Tag: clemson football recruiting

Versatile Charlotte RB hears from Clemson, plans to visit this weekend

A talented and versatile running back from the Tar Heel State will be back in Tiger Town this weekend. Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School’s Ryan Henley plans to attend Clemson’s home opener against Furman on Saturday. “Looking forward to getting down …

A talented and versatile running back from the Tar Heel State will be back in Tiger Town this weekend.

Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School’s Ryan Henley plans to attend Clemson’s home opener against Furman on Saturday.

“Looking forward to getting down there!” he told The Clemson Insider.

Henley, a prospect in the class of 2024, was previously on campus when he worked out at the Dabo Swinney Camp on June 2. He first caught the eye of Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller at the Swinney Camp in the summer of 2021, and according to Henley, Spiller was even more impressed by his camp performance this summer.

Henley told TCI that Spiller reached out to him on Sept. 1, the first day college coaches were allowed to directly contact junior prospects, and he also heard from other members of Clemson’s staff including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter, passing game coordinator/tight ends coach Kyle Richardson and director of recruiting strategy Ty Clements.

“It was really encouraging seeing that they have that type of interest,” Henley said. “Hoping to continue to build a relationship with the coaches and head in a positive direction.”

Along with Clemson, schools such as South Carolina, Duke, Virginia, UConn and Northwestern have shown interest in Henley, who rushed for more than 800 yards, averaged 8.1 yards per carry and racked up 900-plus all-purpose yards as a sophomore last season.

In the first game of his junior campaign this year, Henley totaled 130 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Then, in his team’s second game, he filled in at slot receiver due to injuries and made a big impact while accounting for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

As he goes through the season, that type of versatility is among the things Henley hopes to show college coaches he can bring to the table at the next level.

“Really just showing them I’m extremely versatile, being able to play a lot of that slot as well as running back,” he said. “Right now, really just been patient with it all and focused on doing what’s right for the team, and I feel like the individual accolades and all that will take care of itself as long as I keep the team success as my main priority.

“Diving deeper into my game, I’m hoping to show that my speed is better in making those second-level defenders miss. I’m really hoping to show that’s a lot better and improved from last year. I think that’s kind of what lacked a little bit last year, and I had some missed opportunities that I really wish I could’ve capitalized on. I learned a lot and I grew a lot as a football player last year, so I think I’m improving a lot there.”

Henley tries to model his game after a fellow Charlotte-area native in Clemson sophomore running back Will Shipley. The two have a good relationship and have worked out together on several occasions.

Henley looks forward to watching Shipley this season and seeing how he follows up his freshman season in 2021, when he led the Tigers with 738 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns despite missing three games with a leg injury.

“I’m really excited to see what he does this year, for sure. I think it’ll be really interesting,” Henley said. “I think that injuries kind of got in the way of his success and all of that, but knowing him and knowing how he demands excellence and expects a lot of himself, I’m really excited to see what he’s going to do.”

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Standout Peach State DL attending tonight’s game

A standout defensive lineman prospect from the Peach State will be at Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech on Monday evening in Atlanta. Bryce Perry-Wright – 6-foot-3, 240-pound freshman in the class of 2026 – announced that he will be at …

A standout defensive lineman prospect from the Peach State will be at Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech on Monday evening in Atlanta.

Bryce Perry-Wright — 6-foot-3, 240-pound freshman in the class of 2026 — announced that he will be at Mercedes Benz Stadium via social media. Perry-Wright, who hails from Buford (Ga.) High School already holds offers from programs like Texas A&M and South Carolina.

He participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp back on June 2. Since this is a Georgia Tech home game, Clemson will not be able to issue tickets to prospects like Perry-Wright, who is from about 45 minutes outside of downtown Atlanta.

The Clemson Insider has also confirmed that, in addition to Perry Wright, Clemson commits — four-star defensive end A.J. Hoffler, four-star cornerback Avieon Terrell and four-star cornerback Branden Strozier — will be in attendance for tonight’s game.

— Photo for this article courtesy of  @Brycepw5 on Twitter.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

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What recruiting rankings tell us about the Clemson-Georgia Tech game

The Clemson Insider thought it would be interesting to analyze the matchups on Clemson’s 2022 schedule from a recruiting standpoint by going back and looking at where the Tigers’ projected starters were ranked as recruits versus where the projected …

The Clemson Insider thought it would be interesting to analyze the matchups on Clemson’s 2022 schedule from a recruiting standpoint by going back and looking at where the Tigers’ projected starters were ranked as recruits versus where the projected starters for their opponents were ranked.

In this article, we break down Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech on Monday. Below is a rundown of the projected starters for both teams, as it stands now, and their high school star ratings and prospect rankings according to the 247Sports Composite:

Clemson offense:

LT – Jordan McFadden (3-star, No. 819 national, No. 66 OT)

LG – Marcus Tate (4-star, No. 127 national, No. 8 IOL)

C – Will Putnam (4-star, No. 101 national, No. 5 OG)

RG – Walker Parks (4-star, No. 50 national, No. 5 OT)

RT – Blake Miller (4-star, No. 208 national, No. 16 OT)

TE – Davis Allen (3-star, No. 807 national, No. 39 TE)

WR – Joseph Ngata (4-star, No. 52 national, No. 9 WR)

QB – D.J. Uiagalelei (5-star, No. 10 national, No. 1 PRO)

RB – Will Shipley (5-star, No 32 national, No. 2 RB)

WR – Brannon Spector (3-star, No. 522 national, No. 60 WR)

WR – E.J. Williams (4-star, No. 69 national, No. 13 WR)

or WR – Beaux Collins (4-star, No. 86 national, No. 12 WR)

Clemson defense:

DE – K.J. Henry (5-star, No. 14 national, No. 3 WDE)

DT – Bryan Bresee (5-star, No. 1 national, No. 1 DT)

or DT – Ruke Orhorhoro (3-star, No. 745 national, No. 49 SDE)

DT – Tyler Davis (4-star, No. 137 national, No. 12 DT)

or DT – Ruke Orhorhoro

DE – Myles Murphy (5-star, No. 7 national, No. 1 SDE)

or DE – Justin Mascoll (4-star, No. 142 national, No. 9 WDE)

SLB/NB – Barrett Carter (5-star, No. 33 national, No. 3 LB)

MLB – Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. (4-star, No. 37 national, No. 5 LB)

or MLB – Keith Maguire (3-star, No. 442 national, No. 26 OLB)

WLB – Trenton Simpson (5-star, No. 26 national, No. 1 OLB)

CB – Sheridan Jones (4-star, No. 130 national, No. 15 CB)

or CB–  Nate Wiggins (4-star, No. 118 national, No. 7 CB)

SS – Andrew Mukuba (4-star, No. 167 national, No. 8 S)

FS – Jalyn Phillips (3-star, No. 448 national, No. 37 S)

or FS – Tyler Venables (3-star, No. 1127 national, No. 81 S)

CB – Fred Davis II (4-star, No. 53 national, No. 7 CB)

or CB–  Nate Wiggins

Georgia Tech offense:

LT – Pierce Quick (4-star, No. 40 national, No. 7 OT)

LG – R.J. Adams (3-star, No. 460 national, No. 23 OG)

C –Weston Franklin (3-star, No. 492 national, No. 36 IOL)

RG – Paul Tchio (4-star, No. 103 national, No. 3 OG)

RT – Jordan Williams (3-star, No. 561 national, No. 44 OT)

TE – Dylan Leonard (NR)

WR – Leo Blackburn (4-star, No. 350 national, No. 14 TE)

WR – Nate McCollum (3-star, No. 460 national, No. 67 WR)

QB – Jeff Sims (4-star, No. 223 national, No. 10 DUAL)

RB – Dontae Smith (3-star, No. 791 national, No. 21 APB)

WR – Malachi Carter (3-star, No. 1038 national, No. 153 WR)

Georgia Tech defense:

DE – Keion White (2-star, No. 3141 national, No. 141 TE)

DT – Zeek Biggers (3-star, No. 2253 national, No. 259 DL)

DT – T.K. Chimdeza (3-star, No. 558 national, No. 41 DT)

DE – Kyle Kennard (3-star, No. 814 national, No. 40 WDE)

WLB – Charlie Thomas (3-star, No. 667 national, No. 48 S)

MLB – Ayinde Eley (3-star, No. 403 national, No. 22 OLB)

CB – Zamari Walton (3-star, No. 1194 national, No. 105 CB)

SS – Jaylon King (4-star, No. 318 national, No. 15 ATH)

FS – Derrik Allen (4-star, No. 106 national, No. 9 S)

CB – Myles Sims (4-star, No. 170 national, No. 17 CB)

NB – Lamiles Brooks (4-star, 255 national, No. 17 CB)

Notes: When looking at the recruiting rankings, it is easy to see there is a vast talent differential between the Tigers and Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech’s projected starting lineups include eight former four-star prospects. Clemson has a total of 12 four-star prospects in its projected starting lineups. The Tigers also have six former five-star prospects that are projected starters, and Georgia Tech has none. The majority of Clemson’s projected starters include players that were ranked as top-150 national prospects, while Georgia Tech has only three such players.

**All ratings/rankings according to the 247Sports Composite

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Friday Night Lights: Future Tigers shine across the board

A bunch of Clemson commitments shined with standout performances in their respective teams’ games this weekend. The Clemson Insider was on hand to see Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian’s Christopher Vizzina play on the first stop of this year’s …

A bunch of Clemson commitments shined with standout performances in their respective teams’ games this weekend.

The Clemson Insider was on hand to see Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian’s Christopher Vizzina play on the first stop of this year’s Tour of Champions

Clemson’s five-star quarterback commit accounted for more than 300 total yards and four total touchdowns in his team’s 36-29 victory over Chilton County (Clanton, Ala.).

With Briarwood Christian down by one point late in the fourth quarter, Vizzina connected for a 41-yard completion to help set up his quarterback keeper with eight seconds remaining — his second rushing touchdown of the game — that gave Briarwood Christian a 34-29 advantage. The future Tiger then hit a jump pass two-point conversion that provided the final margin of victory.

Vizzina finished 13-of-27 passing for 223 yards and had two touchdown passes while also rushing 13 times for 110 yards and two more scores on the ground.

As for Thomspon (Alabaster, Ala.) five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods, he helped his team capture their first win of the season in a 34-14 defeat of Vestavia Hills (Ala.) on Friday.

First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) four-star tight end Olsen Patt Henry accounted for six receptions with 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 loss vs. Chardon (Naples, Fla.) on Friday.

As for Vandegrift (Austin, TX.) four-star offensive lineman Ian Reed, he caught his first career touchdown pass on a trick play in his team’s 45-0 win over (Texas) on Friday.

In addition, Rockwall (Texas) four-star wide receiver Noble Johnson had two receptions with 22 yards in his team’s 51-23 win over Dallas (Texas) Jesuit on Friday.

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

OL Zechariah Owens, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.): 28-21 loss vs. Calvary Day (Savannah, Ga.) — DID NOT PLAY (injury)

OL Harris Sewell, Permian (Odessa, TX.): 42-21 win vs. Midway (Waco, TX.)

DL Stephiylan Green, Rome (Ga.): 23-6 loss vs. Carrolton (Ga.)

LB Jamal Anderson, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) 33-0 win vs. Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)

CB Avieon Terell, Westlake (Atlanta, Ga.): 30-20 loss vs. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.)

CB Shelton Lewis, Stockbridge (Ga.): 33-30 loss vs. Dougherty (Albany, Ga.)

S Kylen Webb, Sumner (Riverview, Fla.): 20-0 win vs. Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.) — DID NOT PLAY (injury)

* Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge, MA.) is currently missing a scoring update, so there are no results are stats available on Ronan Hanafin at the moment.

* Woodward Academy (Atlanta, Ga.) four-star DE AJ Hoffler, Denmark (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star LB Dee Crayton, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star CB Branden Strozier and Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star S Rob Billings all had byes this past Friday.

* Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) three-star TE Markus Dixon’s season doesn’t start until next Friday, Sept. 9

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

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Priority WR target hears from Clemson, looking to visit next month

As the clock struck midnight on Sept. 1, Tyler Grisham was among one of the first coaches to reach out to Alex Taylor. If you follow Clemson football recruiting, it should come as no surprise, but for the four-star receiver out of Greensboro (N.C.) …

As the clock struck midnight on Sept. 1, Tyler Grisham was among one of the first coaches to reach out to Alex Taylor.

If you follow Clemson football recruiting, it should come as no surprise, but for the four-star receiver out of Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley High School, it was a long time coming.

Clemson’s wide receivers coach immediately sent Taylor a graphic. Later Thursday, Grisham made a group chat with Taylor and his family,

“He told me how pumped he is to text me and get me back up there for a game anytime,” Taylor recently told The Clemson Insider. “We don’t always talk about football. He makes sure to ask about me and my family every time we speak. That’s really kind of the family atmosphere that I’m looking for in a college.”

In addition to Clemson, Taylor heard from schools like UNC, N.C. State, Penn State, Maryland, Florida, Virginia Tech, Charlotte, Wake Forest, Liberty and Michigan State. 

“It’s much easier just to text them,” Taylor said of having direct contact with college coaches. “They can send me any game invites just like that. I can communicate with them just like that. Seeing who definitely wants to reach out to me as well, seeing if I’m a priority that way.”

Regarding a potential game-day visit to Clemson, Taylor said that he “definitely” wants to make it for the N.C. State game on Oct. 1. He also wants to take game day visits to Penn State, N.C. State, Virginia Tech and some in-state schools.

Taylor has never experienced a game day at Memorial Stadium before.

“I’ve seen the videos, coming down the hill and stuff,” he said. “They got the new scoreboard. If I go to the N.C. State game, that should be sold out.”

Taylor’s junior season has gotten off to a hot start. He’s looking to score 10 touchdowns this season as one of his personal goals and he already has three scores in two games. 

In Grimsley’s 42-14 win over Clayton (N.C.) on Aug. 19, Taylor totaled two touchdowns, to go along with 87 receiving yards. In Grimsley’s most recent victory, Taylor scored the game-winning touchdown to knock off Reagan (Pfafftown, N.C.) 40-34.

Grimsley had a bye this past Friday, but the priority receiver target’s junior campaign is off to a great start.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

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Tour of Champions: Clemson’s 5-star QB commit catches up with TCI after another gutsy win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Clemson’s five-star quarterback commit did it again. Christopher Vizzina accounted for more than 300 total yards and four total touchdowns in Briarwood Christain School’s 36-29 victory over Chilton County (Clanton, Ala.) on …

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Clemson’s five-star quarterback commit did it again.

Christopher Vizzina accounted for more than 300 total yards and four total touchdowns in Briarwood Christain School’s 36-29 victory over Chilton County (Clanton, Ala.) on Friday.

“It was similar to last week, but we didn’t really want that,” Vizzina told The Clemson Insider in an exclusive interview following Friday night’s game. “We started off really slow offensively, picked it up. Defense, same thing. After halftime, we really settled down — decided that we were actually gonna win it. That’s how it went. I’m proud of our team. I’m proud of everybody. It took a lot of guts to pull that out.”

That it did.

And for the second consecutive week, Vizzina led Briarwood to another come-from-behind victory. The Lions trailed 14-0 after the first quarter and then trailed 29-28 with one minute and 21 seconds remaining.

The moment never proved to be too big for Vizzina.

He stayed calm, cool and collected, just as he did the week before.

“I would just say it being my senior year,” Vizzina said when asked where that poise comes from. “I’ve been through a lot of different games, a lot of different situations. It doesn’t get more chaotic than that. After doing that a couple of times, it’s like man, I’ve done this before, we can do this.”

It started at halftime. Tied at 14, Vizzina told his team that it was a similar situation to last week and that they could go out for the next 24 minutes and win it right here and there. The game was for the taking.

“We were playing hard before the end of the first half,” he said. “It kind of carried over and we punched them in the mouth in the second half.”

Vizzina finished Friday’s contest 13-of-27 passing for 223 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions, while also rushing 13 times for 110 yards and two more scores on the ground.

His ability to tuck the ball and run on some designed plays was the difference.

“I kind of go into (the game) expecting to run a lot,” Vizzina said. “I love doing that too. I like to throw first, obviously, it’s my favorite thing to do, but I like to run too.”

He’ll surely be hearing from his future head coach, Dabo Swinney, just as he did last week. Last Saturday morning, he woke up to a text from Swinney, who had sent him the video of his walk-off touchdown against Spain Park. 

Swinney was showing off Vizzina to all his Birmingham folks, but with Briarwood set to take on Pelham High School — Swinney’s alma-mater next Friday — we’ll see if that same sentiment remains.

“We’re texting all the time, always talking to Coach Swinney,” Vizzina said. “That’s one thing that I could say and all the rest of the commits is just because we’re committed doesn’t mean they stop recruiting us. They would recruit us, I would say even harder. They recruit us because we fit them and they fit us. They still recruit us super hard and I don’t see anybody decommitting.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Tour of Champions: Clemson’s 5-star QB commit shines in comeback win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Clemson’s five-star quarterback commitment shined in a comeback win Friday night. Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian’s Christopher Vizzina accounted for more than 300 total yards and four total touchdowns in his team’s 36-29 …

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Clemson’s five-star quarterback commitment shined in a comeback win Friday night.

Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian’s Christopher Vizzina accounted for more than 300 total yards and four total touchdowns in his team’s 36-29 victory over Chilton County (Clanton, Ala.).

With Briarwood Christian down by one point late in the fourth quarter, Vizzina connected for a 41-yard completion to help set up his quarterback keeper with eight seconds remaining -— his second rushing touchdown of the game -— that gave Briarwood Christian a 34-29 advantage. The future Tiger then hit a jump pass two-point conversion that provided the final margin of victory.

Vizzina finished 13-of-27 passing for 223 yards and had two touchdown passes while also rushing 13 times for 110 yards and two more scores on the ground.

The Clemson Insider was on hand to see Vizzina play on the first stop of this year’s Tour of Champions. You can check out clips from his impressive performance below:

https://twitter.com/ClemsonInsider/status/1565884674441977858

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Nation’s No. 1 LB hears from Clemson, expects to visit next week

The nation’s top-ranked linebacker in the 2024 recruiting class heard from Clemson this week and expects to be back in Tiger Town a week from today. Jefferson (Ga.) five-star Sammy Brown was contacted by multiple members of Clemson’s staff – …

The nation’s top-ranked linebacker in the 2024 recruiting class heard from Clemson this week and expects to be back in Tiger Town a week from today.

Jefferson (Ga.) five-star Sammy Brown was contacted by multiple members of Clemson’s staff – including head coach Dabo Swinney, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Wes Goodwin and co-defensive coordinator Mickey Conn – on Thursday, Sept. 1, when college coaches across the country could begin actively reaching out to junior prospects in the class of 2024.

“I heard from most of the defensive coaching staff, Coach Goodwin, Coach Conn, etc.,” Brown told The Clemson Insider. “I actually heard from Coach Swinney as well.”

Brown became the first prospect in the 2024 class to receive an offer from Clemson when he picked up the offer while on campus for the program’s underclassmen day March 12. He then returned on April 6 to take in the Tigers’ final spring practice prior to their April 9 spring game, before most recently traveling back to campus for another visit during the Swinney Camp in June.

The 6-foot-2, 227-pound blue-chip recruit told TCI he is planning to visit Clemson again for its first home game of the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Furman.

“I think that we’re going to the Furman game next week,” he said. “My parents went to Furman, so kinda lines up.”

The Tigers are one of many prominent suitors for Brown, whose extensive list of more than two dozen offers also includes schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Tennessee, to name some.

Brown said with a laugh that the recruiting process has been “a little crazy” for him since the calendar turned to Sept. 1 and coaches could start directly contacting him.

“But it’s been good to finally be able to talk to these coaches in real time!” he said.

“It definitely makes it a lot easier to be in communication with the coaches,” he added. “I don’t have to call through my dad and what not. I really look forward to talking with all the coaches on a regular basis and building that relationship even further.”

Brown is the No. 2 prospect in the Peach State, No. 1 linebacker nationally and No. 9 overall prospect in the country for the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Which prospects have heard from Clemson since the clock struck midnight Sept. 1?

When the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to September, college coaches from around the country were permitted to contact prospects in the class of 2024. The Clemson Insider wanted to compile a list of prospects that have posted …

When the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to September, college coaches from around the country were permitted to contact prospects in the class of 2024.

The Clemson Insider wanted to compile a list of prospects that have posted graphics that they received from Clemson’s recruiting staff or that we’ve confirmed have heard from the Tigers since 12 a.m. this morning.

  • Willis (Texas) five-star QB DJ Lagway
  • Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville four-star QB Kamari McClellan
  • Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb four-star RB David Eziomume
  • Aiken (S.C.) Midland Valley four-star RB Traevon Dunbar
  • Saint Matthews (S.C.) Calhoun County RB Ahmir Smith
  • Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School RB Ryan Henley
  • Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M. Cummings School four-star WR Jonathan Paylor
  • Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley High four-star WR Alex Taylor
  • Cartersville (Georgia) Cass High four-star WR Sacovie White
  • Greenville (S.C.) four-star WR Mazeo Bennett
  • Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run four-star WR Keylen Adams
  • Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton High four-star WR Debron Gatling
  • Loganville (Ga.) Grayson four-star TE Kylan Fox
  • Katy (Texas) three-star TE Ian Flynt
  • Dorchester (S.C.) four-star OT Kam Pringle
  • Dillion (S.C.) four-star OT Josiah Thompson
  • Greenville (S.C.) four-star OT Blake Franks
  • Spartanburg (S.C.) Broome High OT Steven Odell
  • Vandegrift (Texas) OT Blake Frazier
  • Daphne (Ala.) Bayside Academy OT Graham Uter
  • Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy five-star DL Hevin Brown-Shuler
  • Birmingham (Ala.) Parker High four-star DL Jeremiah Beaman
  • Lawrenceville (Ga.) Mountain View four-star DE Justin Greene
  • Windsor (CT.) The Loomis Chaffe School four-star DE Jerod Smith
  • Pike Road (Ala.) three-star DE Malik Blocton
  • Greenville (S.C.) DE Jayden Wilson-Abrams
  • Arden (N.C.) Christ School EDGE Josh Harrison
  • Jefferson (Ga.) five-star LB Sammy Brown
  • Olney (MD.) Our Lady Good Counsel four-star LB Aaron Chiles
  • Navarre (Fla.) four-star LB Zavier Hamilton
  • Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star LB Andrew Hines III
  • Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s Prep School four-star CB Omillio Agard
  • Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star CB Tavoy Feagin
  • Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy four-star CB Kaleb Beasley
  • Chula Vista (Calif.) Mater Dei Catholic three-star CB Isaiah Buxton
  • College Park (Ga.) Douglas County CB Israel “Jacob” Boyce
  • Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons CB Guy Edmond, Jr.
  • North Fort Myers (Fla.) CB Rashad Snow
  • Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County four-star S Noah Dixon
  • Buford (Ga.) five-star ATH K.J. Bolden
  • Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview four-star ATH Mike Matthews
  • Chattanooga (Tenn.) Christian School four-star ATH Boo Carter
  • Jacksonville (Ala.) High School ATH KyDric Fisher
  • Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough K Nolan Hauser

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

 

Coach recaps Clemson’s 5-star QB commit’s walk-off win, previews Friday night matchup

Ahead of Christopher Vizzina’s third game of his senior campaign, The Clemson Insider caught up with his head coach at Briarwood Christian (Alabama) School, Matthews Forester. Forester recapped Briarwood’s 23-21 win over Spain Park, in which Vizzina …

Ahead of Christopher Vizzina’s third game of his senior campaign, The Clemson Insider caught up with his head coach at Briarwood Christian (Alabama) School, Matthews Forester.

Forester recapped Briarwood’s 23-21 win over Spain Park, in which Vizzina totaled 358 yards from scrimmage with three total touchdowns (two running, one passing). He went 22-of-32 passing for 260 yards while adding another 98 yards on the ground.

“He played excellent. He played really good. He played really smart,” Forester said. “And then ultimately under pressure, he was calm, cool and collected. You feel good leaving that game, knowing that the guy you’re counting on — your quarterback — could handle the pressure, enjoy the pressure and played really well. He made all the right reads. He had time to make the reads — part of it is credit to his offensive line, what a great job they did…Our offensive line gave him time and when he has time, he can make the throws. He made some pretty special throws on Friday, but he also made all the right reads.”

With 58 seconds left, down by four, Vizzina walked up to the offensive huddle and said to Briarwood’s offensive coordinator, Bobby Kerley, “Let’s go.”

“Christopher does a great job of controlling the safeties with his eyes and then he hits our comeback routes that are on the sidelines,” Forester said. “We pretty much marched down the field, knowing that we’ve got time — 58 seconds, 60-yards away. We feel comfortable. He does a great job of using the sidelines. We’re getting out of bounds. We’re real efficient in our time because he’s controlling safeties and even the corners with his eyes and he’s hitting comebacks.”

At one point, Vizzina converts a pass over the middle of the field. He throws a rocket. The guy catches it and then he gets down. Timeout.

On the last play, there was pass interference, which led to an untimed down.

“Coach Kerley gets in the huddle,” Forester recalled. “He gives the play call. He says, ‘He’s gonna be open, hit him.’” The neat part about that, is our receiver, Brady Waugh, maintained his break, started to cut and Christopher’s already released it. To the naked eye, Brady looks wide-open. But from Christopher’s perspective — you can see it in the endzone camera — that there are defensive line hands that are going up and there’s also a backside safety and a middle linebacker that are shooting their hands up. He puts an absolute rocket laser on Brady. Brady makes the catch and we’re good from there to celebrate.

“He had all the confidence. He stepped up and ripped it. He was ready to go and (Waugh) was there.”

It’s moments like those that show Vizzina has that “It” factor.

“One of the fun things that I’ve known about for awhile, he’s a 14-year-old freshman, we’re playing the No. 1 team in the state,” Forester said. “It comes down to the end and he’s making those same throws right down the middle. He’s stepping up into the pocket, while he’s getting hit, as a 14-year-old freshman. He’s done that. We went to overtime last year. We’re down 14 points with five minutes to go and he leads us there, as a junior, to an overtime victory. 

“There’s been these times throughout and to me, this was just another markup that the moment’s not too big for him. He has the it factor, the ability to lead. Our guys, they all respect him. They follow his lead. And so, there was no real panic from our offense, from our coaching staff. It was our time and they executed it to perfection.”

Following a walk-off win, Briarwood starts region play. Forester was able to preview Friday’s matchup against Spain Park.

“We’re really excited,” he said. “For us, our state is divided for the playoffs into the North and the South. We spent the last four years in the northern playoff bracket, so this is our first opportunity to play a region team, but it’s also a first opportunity to get back into the southern part of the bracket. 

“Excited about playing a new team. We probably haven’t played them in 8-10 years. So, getting back to playing them will be fun…It’ll be a good, tough matchup. Excited about the opportunity and just also ready to head back to the South. While the first two games were great, they were ultimately preparing us to be the best team we can be when we play the region. Now we’re getting that opportunity and we’ve learned a lot about ourselves. Excited to play in a region and make noise in the playoffs.”

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