Tag: clemson football recruiting

5-star, No. 1 ranked recruit details ‘great time’ on Clemson game visit

One of the headliners among the recruits in attendance for Clemson’s top-10 showdown against NC State on Oct. 1 was a five-star offensive lineman ranked by multiple recruiting services as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class. David …

One of the headliners among the recruits in attendance for Clemson’s top-10 showdown against NC State on Oct. 1 was a five-star offensive lineman ranked by multiple recruiting services as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class.

David Sanders Jr. of Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) recently went in-depth with The Clemson Insider about his experience on campus for the Tigers’ 30-20 victory over the Wolfpack at Death Valley.

It wasn’t his first time at Clemson, as he visited twice in the spring, though it was his first gameday visit there.

“The Clemson game, that was definitely a big game for me. I enjoyed myself a lot,” Sanders said. “The atmosphere with them playing NC State – it was a top-10 matchup – was really cool. That was a really cool experience. I got to experience the new LED lights in the stadium and the new scoreboard. Those two additions to the stadium really made the experience more fun.

“But overall, I had a great time. When I got to the stadium, I was able to meet all the coaches and all the players, too. … Then also they let us go to the top of the hill for the pregame for them to run down the hill. That was definitely the coolest experience ever, just to experience how steep that hill really is, because I always hear it’s steeper than it looks. … So, I enjoyed that a lot, and just the experience overall – the atmosphere, the fans, the facility – it was really cool. So, I enjoyed the whole thing.”

Sanders made the trip to Tiger Town with his parents.

“They enjoyed it a lot,” he said. “That was their third time going up to Clemson. So, we enjoyed it, and just that family atmosphere – I come from a family atmosphere, and then at Providence Day, it’s all family. So, when we go to Clemson, they treat us like that, and we enjoy that.”

Sanders, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound sophomore, cited the atmosphere and coaching staff as what stood out the most to him from the visit.

“They’re always down to earth, and every single coach came up to me and talked to me at least for a couple minutes,” he said. “So, they made me feel like a priority while I was up there, and that definitely made me feel good. But the main thing for me was just the atmosphere.”

The Tigers typically don’t offer prospects until the summer before their junior year, so according to Sanders, the coaches told him to stay patient and “trust the process” with them.

“They take their time in offering a lot of people, so their message to me was basically just wait your time and your time is really coming,” he said. “Just do what you’ve got to do in the classroom and on the field and just keep being who I am, and hopefully my time will be coming for Clemson University.”

Added Sanders: “But just getting to talk to them and just knowing how much they want me, even though they don’t offer sophomores… but they’re keeping me in the loop with the program and with the players, and every time I go up there, they just make me feel like I’m family. So, that’s always a plus for them.”

Sanders said he has also been to South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and East Carolina recently. He’s looking to check out NC State and Georgia before season’s end but doesn’t have any visits scheduled as of now.

He intends to return to Clemson this offseason, and perhaps even again this season, in order to further his relationship with head coach Dabo Swinney and particularly offensive line coach Thomas Austin.

“I’ll try to make it up for another game if possible,” he said. “But I’ll definitely be up there a lot during the offseason for like junior day and just unofficial visits to spend more time around the program and the coaches, just to sit down and talk to them and pick their brain a little bit, see what they’re thinking.

“But I want to be around the program as much as possible so I can build that relationship with not only Coach Swinney, but Coach Austin because that’s probably who I’ll be spending my most time with, knowing that’s the offensive line coach. So, I just want to get to know him as much as possible and for us to build that relationship.”

Schools such as Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, NC State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest have offered Sanders, who is certainly high on the Tigers early in the process.

“I’ve always had a high respect for Clemson, just what they stand for as a program,” he said. “They’ve never changed for anybody, no matter if you’re a four-star or a three-star or no-star. They treat all their players that they’re recruiting the exact same, and that’s one thing I’ve always respected about them.

“So, Clemson’s definitely one of my favorite schools out there, and just getting to be around the program and know all the coaches well, that’s going to mean a lot to me. But Clemson’s definitely one of my favorite schools, for sure.”

Sanders, who is rated as a five-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite, is ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the country for the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, 247Sports and Rivals.

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!

The Insider Report: Updates on 5-stars, top Clemson targets

We hope everyone had a great weekend. It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. Clemson making a move with Peach State TE Clemson’s tight end recruiting in the class of 2024 is only getting started and a name worth monitoring is …

We hope everyone had a great weekend.

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report.

Clemson making a move with Peach State TE

Clemson’s tight end recruiting in the class of 2024 is only getting started and a name worth monitoring is Carrollton (Ga.) four-star Caleb Odom (pictured above).

The Clemson Insider recently caught up with Odom, who was one of the top prospects in attendance for Clemson’s 30-20 win over NC State at Death Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1.

“It was crazy,” Odom said in a phone interview recently regarding his visit. “The atmosphere was just electric. It was just insane. I just felt like the crowd was crazy. I don’t know, I’ve never seen something like the pregame, how they roll out of the buses and run down the hill. That kind of stood out to me, definitely the pregame. I just felt like the fans were cheering nonstop. I just felt like it was crazy.”

Odom has been in constant contact with Kyle Richardson since Sept. 1. It was Clemson’s tight ends coach who extended Odom the invitation to the NC State game and made sure he spoke with him at length during his first trip to The Valley.

Odom said that his relationship with Richardson is one of the better ones that he currently has and that it was nice to finally put a name to a face.

“He was just telling me that they love what they see on film and stuff,” Odom recalled of his conversation with Richardson. “He was telling me that they take the offer process really slowly. He was gonna give me a call later (last) week, so hopefully it’s good news. He was just telling me that they were glad to have me down.”

According to Odom, Richardson said that he was an offer-worthy prospect.

“Hopefully they will offer soon, though, I would really love it,” he said regarding a potential offer from Clemson. “Just knowing how they treat the players outside of football… Just knowing I can be in an environment like that, especially during gamedays with the crowd. A place like Death Valley is just crazy.”

Tigers making a move with 5-star linebacker

It’s no longer a secret that Clemson is one of the favorite schools of Jadon Perlotte.

The class of 2025 five-star linebacker out of Buford (Ga.) recently made his first-ever gameday visit to Death Valley for Clemson’s top-10 showdown against NC State.

“It was great,” Perlotte recently told The Clemson Insider regarding his visit. “That’s the most fans I’ve ever seen and we got to run down the hill. I didn’t see any open spots.”

Perlotte said that he has a great relationship with most of Clemson’s staff and spent a lot of time around the Tigers’ defensive assiatnts before and after last Saturday’s game.

What is it about Clemson that appeals to a prospect like Perlotte?

“The culture,” he said. “I sit in there and listen for hours, listening to Coach Dabo preach about the system and how they do things differently. They’re a family team and that’s all they care about is the person beside them. That’s what I pay attention to.”

Perlotte said that his mom has been helping him plan recruiting trips and that she really loves Clemson, so he probably has to make it to three more games or so down there.

Right now, Perlotte is patiently waiting for an offer, one that he’s hopeful will come sooner than later.

5-star OL, nation’s top-ranked ’25 prospect high on the Tigers

Clemson recently played host to the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class regardless of position, per multiple recruiting services.

Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. attended the Tigers’ 30-20 victory over NC State at Death Valley on Oct. 1.

It wasn’t his first time in Tiger Town, as he visited twice in the spring. However, it was Sanders’ first gameday visit to Clemson, and he detailed his experience in a recent interview with The Clemson Insider.

We’ll publish our full story from the interview with Sanders in the morning, but here’s some of what the 6-foot-7, 250-pound sophomore had to say about the visit:

“The Clemson game, that was definitely a big game for me. I enjoyed myself a lot. The atmosphere with them playing NC State – it was a top-10 matchup – was really cool. That was a really cool experience. I got to experience the new LED lights in the stadium and the new scoreboard. Those two additions to the stadium really made the experience more fun.

“But overall, I had a great time. When I got to the stadium, I was able to meet all the coaches and all the players, too. … Then also they let us go to the top of the hill for the pregame for them to run down the hill. That was definitely the coolest experience ever, just to experience how steep that hill really is, because I always hear it’s steeper than it looks. … So, I enjoyed that a lot, and just the experience overall – the atmosphere, the fans, the facility – it was really cool. So, I enjoyed the whole thing.”

Sanders made the trip to Tiger Town with his parents, and he said “they enjoyed it a lot,” particularly the family atmosphere. For Sanders personally, it was the atmosphere and coaching staff that stood out to him the most.

The Tigers typically don’t offer prospects until the summer before their junior year, so according to Sanders, the coaches told him to stay patient and “trust the process” with them – “just do what you’ve got to do in the classroom and on the field and just keep being who I am,” he said.

Sanders said he has also been to South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and East Carolina recently. He’s looking to check out NC State and Georgia before season’s end but doesn’t have any visits scheduled as of now.

He intends to return to Clemson this offseason, and perhaps even again this season, in order to further his relationship with head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive line coach Thomas Austin.

As for where Clemson stands with Sanders right now, the Tigers have certainly made a strong early impression.

“Clemson’s definitely one of my favorite schools, for sure,” he said.

In-state OL target impressed by ‘amazing’ Death Valley atmosphere

Another big-time offensive line prospect from the Carolinas who took in the clash between Clemson and NC State is Josiah Thompson, a four-star tackle in the 2024 class from Dillon (S.C.) High School.

The 6-foot-6, 280-pound junior traveled to campus with his parents and little brother.

It was the family’s first time attending a game at Death Valley.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” Thompson told The Clemson Insider, “and it’s awesome to see how much the fans have love towards the players and team.”

Thompson visited Georgia for its game vs. Auburn this past Saturday and is set to be in Knoxville for Tennessee’s game against Alabama this Saturday.

We asked Thompson – who received an offer from Clemson back in June – where the Tigers stand with him right now following the visit, and he said, “I can see myself playing for the Clemson Tigers.”

Thompson is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Palmetto State for the 2024 class by 247Sports, while he is ranked as high as the No. 71 overall prospect in his class by 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!

Top Clemson CB target announces top teams, sets commitment date

One of Clemson’s top defensive back targets in the class of 2024 dropped his final five schools on Sunday afternoon via social media. Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.) four-star Tavoy Feagin is down to Clemson, Alabama, Miami, LSU and Florida State. …

One of Clemson’s top defensive back targets in the class of 2024 dropped his final five schools on Sunday afternoon via social media.

Carrollwood Day (Tampa, Fla.) four-star Tavoy Feagin is down to Clemson, Alabama, Miami, LSU and Florida State. Feagin also announced a commitment date of Nov. 20.

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

“This visit really just made Clemson even better,” Feagin told The Clemson Insider recently. “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)

Standout QB enjoyed ‘electric’ atmosphere during first visit to Death Valley

After camping at Clemson during the summer, a talented young signal-caller from the Peach State returned to Tiger Town last weekend. Cass High School (Cartersville, Ga.)’s Brodie McWhorter – a standout quarterback in the class of 2026 – made his …

After camping at Clemson during the summer, a talented young signal-caller from the Peach State returned to Tiger Town last weekend.

Cass High School (Cartersville, Ga.)’s Brodie McWhorter – a standout quarterback in the class of 2026 – made his first-ever gameday visit to Death Valley for Clemson’s top-10 showdown against NC State last Saturday night, a 30-20 victory for the Tigers over the Wolfpack.

“The visit went great,” he told The Clemson Insider. “The highlight to my visit was the atmosphere, it was electric! This was my first visit to Death Valley.”

McWhorter traveled to Clemson with his parents, brother and sister, as well as his teammate Devin Henderson, an athlete in the class of 2024.

“They enjoyed it very much!” McWhorter said.

A 6-foot-1, 180-pound freshman, McWhorter spoke with a couple of Clemson’s coaches while on campus, including Tyler Grisham.

“He didn’t believe that I was only a freshman because of my size,” McWhorter said of Grisham, “and told me to keep working.”

Clemson is among a number of Power Five programs already showing early interest in McWhorter, who is the starting quarterback for his school’s varsity team in his first year of high school.

“I know Clemson has interest in me but Coach Swinney doesn’t offer freshmen and sophomores, so I totally understand,” he said. “I’m also getting interest from Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and other schools right now.”

McWhorter undoubtedly has high interest in Dabo Swinney’s program.

“What stands out the most to me about Clemson’s program is the love that Coach Swinney has for his players,” he said. “An offer from the Tigers would be very special!”

McWhorter participated in the Swinney Camp from June 10-12 and spoke highly of his Clemson camp experience, as well as the coaching he received from both Swinney and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter.

“The camp went great,” McWhorter told TCI. “The thing that stood out to me the most was the love from Coach Swinney and Coach Streeter.”

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!

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!