Tag: clemson football recruiting

Nearby receiver talks ‘special’ Clemson visit

A local receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend. After participating in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, Central (S.C.) D W Daniel’s Jaylen Brown-Wallce was back on campus for the Tigers’ 30-20 …

A local receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend.

After participating in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, Central (S.C.) D W Daniel’s Jaylen Brown-Wallce was back on campus for the Tigers’ 30-20 victory over NC State at Death Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1.

“My time at Clemson was amazing,” Brown-Wallace told The Clemson Insider in a message. “It was an overall crazy environment to be in.”

Did anything about Clemson’s game day atmosphere stand out to Brown-Wallace?

“It played a big part in what made the visit so special,” he said. “Just seeing how crazy the atmosphere can get and how great the fans are.”

During his time on campus, Brown-Wallace had a chance to catch up and communicate with Tyler Grisham. Clemson’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator has been in constant contact with the talented in-state receiver.

“I did talk to him,” Brown-Wallace said of Grisham. “He told me he’s watched my film and how he loves it and how I’m having such a great season so far. Just stuff like how good of a player I am. He told me to come back for another game. I told him I’ll be back.”

If Clemson were to pull the trigger on a scholarship offer, what would that mean for Brown-Wallace and his recruitment?

“It would mean a lot knowing that I grew up around Clemson,” he said.

While on campus, Brown-Wallace had a chance to catch up with some of his former Daniel teammates Clay Swinney, Jahiem Lawson, Trent Pearman, Jackson Crosby, Brodey Conn and Boston Miller. He said it was good to chop it up with those particular guys since they are the ones he’s closest with.

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!

Local product reacts to offer from Clemson

Misun Kelley was surprised when he saw that he had an incoming call from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Friday morning. It’s not unusual for Clemson’s head man to give the three-star athlete out of nearby Central (S.C.) D. W. Daniel High School, a …

Misun Kelley was surprised when he saw that he had an incoming call from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Friday morning.

It’s not unusual for Clemson’s head man to give the three-star athlete out of nearby Central (S.C.) D. W. Daniel High School, a phone call. Kelley, who recently walked back his pledge from Virginia Tech, knew that the offer was coming, but he was surprised that it came Friday.

“Swinney had called me and told me that I had been balling on the field,” Kelley told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Friday afternoon. “He said that they were ready to 100% offer me. I’ve been talking to (wide receivers coach Tyler) Grisham and (defensive coordinator Wesley) Goodwin too a lot.”

Clemson offered Kelley as an athlete. According to Kelley, the Tigers see him as an electric, versatile weapon that can return punts, shut down opposing receivers or score touchdowns.

“It feels pretty good,” he said of receiving an offer from Clemson, “but honestly any offer feels pretty good. It feels the same as any offer.”

Kelley has developed a close relationship with both Grisham and Goodwin, which he said has come about more recently.

He went into more detail on his decision to decommit from Virginia Tech on Thursday.

“I wanted to see more schools,” Kelley said. “I know they need me, which I could commit back to, but I just wanted to see other places before I make a final decision.”

In addition to Clemson, Kelley mentions schools like Virginia Tech, James Madison, Maryland, Oklahoma and Florida as those currently involved in his recruitment. He’ll be taking an official visit to James Madison in the near future and also plans to pay visits to both Oklahoma and Florida.

Kelley will be unofficially visiting Clemson on Oct. 22 for the Syracuse game. While Kelley plans on taking an official visit to Clemson, he said that it’s still something that he’ll need to set up with the coaching staff.

Now that Kelley has an offer in hand from the Tigers, he stated that Clemson is a top team in his recruitment, behind that of Virginia Tech and Okhaoma. These upcoming visits will ultimately be a crucial determining factor in his college decision.

“If I go to Clemson, I want to be able to play, which I know I’ll be able to play off the bat,” Kelley said when asked regarding what he’s looking for in a school at the next level. “Just stuff like that. I want to go to a school that I can really play at and they can offer me the best.”

As far as a decision timeline is concerned, Kelley is hoping to render one prior to December.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store. There are only 100 of each signed.

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!

Clemson continues to make strong impression with 4-star Peach State wideout

One of Clemson’s top receiver targets in the 2024 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend. After attending Clemson’s game against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 17, Cass (Cartersville, Ga.) four-star Sacovie White was back on campus for the …

One of Clemson’s top receiver targets in the 2024  recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend.

After attending Clemson’s game against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 17, Cass (Cartersville, Ga.) four-star Sacovie White was back on campus for the Tigers’ 30-20 victory over NC State at Death Valley on Saturday night.

“It was exciting,” White told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview this week. “I got to go up there with a big group of family, not just my mom and my sister. We got to experience what it would feel like if I was to go to that school and play.”

“It was a great atmosphere,” he continued. “It was another night game. The fans were pumped. The coaches were pumped. The players are always pumped. As a kid that could have a chance to play there, it was really exciting.”

White came to the La. Tech game with his mother and sister but was accompanied by a much larger contingent of family members this time around.

He called it a “blessing” to be surrounded by family members this past weekend because he knows that they have his best interest at all times and they’ll not only support him but give him feedback about the schools that they collectively look at.

“Going to see Clemson, everyone’s dream is to go look at a big school like that,” White said. “So, me being one of the few kids in the country to be able to go with my family is awesome.”

Speaking of family, White was introduced to Tyler Grisham’s family. He is really starting to get a feel for Clemson’s wide receivers coach as they improve their relationship and learn more about one another.

“He texts me all the time,” White said when asked about his relationship with Grisham. “I text him about a lot of different things. We have a great relationship now. I know more about him. He knows more about me. That right there is what’s key…that player-coach (relationship) is that main thing you need to win games, to be successful, to do anything.”

Now that White has paid multiple visits to Clemson’s campus, he feels like he’s put himself in a good position to earn an offer from the Tigers.

“They’ve talked to me more than they did the first time about offering me,” he explained. “It just shows that I’m one of a kind. Clemson only offers so many kids and they only offer the kids that they think is gonna make them better in many different ways. For them to show interest in me, taking a chance and throwing a shot at me, is really a blessing.”

Nearly half of Clemson’s class of 2023 commits hail from the Peach State. Seeing the Tigers prioritize recruiting the state of Georgia in consecutive classes is certainly something that White, a Peach State native himself, is keeping an eye on.

“That means that all the top kids that are in Georgia right now in ‘24 and ‘23, they’re starting to go to Clemson,” White said. “So, that means there’s something there that they really like. That’s why I really go and check out Clemson. Because if all these kids are going, they really see something in Clemson, so I’m gonna see if I might see something I like in that school.” 

As far as other gameday visits go, White is planning on going back up to Athens this weekend for the Auburn-Georgia game. White also said that he would like to pay Auburn a visit and he thinks that he might end up visiting Texas A&M as well.

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!

Local product, former ACC pledge announces Clemson offer

A day after backing off his pledge from a fellow ACC school, Central (S.C.) D W Daniel three-star cornerback Misun Kelley now has an offer in hand from Clemson. Kelley announced the offer from the Tigers via social media Friday. Kelley, who plays on …

A day after backing off his pledge from a fellow ACC school, Central (S.C.) D W Daniel three-star cornerback Misun Kelley now has an offer in hand from Clemson.

Kelley announced the offer from the Tigers via social media Friday.

Kelley, who plays on both sides of the ball at Daniel, told The Clemson Insider back in May that believes he could make an impact for the Tigers if they decide to pull the trigger on an offer.

“I think I’m their guy,” he said. “I think I got a talent that they need, playing both ways, just being an athlete all around.”

Clemson made Tar Heel State receiver feel like a priority during visit

The wide receiver prospect who collected Clemson’s first offer at his position, when the Tigers began dispensing offers to class of 2024 recruits, was in attendance at Memorial Stadium for the NC State game last Saturday. Grimsley (Greensboro, N.C.) …

The wide receiver prospect who collected Clemson’s first offer at his position, when the Tigers began dispensing offers to class of 2024 recruits, was in attendance at Memorial Stadium for the NC State game last Saturday.

Grimsley (Greensboro, N.C.) four-star Alex Taylor made the trip to Tiger Town over the weekend with his father and godfather.

“Man, the atmosphere was amazing,” Taylor told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview. “I don’t know how much people went there, but it was super loud. Watching the team run down the hill, we was like right next to them. That was super exciting as well. I got to talk to Coach Swinney and Coach Grisham. It was a good day.”

“Definitely the crowd,” he said regarding what stood out about the atmosphere in Death Valley. “The crowd was super loud. If it wasn’t sold out, it was close to being sold out. All the seats were packed out. It was just a super loud atmosphere and very fun to be in.” 

While on campus, Taylor spent plenty of time with receivers coach Tyler Grisham, as well as Dabo Swinney.

What did it mean for Taylor to get a chance to speak with Clemson’s head coach?

“It was super exciting,”​​ Taylor said. “Growing up, seeing him as one of the Hall of Fame coaches and Clemson being a prestigious school, I was super excited to talk to him for a little bit. Just telling me that I’m one of the only 2024s they’ve offered. They’ve only offered me and Jonathan Paylor. So, that’s super exciting as well, just knowing that I’m on their radar and one of the priorities.”

As for Grisham, Taylor said that he couldn’t really say all that they talked about because it was a lot. They talked for over an hour as Taylor made sure to get down to Clemson on the earlier side.

“We was just talking about a lot of things,” Taylor recalled. “He made me feel like a priority. I kind of toured the campus with (former Clemson receiver and current graduate assistant) Artavis Scott. That was pretty exciting too, talking with him as well since he used to play there about four years ago. Speaking with him about how the recruiting process went with him and how he likes Clemson, now that he’s back with the coaching staff.”

While Taylor felt welcomed by the coaching staff, he was also in the presence of someone he’s become rather close with during the recruiting process. Taylor and Paylor, a four-star receiver out of Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M. Cummings High School made plans to attend the NC State game together and sat with one another during last Saturday’s contest. 

“It was super exciting, just me and him being from the 336 area code,” Taylor said. “We’re not too far away for him. Just putting on for N.C. is just super exciting for us…Being at the game with him and just having a lot of fun and really just sharing the recruiting process with him as well.”

Being a receiver himself, Taylor keyed in on the production that Clemson is getting out of that position. He said that he really liked offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter’s playcalling and how Clemson utilizes its receivers in its offense.

“First few weeks the offense started a little slow, but D.J.’s (Uiagalelei) is getting comfortable and the receivers are playing well,” Taylor said. “Antonio Williams, true freshman, he kind of broke out on the scene. I’ve talked to Adam Randall a little bit already and just him coming back…They give their receivers chances to make big plays just on that slant and go.”

While Grisham hasn’t yet told Taylor how Clemson would plan on using him at the next level, he said that when they get the chance, they’re gonna break down film and take a deep dive into the offense. 

Taylor imagines that’ll likely come after the season. Though, he’s trying to get to either the Miami game on Nov. 19 or the South Carolina game on Nov. 26.

Now that he got to experience his first gameday in The Valley, where does Clemson currently stand in Taylor’s recruitment?

“I don’t really have a list right now, but definitely one of my top schools,” he said. 

As far as his current recruitment is concerned, Taylor said that he’ll drop an offers and interest list after the season. Then, he’ll cut that down to about 10-12 teams in the spring and likely render a college decision next summer

In addition to Clemson, Taylor says that schools like Virginia Tech, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Michigan State and Florida State, have been coming after him the hardest Since Sept. 1, when college coaches could begin directly contacting juniors in the class of 2024 like himself.

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!

Clemson in top group for highly regarded defensive tackle

A four-star defensive lineman from the Peach State dropped his top schools on Thursday and included Clemson on his list. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) High School’s Kayden McDonald announced a top five featuring the Tigers along with Florida, …

A four-star defensive lineman from the Peach State dropped his top schools on Thursday and included Clemson on his list.

North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) High School’s Kayden McDonald announced a top five featuring the Tigers along with Florida, Michigan Oklahoma and Ohio State.

McDonald (6-3, 310) is ranked as high as the No. 193 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals, which ranks him as the nation’s No. 8 defensive tackle in his class.

Clemson extended an offer to McDonald in late May.

“It’s a blessing,” McDonald told The Clemson Insider 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.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store.  There are only 100 of each signed.

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!

4-star OL target has ‘awesome’ visit to Clemson

One of Clemson’s top offensive linemen targets in the 2024 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend. After unofficially visiting back in June when he first picked up an offer from the Tigers, Tuscarora (Leesburg, Va.) four-star offensive …

One of Clemson’s top offensive linemen targets in the 2024 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend. 

After unofficially visiting back in June when he first picked up an offer from the Tigers, Tuscarora (Leesburg, Va.) four-star offensive tackle Fletcher Westphal was back on campus for Clemson’s 30-20 victory over NC State at Death Valley on Saturday night.

Westphal, who was among the many top prospects in attendance for Clemson’s top-10 win, was originally supposed to visit for the Louisville game on Nov. 12 but elected to travel down to Clemson this past weekend instead.

He later told The Clemson Insider that while he was planning for a November visit, he was “definitely glad” that he made this game.

“It was awesome,” Westphal said regarding his first Clemson gameday experience. “I got there early and they toured me around the campus and I could see the fans already set up at 1:30 p.m. tailgating. The excitement was already building that early. It just kept building closer until it got to game time.

“I got to meet the team at the top of the hill at the rock before they enter the field before the game. That was crazy. One of my friends saw me on TV in the crowd.”

Did anything about Clemson’s game day atmosphere stand out to Westphal?

“At the end of the game, the fans ran to the field and everyone sang the Clemson school song,” he said. “I never saw that before any college I visited. (I) enjoyed seeing the team in action on the field and watching the coaches in person. The athleticism and physicality of the Tigers overpowered NC State.”

Westphal also got to spend a good amount of time with both offensive line coach Thomas Austin and offensive player development coach Tyrone Crowder, which he said he didn’t exactly expect to happen.

“Coach Austin wanted to know about my season and the game I had Friday night,” Westphal said regarding what he heard from Clemson’s offensive line coach. “(He) wanted to see how I was playing and how I felt about playing both defense and offense this season. He also gave me a tour of the 100 Yards of Wellness, which was really nice. He seemed calm and ready for game time.”

Westphal made coming to the Clemson game a priority, even though he had an 8-hour trip from Virginia after his Friday night game.

“I think that meant a lot to Coach Austin,” he said.

As far as other visits are concerned, Westphal confirmed his plans to be in attendance for the Michigan State-Ohio State game this Saturday, Oct. 8. Next Saturday, Oct. 15, he plans to be at the Virginia Tech-Miami game in Blacksburg.

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!

Clemson favorite school of in-state WR who had ‘amazing’ visit

A fast-rising receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend. After participating in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.) wide receiver Adonis McDaniel was back on campus for the …

A fast-rising receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class returned to Tiger Town last weekend.

After participating in the Dabo Swinney Camp this past summer, Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.) wide receiver Adonis McDaniel was back on campus for the Tigers’ 30-20 victory over NC State at Death Valley on Saturday night.

“My time down at Clemson was amazing,” McDaniel wrote to The Clemson Insider in a message. “I’ve been to Clemson for camp and things like that, but that was my first ever home game being in Tiger Town. The atmosphere was great, very electric. The fanbase is extraordinary. The coaching was very welcoming and very loving. Just overall a great experience.”

Did anything about Clemson’s game day experience stand out to McDaniel?

“The light show they did before (the game), that was pretty dope, and the Howard’s Rock entrance,” he said.

During his time on campus, McDaniel had a chance to communicate with Tyler Grisham. Clemson’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator has been in constant contact with the talented in-state receiver, who currently holds offers from schools like Gardner-Webb, Newberry and the University of Charleston.

“I was able to talk to him,” McDaniel said of Grisham. “He was one of the first guys to talk to me. What he said was, of course, he was happy to see me, but he said what I’ve been putting on film is really (good) and that I’m very capable of playing for Clemson. He also said just keep balling that, ‘We’re gonna continue to follow you, but the chances of you playing are very high.’ So, he definitely has me on (his) board.”

With that being said, what would it mean for McDaniel to earn an offer from a program like Clemson?

“It would mean a lot for me to get an offer from a school like that,” he said. “Just because Clemson has always been my favorite school for a while now. And to play in the orange, white and purple would be the best thing ever.”

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!

Latest Clemson visit ‘put a cherry on the top’ for priority CB target

The cornerback prospect who collected Clemson’s first offer at his position, when the Tigers began dispensing offers to class of 2024 recruits back on June 1, was in attendance at Death Valley for the NC State game last Saturday. Carrollwood Day …

The cornerback prospect who collected Clemson’s first offer at his position, when the Tigers began dispensing offers to class of 2024 recruits back on June 1, was in attendance at Death Valley for the NC State game last Saturday.

Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.) four-star Tavoy Feagin made the trip to Tiger Town over the weekend with his parents and little brother.

“I really enjoyed the visit,” Feagin told The Clemson Insider. “I enjoy it every time I go.”

Feagin previously visited Clemson this summer after also traveling to campus for an unofficial visit in the spring.

The night-game atmosphere at Death Valley during Clemson’s 30-20 win over NC State left a big impression on the 6-foot, 175-pound junior.

“Something that stood out would be how crazy the atmosphere was,” he said.

While on campus, Feagin spent plenty of time with cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, as well as head man Dabo Swinney.

What did he hear from the coaches?

“Me and Coach Reed talked about a lot of things,” Feagin said, “but what the whole message was, this is a spot where he’s not scared to play his freshmen.”

“And Coach Swinney truly feels like I can fit perfectly with the program,” he added.

Feagin’s father, Michael, was a defensive back at Alabama in the 1990s when Swinney was on the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff.

The Tide have also offered Feagin, along with schools such as Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Ohio State and Oklahoma.

Clemson appears to be in a great spot with the priority cornerback target coming out of Saturday’s visit.

“This visit really just made Clemson even better,” he said. “They’re already a place I can call home and this visit really put a cherry on the top.”

Feagin told TCI he hopes to return to Clemson for the Miami game on Nov. 19.

He is ranked as a top-100 national prospect in the 2024 class, regardless of position, by both 247Sports (No. 73) and Rivals (No. 98).

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!

Swinney praises Death Valley atmosphere, calls it ‘unbelievable recruiting advantage’

During his weekly Monday call-in radio show, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raved about the atmosphere at Death Valley during the fifth-ranked Tigers’ 30-20 victory over then-No. 10 NC State last Saturday night. “It’s never been better,” Swinney …

During his weekly Monday call-in radio show, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney raved about the atmosphere at Death Valley during the fifth-ranked Tigers’ 30-20 victory over then-No. 10 NC State last Saturday night.

“It’s never been better,” Swinney said. “It’s 2022. I mean, it’s amazing.”

Swinney gave props to Clemson fans for showing up, being loud and playing their part in making things difficult for the Wolfpack.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during pregame Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

“I tell ya, our fans are amazing,” he said. “To come around on that bus, because the players always kind of notice, when you pull around and you kind of see if those upper corners are full – I mean, it was packed. It was just an amazing energy, and just the engagement of the fans, the roar of the fans – they were awesome, especially in the fourth quarter.

“The Valley was a factor. It is such an advantage that we have. It’s amazing.”

Not only does the Death Valley environment give the Tigers an edge in competition, but Swinney noted that it’s also significant from a recruiting standpoint as well in making a great impression on prospects in attendance.

“It’s amazing, and an unbelievable recruiting advantage and opportunity, and I hope our fans understand that,” he said. “It really is. You get kids on campus, and the energy from your crowd, the engagement, it makes a huge difference. It really does.”

Swinney added that Tiger fans “set the tone” on Saturday.

“Just a great night in The Valley, and our fans were there. They set the tone,” he said. “The Tiger Walk was awesome. You could feel the intensity from the fans, and just one of those fun nights.”

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!