A Clemson defensive tackle target in the 2023 class has committed elsewhere. Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star Kayden McDonald announced his verbal pledge to Ohio State on Monday evening. McDonald (6-2, 325) chose the Buckeyes over his other …
A Clemson defensive tackle target in the 2023 class has committed elsewhere.
Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star Kayden McDonald announced his verbal pledge to Ohio State on Monday evening.
McDonald (6-2, 325) chose the Buckeyes over his other finalists in Clemson, Florida, Michigan and Oklahoma.
Clemson extended an offer to McDonald in late May, and he made an unofficial visit to campus for the Syracuse game on Oct. 22. At that time, all signs pointed to a commitment to the Tigers, but things can change quickly in recruiting and that was the case with McDonald’s recruitment.
Ohio State and Oklahoma both made recent visits to North Gwinnett to see McDonald play, and the Buckeyes ended up coming out on top for his commitment.
McDonald is ranked as high as the No. 195 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals, which considers him the nation’s No. 8 defensive tackle in his class.
Although Clemson missed out on McDonald, the Tigers still hold commitments from three of the nation’s top defensive tackles in Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson five-star Peter Woods, Warner Robins (Ga.) four-star Vic Burley and Rome (Ga.) four-star Stephiylan Green.
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This tight end prospect from the Peach State, closing in on double-digit Power Five offers, made his first-ever gameday visit to Death Valley earlier this season. Milton (Ga.) High School’s Ryan Ghea, a standout sophomore in the class of 2025, …
This tight end prospect from the Peach State, closing in on double-digit Power Five offers, made his first-ever gameday visit to Death Valley earlier this season.
Milton (Ga.) High School’s Ryan Ghea, a standout sophomore in the class of 2025, traveled to Clemson for the 3:30 p.m. game against Furman back on Sept. 10.
“It was just the atmosphere overall,” Ghea said, reflecting on what stood out to him about the gameday visit. “I came for a midday game, and it was practically sold out. And then it was just how Coach (Kyle) Richardson used the tight ends in the passing game.”
Speaking of Richardson, the Tigers’ first-year passing game coordinator and tight ends coach, Ghea said he reached out to his head coach at Milton about Ghea returning to Clemson for another game this season.
According to Ghea, Richardson and the Tigers want him to come back for the Nov. 19 matchup against Miami, and that’s something he plans to do if his team’s playoff schedule permits.
“Working with my parents to get back,” he said. “Our playoffs have been moved to Sat. Waiting to see if this one is too.”
Ghea said the interest from Clemson and fact the Tigers hope to get him back on campus “means a lot” to him.
“Just trying to stay humble in the whole process and just keep my head down and work hard,” he added.
When Ghea visited Clemson for the Furman game, he was able to spend a lot of time with offensive player development coach Tajh Boyd and had some individual time with Richardson as well.
Milton (Ga.) High School 2025 tight end Ryan Ghea with Clemson passing game coordinator/tight ends coach Kyle Richardson
“I like how he envisions me there, like how he thinks that I would fit well with their culture,” Ghea said of Richardson. “When we were talking, he showed me examples of players that are in his tight end room right now that are kind of like me.”
According to Ghea (6-5.5, 220), Richardson likens him to Clemson sophomore tight end Jake Briningstool (6-6, 230).
“He compares me to him because I’m practically almost the same weight he was when he came in and I’m the same height as him,” Ghea said. “So, that’s really how he compared me there.”
How does Ghea describe himself as a tight end?
“I would describe myself as very versatile,” he said, “whether it’s blocking anybody – outside, inside the box – and then being a pass catcher, willing to come out of the backfield, on-the-line tight end, going in the slot, anywhere.”
Ghea has also attended Georgia Tech, Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Cincinnati games this season.
With the exception of South Carolina, all of those schools have offered Ghea, who also owns offers from schools such as Ohio State, NC State, Louisville and Indiana.
It’s still early in the recruiting process for Ghea, and Clemson of course usually doesn’t offer prospects until the summer before their junior year.
“I would definitely, first of all, appreciate the offer. I would consider it,” he said of Clemson. “But I’m still really early with my recruiting. I’m still trying to figure out what will fit for me.”
Multiple things about Clemson stand out to Ghea when he looks at it as a potential college option, should the Tigers pull the trigger on an offer down the road.
“Definitely the atmosphere and how the gamedays are, like how it is on the field, just how it feels,” he said, “and how they use multiple tight ends.”
What will be important to Ghea whenever he makes his college decision in the future?
“Definitely the education for me,” he said. “How the education fits with what I want to do, and how they treat my family and how comfortable I feel there.”
–Photos courtesy of Ryan Ghea
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Clemson has made a great early impression on this talented young defensive back from the Peach State. Onis Konanbanny (pictured right) of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee High School (Rabun Gap, Ga.) visited Death Valley for the Louisiana Tech game back on Sept. …
Clemson has made a great early impression on this talented young defensive back from the Peach State.
Onis Konanbanny (pictured right) of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee High School (Rabun Gap, Ga.) visited Death Valley for the Louisiana Tech game back on Sept. 17 and told The Clemson Insider he had a “phenomenal and really amazing” experience.
It was the first-ever college football game visit for the 6-foot-2, 170-pound sophomore in the class of 2025.
“I really enjoyed the visit, it was amazing!” Konanbanny told TCI. “I was blown away. My favorite part was the energy in the locker room after the game, the hype warmup and hype video.”
Clemson is among the schools that Konanbanny is highest on at this early juncture of his recruiting process.
“To be honest, any D1 school that would pull the trigger (on an offer) and treat me like family I would consider my favorite,” he said, “but my favorite schools would be Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Oregon State and Michigan.”
Konanbanny, who also visited Coastal Carolina for its game vs. Old Dominion on Oct. 15, looks forward to hopefully returning to Death Valley for another gameday visit in the future.
“It would be a pleasure and a honor to come back to a Clemson game if I get invited again!” he said.
Konanbanny has plenty of time to take visits, build relationships and compile offers, and with multiple years of high school still ahead of him, ultimately plenty of time to figure out where he wants to continue his academic and athletic career down the road.
But what will be important to him when it eventually comes time for him to make his college choice?
“A place I can call home, a place where I am wanted and can make an impact on the program,” he said, “a place with a good education and a great environment.”
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Clemson picked up a commitment Saturday afternoon from a standout local prospect. Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) athlete Misun Kelley announced his verbal pledge to the Tigers via Twitter. Prior to his announcement, the talented class of 2023 …
Clemson picked up a commitment Saturday afternoon from a standout local prospect.
Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) athlete Misun Kelley announced his verbal pledge to the Tigers via Twitter.
Prior to his announcement, the talented class of 2023 recruit was kind enough to speak with The Clemson Insider about his decision.
“I committed there because it’d be a great fit for me and I want to be in the College Football Playoff, also,” he said, “and I just want to be held to a higher standard and be able to live life after college football just in case it doesn’t work out for me.”
Kelley, who chose Clemson over a slew of other offers, explained what separated the Tigers from his other two finalists in Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.
“They’re a really good football team,” he said of Clemson. “They send receivers to the league a lot. The thing about Clemson is that I know I can play there as a freshman in some way, doesn’t matter – special teams or just getting reps, it would always be a good thing.”
Kelley originally committed to Virginia Tech in early September, and after withdrawing his pledge from the Hokies on Oct. 6, he reported an offer from Clemson a day later.
The Tigers offered the 5-foot-11.5, 177-pound senior as an athlete, and it’s to be determined whether he will play receiver or defensive back for Dabo Swinney’s team.
“They offered me as an athlete, so I guess they can see me fitting in on both sides,” he said. “They’re going to pick whichever one they feel like I have a career at, and that’s where they’re going to put me.”
Kelley, who made an unofficial visit to Tiger Town for the Syracuse game last Saturday, said he’s known for sure since this past Monday that Clemson is the place where he wanted to continue his academic and athletic career.
The Tigers’ staff was “pretty hyped” when Kelley informed them of his decision, he said, and his relationship with the coaches was a big factor in his college choice.
“That’s another reason why I committed,” he said. “As a recruit you need relationships like that because you’re giving somebody that you don’t really know basically your life and you’re trusting them with it.”
Kelley, who was named to the Shrine Bowl earlier this month, plans to enroll at Clemson next summer.
“It’s very exciting, since I grew up watching them and I’ve always wanted to be a part of something like that,” he said of starting his career at Clemson next year. “This is like another one of my dreams is accomplished. So, I’m very excited about that and being able to work with some great players and great coaches.”
What is Clemson getting in Kelley, both as a player and person?
“Just a very great player, a player who puts a lot of effort in, somebody who can make plays,” he said. “I work very hard, too. Just a great player and a great person.”
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Among the prospects who visited Clemson for the Syracuse game last Saturday and left campus with an offer from the Tigers in tow is Malik Blocton, a standout defensive tackle in the 2024 class from Pike Road (Ala.) High School. Clemson defensive …
Among the prospects who visited Clemson for the Syracuse game last Saturday and left campus with an offer from the Tigers in tow is Malik Blocton, a standout defensive tackle in the 2024 class from Pike Road (Ala.) High School.
Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason paid special attention to Blocton when he participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, and Blocton received an offer from Auburn via Eason back in October 2021 when Eason was still on the coaching staff there.
Pike Road (Ala.) High School 2024 DL Malik Blocton with Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason at Death Valley on Saturday, Oct. 22 (photo courtesy of Malik Blocton)
So the two have a longstanding relationship, and it was Eason who conveyed the Clemson offer to Blocton (6-3, 270) on Saturday.
“Coach Eason told me I had the offer,” Blocton told The Clemson Insider, “and I was really excited when I got it.”
As for Blocton’s trip to Tiger Town on Saturday, it was highlighted by Clemson’s head coach.
“This visit was really fun, and the highlight of the visit was getting to meet Coach Swinney,” Blocton said.
“His energy is amazing!”
The three coaches Blocton spoke with the most while on campus were Eason, defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, all of whom he feels treated him like a priority prospect.
“They all were very excited about me,” Blocton said, “and they made me feel like I wasn’t just any other player.”
Blocton has also been to Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee this season.
Along with Clemson, Auburn and Tennessee, he has brought in offers from schools such as Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, Missouri and Maryland among his 20-plus total offers.
Where does Clemson stand with Blocton following a great visit and big offer last Saturday?
“Clemson is definitely at the top of my offer list,” he said.
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On Tuesday, a local standout and Clemson target set his commitment date. Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) class of 2023 athlete Misun Kelley announced that he will reveal his college decision at 3 p.m. Saturday. Kelly, a 5-foot-11.5, 177-pound …
On Tuesday, a local standout and Clemson target set his commitment date.
Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) class of 2023 athlete Misun Kelley announced that he will reveal his college decision at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Kelly, a 5-foot-11.5, 177-pound senior and Shrine Bowl selection, told The Clemson Insider on Tuesday that he knows where he’s going.
All that’s left for him to do is let the public know his college choice this weekend.
“It feels pretty good to get it wrapped up,” Kelley said of the recruiting process in an interview with TCI previewing his decision. “I’m looking forward to it, just to not be able to be stressed out about recruiting anymore, just have the place I’m going in my mind already set.”
Clemson, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma were the finalists for Kelley, he said, and he commented on why his decision came down to each of those schools.
Clemson: “Clemson, because it’s the hometown school. I can play there early. I could really be their guy since they’re able to watch me a lot since I’m at Daniel High School.”
Virginia Tech: “Virginia Tech, because I know I can play there early as a freshman as soon as I walk in, and I know that I’m their guy.”
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma, just because I know they need help on the receiver side of the ball and I know that’s what I want to play in college.”
Kelley originally committed to Virginia Tech in early September, and after withdrawing his pledge from the Hokies on Oct. 6, he reported an offer from Clemson on Oct. 7. The Tigers offered him as an athlete, and it remains to be seen whether he would play receiver or defensive back for Dabo Swinney’s team if he went to Clemson.
Speaking of Swinney, Kelley had the chance to spend more time with the Tigers’ head coach last Saturday during his unofficial visit for the Syracuse game, and Kelley feels his relationship with Swinney and his staff “got a lot stronger.”
“It was pretty good, pretty fun,” Kelley said of the visit. “Just something I like to do, like be around the coaches, be around people that’s trying to do the same thing as me.”
Kelley plans to be a summer enrollee at his school of choice.
What will that school be getting in him as a player and person?
“A very hard worker, a very good person,” he said. “I like to talk to people. It’s not always about football for me, but when it’s about football I’m pretty serious about it, and I like to work out a lot. If I’m not at school, I’m most likely at the gym or something like that.”
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Clemson played host to this priority local offensive line target last Saturday for the second time in the past two home games. Greenville (S.C.) High School four-star offensive lineman Blake Franks returned to campus for the Tigers’ 27-21 victory …
Clemson played host to this priority local offensive line target last Saturday for the second time in the past two home games.
Greenville (S.C.) High School four-star offensive lineman Blake Franks returned to campus for the Tigers’ 27-21 victory over Syracuse at Death Valley.
“It was great with an amazing atmosphere,” Franks said to The Clemson Insider regarding the gameday visit.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound junior in the class of 2024 also made an unofficial visit to Clemson for its previous home game vs. NC State on Oct. 1 — his first time attending a game in The Valley.
On the Syracuse game visit, he was accompanied by his Greenville teammate, 2024 defensive end Jayden Wilson-Abrams.
“He had a good time watching the game,” Franks said, “and he got to talk to Clemson D-end coach (Lemanski Hall) before we left.”
Franks was able to catch up with various coaches including Thomas Austin, who extended an offer to Franks on behalf of the Tigers in late July.
What was the overall message that Clemson’s offensive line coach conveyed to Franks on Saturday?
“That I’m one of their guys and that I’m a priority,” Franks said.
Franks also had the chance to speak with head coach Dabo Swinney after the game and cited that as the highlight of Saturday’s visit.
“He was happy I got to make it to the game,” Franks said of what he heard from Swinney, “and wanted me to come back to tour the campus sometime.”
Added Franks of what he thinks of Swinney as a coach and person: “I think Coach Swinney is a family man, and when he coaches, he tries to bring that part of him to the way he coaches a little bit.”
Franks, who holds more than a dozen scholarship offers in total, released a top eight last week featuring Clemson along with South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, North Carolina, Miami, Alabama and Florida State.
Did his latest Clemson visit change anything about where the Tigers stand with him at this point in the recruiting process?
“Yeah it changed a little bit,” he said, “but I already thought very highly of Clemson before going to the game.”
Up next for Franks is a visit to Florida State for its game against Georgia Tech this Saturday. He has also been to South Carolina, Miami, Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida this season.
Franks is rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals, which considers him the No. 4 prospect in the Palmetto State, No. 8 offensive guard nationally and No. 250 overall prospect in the country for the 2024 class.
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Top defensive line prospect Kayden McDonald spoke to The Clemson Insider in a follow-up interview following his visit to Clemson on Oct. 22. The four-star defensive lineman from North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) indicated to The Clemson Insider that he …
Top defensive line prospect Kayden McDonald spoke to The Clemson Insider in a follow-up interview following his visit to Clemson on Oct. 22.
The four-star defensive lineman from North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) indicated to The Clemson Insider that he was “close to a decision” prior to his visit to Death Valley. McDonald’s official college decision announcement is expected on Monday, Oct. 31, which means it was imperative that the Tigers made a lasting impression on the class of 2023 target.
McDonald, who has garnered offers from Clemson, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State, among many others, expressed that he wanted to experience the atmosphere of Death Valley and the locker room culture.
After the visit, McDonald indicated to TCI why Clemson would be high on his list.
“Yes, I kind of really love Clemson,” he said. “Opportunity to win a National Championship with my childhood best friend since the playpen has Clemson high on my list. Also, to play with my high school teammate too. It’s close to home.”
After the visit, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound senior indicated that the experience lived up to the hype he expected.
“Had a great time being around the staff, the fans,” he said. “I was with my friend since the playpen when we were little, [Clemson cornerback commit] Avieon [Terrell]. The atmosphere was crazy electric and the locker room was too lit.”
Prior to his visit, McDonald had never met coach Dabo Swinney, which was something he looked forward to doing on Saturday. He wanted to see if the family culture Clemson is known for would stand true during his visit.
“Yes, I talked to the whole staff,” he said. “Meeting with coach Swinney was good.”
After a thrilling win for the Tigers against the Orange, the prospect gave his reaction to the game.
“Insane, they kept fighting and won the game,” he said.
When he reflected on the visit in its entirety, he described his experience after the game as “surreal.”
“Whole visit was lit,” he said. “Probably standing in the middle of the field seeing all the fans was surreal.”
With his college decision announcement on the horizon, the four-star defensive lineman left Clemson with a good perspective of the culture that symbolizes Swinney’s football program.
The Clemson Insider would like to thank Kayden McDonald for sending us the picture.
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Clemson played host to a number of standout prospects for Saturday’s game against Syracuse at Death Valley. Check out pictures of some of the recruits that were on hand for Saturday’s top-15 matchup in Bart Boatwright’s recruit photo gallery for The …
Clemson played host to a number of standout prospects for Saturday’s game against Syracuse at Death Valley.
Check out pictures of some of the recruits that were on hand for Saturday’s top-15 matchup in Bart Boatwright’s recruit photo gallery for The Clemson Insider: LINK.
Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.
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Clemson sent out a number of new offers on Saturday. Handley (Roanoke,Ala.) 2023 running back Jamarius Haynes, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) 2024 four-star offensive lineman Blake Frazier, Pike Road (Ala.) 2024 three-star defensive end Malik Blocton …
Clemson sent out a number of new offers on Saturday.
Handley (Roanoke,Ala.) 2023 running back Jamarius Haynes, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) 2024 four-star offensive lineman Blake Frazier, Pike Road (Ala.) 2024 three-star defensive end Malik Blocton and North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.) 2024 athlete David Eziomume all reported offers on Twitter.
Prior to his visit, McDonald had never met coach Dabo Swinney, which was something he looked forward to doing on Saturday. He wanted to see if the family culture Clemson is known for would stand true during his visit.
