman follows Eason, heart to Clemson

Caden Story said he’s dreamed since middle school of playing college football at Clemson, but the long-term goal for the Tigers’ freshman defensive lineman is the NFL. And when the Alabama native was ready to make his commitment to a school last …

Caden Story said he’s dreamed since middle school of playing college football at Clemson, but the long-term goal for the Tigers’ freshman defensive lineman is the NFL.

And when the Alabama native was ready to make his commitment to a school last summer, the man Story believes is best suited to help him get there was coaching somewhere else.

Shortly before the 2021 season began, Story gave his verbal pledge to Auburn, an SEC program located less than 35 miles from his hometown of Lanett. Nick Eason, who played in two Super Bowls during a 10-year NFL career following his playing days at Clemson, was also on Bryan Harsin’s staff as Auburn’s defensive line coach at the time.

“He’s been to where I’m trying to go, and I feel like he can get me there,” Story said of Eason. “He actually played at a high level. He played in Super Bowls, and he has things to show for it. … He’s done that. So I feel like just playing for him, he’s going to be able to do the same for me.”

As a consensus four-star prospect who capped his prep career at Lanett High School by being named the Class 2A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, Story was one of the headliners in Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class. But when Eason returned to Clemson in January to replace Todd Bates as defensive tackles coach, it was the domino that tipped Story in the direction of the ACC’s Tigers.

Story decommitted less than two weeks after Eason’s hire became official and signed with Clemson in February, giving the Tigers another Under Armour All-American in its most recent signing class. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle was one of just two defensive linemen in the class.

“Coach Eason definitely played a big factor in it,” Story said of his change of heart. “He was one of the reasons I committed to Auburn, and when I signed here, he was definitely a big factor of why I signed here.

“I always wanted to go to Clemson, so when he came here, it just made it even better. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the place I want to be, and this is where I want to go.’”

The question now is how soon will Story see the field at Clemson? With their entire two-deep returning up front, the Tigers have arguably the top defensive line in college football heading into the new season. It includes a wealth of talent and experience at Story’s position, including Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro, Tre Williams and Etinosa Reuben among others.

Yet Story isn’t ready to concede a redshirt in Year 1. There could also be an opportunity to contribute on special teams, but Story said he believes he’s got a skill set that could help him carve out a role on defense sooner rather than later.

“I’m long, I’m quick, and I’m athletic,” Story said. “I’m able to move. It’s a lot of athletic ability that I have that many defensive tackles don’t have.

“Just give it all and just being the best version of myself.”

And what does that look like for Story?

“Going out and competing every day,” he said. “Being tough. Mentally tough. Physically tough. Just balling out.”

The Newcomer Files: Caden Story

Clemson signed 21 players as part of its 2022 recruiting class, some of whom still have yet to make it to campus. Nine signees went through spring practice as early enrollees while the rest, including transfer Hunter Johnson, will arrive on campus …

Clemson signed 21 players as part of its 2022 recruiting class, some of whom still have yet to make it to campus.

Nine signees went through spring practice as early enrollees while the rest, including transfer Hunter Johnson, will arrive on campus this summer. The Clemson Insider is taking a closer look at each newcomer and the likelihood of him contributing immediately this fall based on development and positional need.

Next up is Caden Story.

Position: Defensive line

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 275 pounds

Ranking: 4 stars (247Sports Composite)

Previous school: Lanett (Alabama) High

Early enrollee? No

The skinny: Clemson has Nick Eason to thank for Story ending up at Clemson. An Alabama native, Story was committed to Auburn until Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hired Eason away from Auburn’s staff to replace Todd Bates. Story ultimately decided to follow Eason to Clemson following a prep career in which he won multiple state championships and was twice named Alabama’s Class 2A Lineman of the Year. He was credited with 184 tackles and 37 sacks over the final three seasons of his high school career.

Story projects as an interior defensive lineman in college, and he already reminds Swinney of former Clemson defensive tackle D.J. Reader given Story’s blend of size and athleticism. If he was walking into any other defensive line room in the country, Story would likely be a prime candidate to contribute immediately. But cracking the rotation along what’s perhaps the deepest, most talented defensive front in college football would be difficult for any newcomer this year. The Tigers are loaded on the interior with veterans like Bryan Bresee, Tyler Davis, Ruke Orhorhoro, Tre Williams and Etinosa Reuben leading the way. Barring mass attrition at the position, Story may be looking at a redshirt season by default.

One area in which Clemson’s defensive line could top 2018 group

As far as defensive lines go, the group Clemson tormented opponents with during its most recent national championship run set the bar high. Affectionately known as the Power Rangers, the Tigers’ front four in 2018 was one of the best in college …

As far as defensive lines go, the group Clemson tormented opponents with during its most recent national championship run set the bar high.

Affectionately known as the Power Rangers, the Tigers’ front four in 2018 was one of the best in college football’s modern era. The group, headlined by Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins, led the charge for a defense that topped the country in points allowed (13.1 per game) and also ranked in the top 5 nationally in total defense, rush defense, tackles for loss and sacks. Ferrell, Lawrence and Wilkins were each selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft while the other starter up front, Thomas Austin, was a fourth-round pick that year.

Yet Clemson coach Dabo Swinney believes there’s one area in which his current defensive line could have that group beat.

“We’re going to have a little more depth than maybe we had in ‘18,” Swinney said. “I think the front-line guys, we’ve got some similarities. But this group has got a chance to have deeper, experienced depth.”

Swinney has good reason for that opinion.

Much like that 2018 season, Clemson’s No. 2 scoring defense this past season was spearheaded by arguably the top defensive line in the ACC. And that was with Tigers playing most of the season without star defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (torn ACL).

Clemson finished seventh nationally in total yards allowed and eighth against the run. The Tigers also ranked ninth in sacks (3.2) and 15th in tackles for loss (7.1), both of which ranked in the top 4 in the ACC. And Clemson has virtually every significant contributor back up front.

As expected, sack leader Myles Murphy and Bresee, both sophomores, are returning for what could be their third and final seasons at Clemson. They’ll be joined by Tyler Davis, KJ Henry and Xavier Thomas, who may have been the biggest surprise with his decision to return for a sixth year.

Ruke Orhorhoro was more than serviceable filling in on the interior of the line alongside Davis. His 42 tackles were second-most among Clemson’s defensive linemen this past season, and he added eight tackles for loss. With a healthy Bresee set to slide back into the starting lineup this fall, that will move Orhorhoro back to being a backup.

With Henry, Orhohoro, Etinosa Reuben (or Tre Williams) and Justin Mascoll also back in the fold, Clemson is keeping its entire two-deep along the defensive line intact. Nine defensive linemen on the current roster have started at least one game at Clemson.

That’s not including sophomore defensive end Kevin Swint, who played in 10 games as a reserve this past season, or defensive tackles Payton Page and Demonte Capehart, who got their feet wet as freshmen. Freshmen defensive ends Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson are coming off redshirt seasons, and Clemson recently added another lineman to the crop in the 2022 recruiting cycle with the signing of Lanett (Alabama) four-star defensive tackle Caden Story.

“We’ve got a great group,” Swinney said. “This has got a chance to be as good as we’ve ever had in the defensive line if they will work and do what they need to do to play and perform at the level they’re capable of.”

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Swinney likens ‘sneaky athletic’ DL signee to former Tiger

Clemson pulled off a late recruiting coup with the signing of Caden Story earlier this week. The four-star defensive tackle from Lanett High in west Alabama initially committed to Auburn in August, but that was when Nick Eason was still the …

Clemson pulled off a late recruiting coup with the signing of Caden Story earlier this week.

The four-star defensive tackle from Lanett High in west Alabama initially committed to Auburn in August, but that was when Nick Eason was still the defensive line coach for the SEC’s Tigers. Story decommitted when Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hired Eason away from Auburn in January to replace former defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, and the rest is history.

Swinney already has a comparison for his newest defensive lineman.

“He’s probably not Bryan Bresee the day he gets here, but he’s got a chance to be a great player,” Swinney said. “I kind of see him as a little taller D.J. Reader. He’s sneaky athletic and going to be a big, big man.”

Reader played at Clemson from 2012-15 before being taken by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s now a starting defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, but football wasn’t the only sport he played in college.

Reader was also a 300-pound pitcher on the baseball team. While Story, a two-time state champion at Lanett, will stick to one sport at Clemson, he also played basketball in high school. Swinney said Story comes from a family full of athletes, including his brother, Kristian, a defensive back at Alabama, and his father, Clifford, who coached him in football at Lanett.

“He’s a big kid that can absolutely move,” Swinney said. “You ought to see him play basketball. He’s got handles. He’s got great feet. He’s soft around the rim. He’s just a really, really good, big athlete. To get a guy like him in this class is going to pay off for us big-time.”

Under normal circumstances, chances would be higher for the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Story to make an immediate impact at Clemson. But the Tigers have their entire two-deep returning along a defensive line that will begin next season as one of the nation’s best, so Clemson’s lone signee at the position may have to wait to crack the rotation.

But that’s not dampening Swinney’s excitement about Story’s potential.

“This kid will have an opportunity to learn from Bryan and learn from Tyler (Davis), Ruke (Orhorhoro) and those guys,” Swinney said. “He’s a big get for us for sure.”

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Clemson lands commitment from 4-star Alabama DL

Clemson is the college choice for a highly regarded defensive lineman from the Yellowhammer State. Lanett (Ala.) four-star defensive tackle Caden Story announced his college decision Wednesday morning during a National Signing Day ceremony at his …

Clemson is the college choice for a highly regarded defensive lineman from the Yellowhammer State.

Lanett (Ala.) four-star defensive tackle Caden Story announced his college decision Wednesday morning during a National Signing Day ceremony at his high school, choosing Clemson over his other finalists, Auburn and Florida.

Story (6-4, 280) is a consensus four-star prospect according to the major recruiting services, ranked as high as the No. 20 defensive lineman and No. 147 overall prospect in the 2022 class by 247Sports.

Story originally committed to Auburn last August but did not end up signing during the December early signing period, then reopened his recruitment on Jan. 16. He went to Florida for an official visit this past weekend after officially visiting Clemson the weekend prior.

Clemson made a great impression on Story during his official visit. A big factor in his recruitment was his strong and longstanding relationship with Clemson’s defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator, Nick Eason, who also recruited Story when Eason was at Auburn.

“Coach Eason, that’s my guy,” Story said to The Clemson Insider. “He’s a real dude. We have a really close relationship. I feel like he’s one of the best in the country. I feel like he is the best in the country. Me and Coach Eason, we’re tight. We’re close. That’s my dude. That’s my guy.”

While the Gators gave Story something to think about over the weekend, it wasn’t enough to beat out Clemson.

Story becomes the second defensive lineman in Clemson’s 2022 class, joining Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) defensive end Jahiem Lawson.

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2022 Signing Day Headquarters

National Signing Day for football has arrived and the Tigers are set to sign another outstanding class. Today the dreams will come true for many future Tigers as they sign with Clemson. The Clemson Insider has in-depth coverage all day long as we …

National Signing Day for football has arrived and the Tigers are set to sign another outstanding class.

Today the dreams will come true for many future Tigers as they sign with Clemson. The Clemson Insider has in-depth coverage all day long as we track the signatures of Clemson’s 2022 class.

TCI’s Signing Day Headquarters will track all of the signatures as they come into Clemson. Check this page early and often to see which players are officially Clemson Tigers.

 2022 Signing Day Headquarters

TCI’s National Signing Day preview: Breaking down commits, targets

The countdown to National Signing Day continues. With Wednesday’s NSD fast approaching, The Clemson Insider wanted to provide a primer to get you ready for the big day as it relates to the Tigers. In the following preview, we break down the …

The countdown to National Signing Day continues. With Wednesday’s NSD fast approaching, The Clemson Insider wanted to provide a primer to get you ready for the big day as it relates to the Tigers.

In the following preview, we break down the commitments that Clemson is set to sign on Wednesday, the targets that the Tigers are in the mix for, and more:

Cole Turner

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School wide receiver Cole Turner announced his commitment to the Tigers after his official visit on Sunday, Jan. 16.

Cole, of course, is the younger brother of longtime Clemson safety Nolan Turner. Like his brother before for him, Cole was severely under-recruited coming out of high school.

The Clemson Insider spoke with Vestavia Hills head coach Sean Calhoun, prior to Cole’s offer from Clemson.

“He’s one of those stereotypical guys, who didn’t have much junior film and has a lot of senior film,” Calhoun said. “And, it’s really good and it’s vs. really, really good opponents. He’s a good player.

“Again, he’s just not on recruiting boards because if his senior film was his junior film, he’d be a three/four-star. But, he’s not and I think that the people that do see it and do get on him at this time, whoever gets him is definitely gonna get an absolute diamond in the rough. There’s no doubt about it.”

Myles Oliver

Oliver (6-0, 170) officially verbally pledged to the Tigers on Sunday, Jan. 16. The Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.) 2022 defensive back, like Turner before him, committed to Clemson after his official visit.

When asked by The Clemson Insider why he pulled the trigger on his commitment to Clemson, Oliver pointed to the coaching staff and the “great campus.”

Across his senior campaign, Oliver recorded five interceptions, 75 total tackles (55 solos), four touchdowns, 101 interception yards and 552 all-purpose yards. He received Douglas County Player of the Year honors for his contributions on the field this season.

Oliver’s head coach at Douglas County, Johnny T. White, talked to TCI in December and spoke about why he believed Clemson would ultimately be a good fit for the under-the-radar defensive back.

“Clemson would be a great place because it’s close to home for him,” White said. “Family’s big to him, so that’s not far. But, at the same time, I think it would be beneficial on both sides. I think he’d end up being a great player for Clemson. I know he’d be a standout guy because he’s a great young man. He’s a better young man than he is a football player, to be honest.”

Kobe McCloud

Kobe McCloud announced his verbal commitment to Clemson Wednesday, Jan. 26, just a mere couple of days after the legacy recruit, who hails from Gaither (Tampa, Fla.), officially visited campus.

McCloud went into detail with The Clemson Insider about his decision to commit to Clemson.

“Really just the love from the coaches,” McCloud said. “Not just the coaches, but their whole staff. I love that vision that they have for me for the next 3-4 years, so that played a big role.”

In a previous conversation with TCI, McCloud outlined his potential role. Clemson feels like he can play anywhere on that second-level, whether it’s at the WILL or MIKE linebacker positions. According to McCloud, Swinney had previously told him that his playstyle reminds him of former Clemson linebackers like B.J. Goodson and Dorian O’Daniel, both of whom went on to play in the NFL.

What can Clemson fans expect out of McCloud?

“I’m a baller on the field and off the field, I’m a great person with good character,” he said. “A person that lights up the room when I walk in. That’s the type of person I am.”

Kylon Griffin

Montgomery Catholic (Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin elected to commit to Clemson on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Even though the fast-rising prospect, who was once committed to Mississippi State, had another official visit on the table, his mind was already made up.

“I think there was no more to be said,” Griffin said. “Clemson has it all and more. I think Dabo Swinney has a great culture up there, that continues to evolve and that the whole staff wants the same thing.”

What role does the coaching staff envision for him?

“They compared me to K’Von Wallace,” Griffin said. “He was all-around the backend when he was there. I’m pretty sure they plan to use me all-around.”

Jahiem Lawson

Jahiem Lawson from nearby Daniel High School publicly committed to the Tigers on Friday, Jan. 28.

Lawson – the younger brother of former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, who played for the Tigers from 2013-15 and has spent time in the NFL with the Bills, Dolphins, Texans and Jets – detailed his commitment decision in an interview with The Clemson Insider.

Jahiem (6-4, 215), who received an offer from Dabo Swinney and Clemson on Dec. 20, said he knew for sure a couple of weeks ago that Clemson is where he wanted to continue his academic and athletic career. He told Swinney and his staff that he wanted to be a Tiger while on his official visit to Clemson three weekends ago.

Jahiem chose the Tigers over offers from Missouri, Georgia Tech, Coastal Carolina and Liberty, among numerous other schools.

“The environment is really amazing,” Jahiem said of why he picked Clemson. “Being around the coaches, it’s like a family, and I love that. Going in on my OV (official visit), I just felt so welcomed. That was so exciting for me. So, that made my chances to go to Clemson higher.”

PWOs

Here is a list of all the preferred walk-ons that plan on signing with Clemson on Wednesday:

  • Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville, S.C.) three-star offensive tackle Mason Johnstone
  • Laurens (S.C.) athlete Michael Mankaka
  • T.L. Hanna (Anderson, S.C.) linebacker Fletcher Cothran
  • Anderson (S.C.) T.L. Hanna offensive lineman Chap Pendergrass
  • Daniel (Central, S.C.) tight end Griffin Batt
  • Daniel (Central, S.C) wide receiver Clay Swinney
  • Daniel (Central, S.C.) quarterback Trent Pearman
  • Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.) quarterback Caleb Nix

Commitment Watch

By now, we know that there are four uncommitted prospects in the 2022 recruiting class that could commit to Clemson on Wednesday.

The Tigers played host this past weekend to a couple of official visitors, so we wanted to pass along the latest we have gathered regarding those official visitors, as well as the other Clemson targets.

T.J. Dudley

One of the uncommitted prospects that Clemson is in strong contention for is T.J. Dudley, a four-star linebacker from Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic Preparatory School who is ranked as the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 143 overall prospect in the 2022 class by Rivals.

Dudley, a former Oregon commit, decommitted from the Ducks in early December after former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal departed for Miami. It was around that time when Clemson, which offered Dudley back in June 2020, re-entered the mix for his services.

Clemson made a big impression on Dudley when he visited for a junior day back in the spring of 2020, and he returned to campus for an official visit last weekend – a visit that simply reinforced the things he liked about Clemson back then and only strengthened the Tigers’ standing heading into signing day.

Dudley is teammates with Montgomery Catholic Prep 2022 defensive back Kylon Griffin, who committed to the Tigers last week, and Clemson appears to be the clear frontrunner for Dudley as well. New co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Wes Goodwin has done a good job with Dudley’s recruitment.

Dudley will announce his decision at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Caden Story

We also like where Clemson stands with Caden Story, a four-star defensive tackle from Lanett (Ala.) High School, who is ranked as the No. 20 defensive lineman and No. 147 overall prospect in the 2022 class by 247Sports.

Clemson is one of three stated finalists for Story, along with Florida and Auburn. He committed to the SEC’s Tigers last August but did not end up signing in December, then decommitted from Auburn on Jan. 16. He went to Florida for an official visit this past weekend.

The Tigers made a great impression on Story during his official visit two weekends ago. He has a strong and longstanding relationship with Clemson’s defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator, Nick Eason, who also recruited Story when Eason was at Auburn.

While the Gators gave Story something to think about last weekend, we still believe the Tigers are in a good spot heading into Wednesday.

Story will reveal his college choice at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Keith Adams, Jr.

The other official visitor on campus this weekend was Pine View (Saint George, Utah) 2022 three-star running back Keith Adams, Jr.

“I just liked how everybody treated me,” Adams told The Clemson Insider Sunday. “I just enjoyed spending time with the coaches and the players. I had a lot of fun and the facilities were great.”

Clemson originally offered Adams as a grayshirt back when he was a junior in October 2020, but on Saturday, the Tigers offered him a full ride. According to Adams, Clemson loved his film and they saw him progress throughout the entirety of his high school career, which is why they offered him a full scholarship.

“It meant a lot,” he said, “to actually get it in person, it felt a lot different than receiving it over the phone. It was a special moment for me and my family.”

Adams, of course, is the son of former Clemson All-American linebacker Keith Adams Sr., who went on to play seven years in the NFL and played in the 2005 Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Clemson made a big impression on Adams Jr. and his family this weekend, and while he won’t make his decision known until Wednesday, we like the Tigers’ chances heading into signing day.

Adams will reveal his college choice at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Andrew Paul

Heading into this past weekend, those close to Andrew Paul’s recruitment viewed Clemson as the frontrunner for the Parish Episcopal School (Dallas, Texas) three-star running back. However, Georgia has given him something to think about after his official visit to Athens this past weekend.

As far as his recruitment is concerned, Paul is very closed vest. So much so, that many of those around him are unsure of what he may decide. That being said, while we believe Georgia and Kirby Smart made a big push to land Paul’s commitment, we feel the Tigers still have a legitimate shot to land his signature on Wednesday.

Clemson has certainly put its best foot forward with Paul as well.

“He loved it,” Parish head coach Daniel Novakov said of Paul’s official visit. “He loved the place. He loved the people. He loved Coach Swinney. I think he really liked the kids he visited. I think he liked everything about it.”

The Tigers have been recruiting Paul hard since C.J. Spiller was in attendance for Paul’s state playoff game last month. Clemson’s running backs coach stayed for the entire game. That went a long way with Paul and his trainer Brandon Williams, who trains the three-star running back at FASST Performance & Fitness and has done so for the past three and a half years.

“That showed me not just the value, but the perception that I got from C.J. standing there the entire time just tells me where their relationship is with Andrew,” Williams said. ‘“Hey, this young man is what we want. It’s been amazing to see all those things, especially the respect level.”

Paul has built a close relationship with Spiller. He’ll have a tough decision to make between Clemson, Georgia and Michigan.

Paul will announce his decision at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.

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Watch: Eason joins on the official visit fun; takes a tumble

Former Auburn commit, Caden Story was on an official visit to Clemson this weekend. All signs point to the four-star defensive end out of Lanett (Ala.) and his family having a good. During the visit, Story’s mom took a liking to Clemson’s famous …

Former Auburn commit, Caden Story was on an official visit to Clemson this weekend.

All signs point to the four-star defensive end out of Lanett (Ala.) and his family having a good. During the visit, Story’s mom took a liking to Clemson’s famous slide.

She posted it on Twitter multiple times, however, it was the second video that has caught the eye of many Clemson fans. Making one last trip down it before they left Story and his mom made it down with no problem.

As for, Clemson’s defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator, Nick Eason, who has served as Story’s primary recruiter? Not so much.

Check out the video below:

Auburn makes final three for Caden Story

alright…

A reunion could be in store for Auburn and Caden Story.

The four-star defensive lineman may have decommitted from Auburn last week, but he just announced his final three schools and Auburn made the cut. The other finalist were Florida and Clemson, he will announce where he will be heading on Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. C.T.

The 6-foot-3, 282-pound Story is ranked as the No. 28 defensive lineman and No. 222 recruit in the country, per 247Sports Composite rankings, and No. 12 player in Alabama.

He committed to Auburn back on Aug. 1 but the departure of Nick Eason seems to have played a factor in him opening up his recruitment.