Priority local OL talks latest Clemson visit, where Tigers stand

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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McDonald says this is the reason Clemson is ‘high on my list’ after visit

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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Bart Boatwright’s recruit photo gallery: Clemson-Syracuse Game

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.

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New Clemson offers go out Saturday

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.

Standout Alabama DL picks up Clemson offer on visit

A standout defensive lineman from Alabama picked up an offer from Clemson while on a visit to Tiger Town for today’s game. Pike Road (Ala.) 2024 three-star defensive end Malik Blocton announced the offer on Twitter. Blocton (6-4, 265) also holds …

A standout defensive lineman from Alabama picked up an offer from Clemson while on a visit to Tiger Town for today’s game.

Pike Road (Ala.) 2024 three-star defensive end Malik Blocton announced the offer on Twitter.

Blocton (6-4, 265) also holds offers from schools such as Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Blocton made his first-ever visit to Clemson for the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer.

“It was amazing,” he told The Clemson Insider. “I had always wanted to go visit Clemson because of my relationship with Coach (Nick) Eason and it seemed like a good place to be, but when I got up there, it blew me away.”

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McDonald ‘close to a decision’ ahead of Clemson visit

Four-star defensive lineman Kayden McDonald is coming to Death Valley this weekend ahead of his highly anticipated college decision announcement expected on Monday, Oct. 31. This weekend’s visit will be closing time for the Tigers. McDonald, who’s …

Four-star defensive lineman Kayden McDonald is coming to Death Valley this weekend ahead of his highly anticipated college decision announcement expected on Monday, Oct. 31.  This weekend’s visit will be closing time for the Tigers.

McDonald, who’s from North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) High School, spoke to The Clemson Insider and detailed expectations about this visit and how close he is to a commitment.

“I’m close to a decision,” McDonald told The Clemson Insider.

The defensive lineman expressed what he looks forward to the most this Saturday, as Clemson hosts an undefeated, confident Syracuse team in Death Valley.

“The atmosphere, the players and talking with coach Swinney and the staff,” he said. “The atmosphere with the students around, the locker room culture and see if it’s a family atmosphere with the staff.”

With Clemson in his top five schools, alongside the likes of Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State, McDonald shared what makes Clemson a stand out program to him.

“Close to home,” he said. “The academic’s Paw Journey and Championship Program.”

He was candid with his prediction for how he believes Syracuse will match up against the Tigers in Memorial Stadium.

As for a score prediction of the highly anticipated game in Death Valley, McDonald said, “41-17.”

McDonald, who is the No. 8 defensive tackle in his class, also had a prediction for what he expects from Clemson’s defensive line this Saturday.

“To play fast and stop the run,” he said.

Since Clemson extended the offer to McDonald in May the Tigers have been one of his top schools.  He recently included Clemson among his top five schools.

With a college decision on the horizon for McDonald, he shared which coach he’s most excited to meet during his time in Death Valley.

“I’ve never met Coach Swinney, so I wanna meet him,” he said.

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Barnes can’t wait to see ‘lit’ Death Valley

After decommitting from Wake Forest and reopening his recruitment, Khalil Barnes has been a target for Clemson. Barnes will be in Death Valley this weekend for the Syracuse game. Shortly after receiving an offer from the Tigers Barnes was in …

After decommitting from Wake Forest and reopening his recruitment, Khalil Barnes has been a target for Clemson.

Barnes will be in Death Valley this weekend for the Syracuse game.  Shortly after receiving an offer from the Tigers Barnes was in attendance when Clemson defeated Wake Forest in double overtime.

The three-star defensive back from North Oconee High School in Bogart (Ga.) has had interest from many ACC and SEC schools. Barnes spoke to The Clemson Insider and detailed what makes a program like Clemson stand out in his eyes.

“The relationships that are built there,” Barnes told The Clemson Insider. “Obviously they love the players, but they are also always trying to make everyone the best men and fathers they can be.”

It’s the community culture that coach Dabo Swinney has created that has attracted Barnes attention. He expressed his excitement to meet Swinney and be able to experience the atmosphere of a home game in Death Valley.

“Most definitely excited to be able to talk and meet with coach Swinney pregame and see what he has to say,” he said. “Also, just experiencing Death Valley in person will be lit.”

Barnes, who will be accompanied by some other 2023 prospects, is excited to connect with the Clemson coaches during his time in Death Valley.

Barnes said he looks forward to meeting with coach Swinney, but also talking with co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Mickey Conn and defensive coordinator Wesley Goodwin.

Both Goodwin and Conn have actively recruited Barnes since the Tigers offered earlier this fall.  His versatility is one reason he is a target for the Clemson defensive staff.

Barnes, who’s offer list includes Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech, is looking to take one key thing away from his visit this weekend at Clemson.

“Honestly, just want to keep seeing and feeling the love from there.”

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Tigers set to host top prospects for Syracuse game

Clemson will play host to a bunch of top prospects for Saturday’s 12 p.m. game against Syracuse. Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the top-15 ACC Atlantic Division showdown at Death Valley: …

Clemson will play host to a bunch of top prospects for Saturday’s 12 p.m. game against Syracuse.

Here are some of the bigger names The Clemson Insider has confirmed as planned visitors for the top-15 ACC Atlantic Division showdown at Death Valley:

One of the headliners among the recruits expected to be in attendance is Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.) four-star defensive end Tomarrion Parker (pictured above), who will be on campus as an official visitor.

Parker, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior in the class of 2023, is down to Clemson, Penn State, Texas A&M and Tennessee. Last week, he announced a commitment date of Nov. 21.

Clemson extended an offer to Parker on Aug. 11, after he decommitted from Penn State a couple days prior.

“I always wanted to say that Clemson offered,” Parker told The Clemson Insider shortly after being offered. “We’ve been talking for a little while and once I decommitted, some of the commits, some of my friends that I know — Peter Woods and (Christopher) Vizzina — they hit me up and they were like, ‘Bro, would you be interested in Clemson?’

“Are you kidding me? Of course!”

Since Clemson has re-entered the picture, what has defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall’s message been to Parker?

“He’s losing four guys (Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry, Myles Murphy and Justin Mascoll) this year to the NFL, so he needs players who are ready to come in and play early, play right away,” Parker said, “and he feels like I’m a guy that can do that. He’s gonna recruit me hard and I really like that and respect that — saying that the defensive room is open next year. That’s a great opportunity to go into.”

Parker, who went to Tennessee last weekend for its game against Alabama, was previously at Clemson on an unofficial visit for the Sept. 10 game vs. Furman.

He is ranked as high as the No. 6 defensive lineman and No. 44 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports.

A few other significant 2023 prospects slated to be on hand for Saturday’s game as unofficial visitors are Daniel High School (Central, S.C.) three-star athlete Misun Kelley, North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.) three-star athlete Khalil Barnes and North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) four-star defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

Kelley received an offer from Clemson on Oct. 7, shortly after decommitting from Virginia Tech.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers offered the 5-foot-11, 177-pound senior as an athlete. According to Kelley, Clemson sees him as an electric, versatile weapon that can return punts, shut down opposing receivers and/or score touchdowns.

“Swinney had called me and told me that I had been balling on the field,” Kelley told TCI after scoring the offer. “He said that they were ready to 100% offer me. I’ve been talking to (wide receivers coach Tyler) Grisham and (defensive coordinator Wes) Goodwin too a lot.”

In addition to Clemson, Kelley mentioned schools like Virginia Tech, James Madison, Maryland, Oklahoma and Florida as those currently involved in his recruitment. He’s hoping to render a decision prior to December.

Barnes (6-1, 185) reopened his recruitment and decommitted from Wake Forest on Oct. 3.

Ever since Clemson offered Barnes on Sept. 22, he’s been in constant contact with Goodwin and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Mickey Conn. He said that his conversations with Goodwin and Conn are more personable, that they don’t talk about football.

“I feel like I talk to him the most out of any coach from up there,” Barnes said to TCI of Conn. “I can call him, and we can probably talk about what I had for lunch and have a good conversation. He always lets me know that at Clemson, they really want me. He feels that I’m the guy that they need to have with this recruiting class. It’s good talks for sure.”

After this weekend’s unofficial visit, Barnes will make his way back to Clemson for the South Carolina game on Nov. 26 and take an official visit that weekend.

As far as a decision timeline is concerned, Barnes imagines that it’ll likely come close to the early signing period. He’s hoping to be a midyear enrollee and said that all the schools he’s been in contact with will be able to accommodate him on that.

As for McDonald, he announced a top five earlier this month featuring the Tigers along with Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State. He is ranked as high as the No. 193 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals, which considers him the nation’s No. 8 defensive tackle in his class.

Clemson extended an offer to the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder in late May.

“It’s a blessing,” McDonald told TCI after receiving the offer. “Clemson’s a school that doesn’t really throw out a whole lot of offers. Clemson is a great, top-five program. In the last five years, they’ve won nattys. It’s a great program that doesn’t really throw out offers, so it’s a blessing to have an offer.”

The headliner among the 2024 prospects planning to be in attendance is Willis (Texas) five-star quarterback DJ Lagway.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior is ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the country and No. 25 overall prospect in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Lagway dropped his top 10 schools last month, announcing he is down to Clemson, Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Southern Cal, Alabama and Baylor.

Clemson got him on campus for a pair of unofficial visits in April and June.

It didn’t come as a surprise when he included Swinney’s program as a part of his top schools. He recently went into detail with TCI about why the Tigers are one of his favorites.

“I’d say because of the atmosphere — the Christian-based atmosphere,” Lagway explained. “It’s just amazing. It’s different than any other school. I feel like that’s the reason why it sets Clemson apart.”

Some other standout prospects set to visit Clemson for Saturday’s game are Tuscaloosa County High School (Northport, Ala.) 2023 three-star athlete Sawyer Deerman, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) 2024 four-star offensive lineman Blake Frazier, Pike Road (Ala.) 2024 three-star defensive end Malik Blocton, North Cobb (Kennesaw, Ga.) 2024 athlete David Eziomume, Carrollton (Ga.) 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis and Dillon (S.C.) 2026 quarterback Josiah Oxendine.

As always, visitor lists like this are fluid and subject to change. But as of Thursday morning, the prospects mentioned in this article are some of the bigger names TCI expects to be on hand Saturday in The Valley.

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Owens back with Tigers after FSU visit reinforces how different Clemson is

Clemson has regained a verbal commitment for its 2023 recruiting class. After decommitting from the Tigers last week, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.) four-star offensive tackle Zechariah Owens has opted to jump back on board with …

Clemson has regained a verbal commitment for its 2023 recruiting class.

After decommitting from the Tigers last week, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.) four-star offensive tackle Zechariah Owens has opted to jump back on board with Dabo Swinney’s program.

On Tuesday, Owens (6-6, 350) announced his decision to re-commit to Clemson.

“After a long time of thinking, praying and reconsidering my family and I have decided that I will stay and continue to be committed to Clemson University,” Owens wrote in a Twitter post. “I want to thank the clemson coaching staff and my fellow teammates for sticking beside me through this and also i want to thank everyone for reaching out to my family and I through this process but with that being said I’m 1000% ALLIN #GOTIGERS”

Owens originally committed to the Tigers on July 5 of this year before withdrawing his verbal pledge last week.

Owens told The Clemson Insider in a message last Thursday that it was a decision he made in the best interest of himself and his family.

“I love my family to death and I stick beside them just how they would me,” he said.

After walking back his pledge from Swinney’s program, Owens made an unofficial visit to Florida State this past weekend, and we can tell you his time in Tallahassee reinforced how different Clemson is.

Owens obviously had a change of heart regarding his decommitment decision and wanted to get back in the fold with the Tigers. Swinney then had a decision to make, and of course, it appears any wounds that might’ve existed have now been healed.

Clemson extended an offer to Owens after he attended the Tigers’ junior day in early March. He was back on campus to watch Clemson’s first scrimmage of the spring at Memorial Stadium on March 30, then returned to Tiger Town for an official visit from June 3-5. He was also on campus to participate in the Dabo Swinney Camp last summer.

Owens is ranked as high as the No. 121 overall prospect in the country for the 2023 class by 247Sports, which considers him the nation’s No. 16 offensive tackle and No. 10 prospect from the Peach State regardless of position.

He lists more than 30 total offers, including offers from schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tennessee and Southern Cal.

Owens is planning to be an early enrollee.

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

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Top Virginia CB talks ‘great visit’ to Clemson, has Tigers high on his list

A prominent cornerback prospect from Virginia recently made his way back to Clemson for another unofficial visit. Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, Va.) four-star Asaad Brown returned to campus for the NC State game at Death Valley on Oct. 1, …

A prominent cornerback prospect from Virginia recently made his way back to Clemson for another unofficial visit.

Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, Va.) four-star Asaad Brown returned to campus for the NC State game at Death Valley on Oct. 1, when he had the opportunity to experience Clemson’s famous pregame tradition for the first time.

Brown – ranked as high as the No. 10 cornerback and No. 116 overall prospect in the 2024 class – was also able to catch up with members of the Tigers’ staff, including cornerbacks coach Mike Reed and head man Dabo Swinney.

“It was a great visit,” Brown told The Clemson Insider. “Got a chance to sit down with Coach Swinney, Coach Reed. I enjoyed them running down the hill and the buses pulling around. It was definitely different to see it face-to-face.”

Brown had previously visited Clemson in June, when he picked up an offer from the Tigers.

The 6-foot, 178-pound junior feels his relationship with Clemson’s coaches “definitely” grew stronger during the latest visit this month, and he likes what defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and the Tigers are doing on the that side of the ball.

One of the biggest things that stands out to Brown about Clemson, he said, is the coaching staff.

“They’re personal, relatable, and they seem like they know what they’re talking about,” he said. “I like the defensive coordinator, Coach Goodwin. I like what he’s done as far as the schemes he runs, and we talked about it a couple times. So, I like Clemson.”

Brown hopes to see early playing time when he joins his college of choice, and he views Clemson as a place where that could happen.

“If I come there, my plan is to get on the field when I get there, so do everything I can to make that happen,” he said. “I see Coach Reed plays the young guys, so I’m not worried about that.”

During Clemson’s 30-20 win over NC State, Brown enjoyed watching his former Oscar Smith teammate – Tigers freshman safety Sherrod Covil – see action and record a few tackles against the Wolfpack.

Brown has a close bond with Covil and said they continue to talk “on the regular.”

“He’s definitely coming into his own,” Brown said. “He’s doing good.”

Brown has also made several other trips this season, including ones to North Carolina, NC State and Virginia Tech. A couple more visits he has scheduled are to Penn State (Oct. 29) and LSU (Nov. 5).

In September, Brown dropped a top 10 featuring Clemson along with Arkansas, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State and Penn State.

As for where Clemson stands among his favorites, the Tigers are in the upper tier of that group.

“They’re definitely in my top three,” he said.

–Photo courtesy of Asaad Brown on Twitter (@AsaadJr)

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!