Tag: Kylon Griffin

Kylon Griffin’s interception sets up a Phil Mafah touchdown as Clemson takes the lead

Clemson takes a 14-7 lead over Wake Forest.

Clemson football found itself down early against Wake Forest on Saturday, but the Tigers wasted no time in turning the tide with back-to-back scoring drives.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik hit Antonio Williams on a 22-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 just into the second quarter. Clemson’s eight-play, 75-yard drive included a key third-down conversion on a 19-yard pass to Troy Stellato. The touchdown itself came on another third-down play, showcasing Klubnik’s poise under pressure.

On their next drive, Clemson surged ahead, 14-7, after Phil Mafah’s 1-yard touchdown run. An interception by Kylon Griffin gave the Tigers excellent field position at the Wake Forest 23-yard line, and Clemson capitalized with a quick two-play scoring drive.

Clemson is recovering from their poor start, which is something you need to see from Dabo Swinney’s team.

The Newcomer Files: Kylon Griffin

Clemson signed 21 players as part of its 2022 recruiting class, some of whom still have yet to make it to campus. Nine signees went through spring practice as early enrollees while the rest, including transfer Hunter Johnson, will arrive on campus …

Clemson signed 21 players as part of its 2022 recruiting class, some of whom still have yet to make it to campus.

Nine signees went through spring practice as early enrollees while the rest, including transfer Hunter Johnson, will arrive on campus this summer. The Clemson Insider is taking a closer look at each newcomer and the likelihood of him contributing immediately this fall based on development and positional need.

TCI previously highlighted Keith Adams Jr., T.J. Dudley, Sherrod Covil Jr. and Robert Gunn III. Next up is Kylon Griffin.

Position: Safety

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 185 pounds

Ranking: 3 stars (247Sports Composite)

Previous school: Montgomery (Alabama) Catholic Preparatory

Early enrollee? No

The skinny: Griffin might be the less heralded of Clemson’s two safety signees in a class that included Covil, a four-star recruit, but Griffin was productive in the Alabama prep ranks during his time at Montgomery Catholic Prep, where he was teammates with Dudley, a linebacker signee. An all-state performer as a senior, Griffin was credited with 161 tackles during his high school career along with three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He was a key part of a suffocating defense that allowed just north of three points per game last fall.

Griffin is joining a safety room that’s still relatively deep even with the loss of Nolan Turner. Veterans Lannden Zanders, Jalyn Phillips, R.J. Mickens and Tyler Venables along with Andrew Mukuba, a freshman All-American last season, are returning to lead the way at the position. And Covil doesn’t seem too far from joining that rotation after impressing this spring as an early enrollee, a head start to his collegiate career that Griffin doesn’t have. If the Tigers are able to stay healthy at the position, Griffin may have to wait until 2023 for his first chance at a more significant role on defense, though seeing the field on special teams as a true freshman is always a possibility.

Photo courtesy of Jake Crandall/Montgomery Advertiser via Imagn Content Services

4-star RB says ‘awesome’ Clemson visit ‘definitely’ exceeded expectations

The Clemson Insider first detailed Clemson’s interest in the high school teammate of two future Tigers at the end of last month. Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star running back Jeremiah Cobb made his way to Clemson’s campus on Saturday, March 12, …

The Clemson Insider first detailed Clemson’s interest in the high school teammate of two future Tigers at the end of last month.

Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star running back Jeremiah Cobb made his way to Clemson’s campus on Saturday, March 12, along with Kylon Griffin and TJ Dudley, who signed with the Tigers back in February.

“It was awesome,” Cobb said. “They treated me real well. I loved it up there. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I loved all the facilities and meeting Coach Dabo (Swinney) was awesome.”

What did Cobb — a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior — hear from Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller while he was on campus?

“He really just had to say that he loves my film and just the person that I am on and off the field,” Cobb said of Spiller, ” and that he just wants to keep building this relationship and that he wants to get me back up to Clemson.”

What does that mean to Cobb?

“It means a lot,” he said. “I love the way that he treated me and my mom well. I can’t wait to go back up to Clemson.”

According to Cobb, he did discuss a potential offer with the Tigers and Clemson’s coaching staff certainly hinted at it as well. In any event, Spiller wants to wait on pulling the trigger on an offer. Rather, he’s focused on building a relationship with Cobb, as well as making sure that he would be compatible on the field if he were to go to Clemson.

While he was on campus, Cobb had a chance to check out Clemson’s spring practice and see how Spiller conducted himself as a coach.

“I loved seeing how Coach Spiller coached and how he talked to the running backs and just how he worked with all the other coaches,” Cobb said. “I love how they ran routes out of the backfield and how they had a great inside game.”

Cobb has since communicated with Spiller and texted back and forth with Clemson’s running backs coach. They haven’t been able to get on the phone because of a busy visit schedule, which could also prevent Cobb from visiting Clemson again this spring.

Though, he plans on making his way back to Tiger Town this summer. As far as upcoming visits go, Cobb will be at the University of Georgia, as well as Central Florida. He also made his way to Auburn recently, which he described as his favorite visit thus far.

Cobb, a consensus four-star prospect, is considered by 247Sports to be the nation’s No. 19 running back and the No. 295 prospect in the nation for the class of 2023.

– Photo for this article courtesy of @jeremiahcobb23 on Instagram

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Clemson expressing interest in elite Alabama RB with connection to Tigers

Clemson has recently started to express interest in the high school teammate of two future Tigers in Kylon Griffin and TJ Dudley. Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star Jeremiah Cobb has received interest from the Tigers and went into depth about what …

Clemson has recently started to express interest in the high school teammate of two future Tigers in Kylon Griffin and TJ Dudley.

Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star Jeremiah Cobb has received interest from the Tigers and went into depth about what he’s been hearing from Clemson and if he plans to visit soon.

“I got to talk to the running back a little bit,” Cobb told The Clemson Insider. “He told me that he liked my film and stuff like that. I haven’t really been in touch with them lately, though.”

When we spoke with Cobb, he acknowledged that multiple members of Clemson’s staff — C.J. Spiller, Brandon Streeter and Lemanski Hall — all followed him on Twitter as of late. So, he feels like it’s a great sign of things to come.

Cobb — a 5-11, 180-pound junior — texted with Spiller last week and they got on the phone for a little bit.

“We just talked about how things were going with each other and we talked about my track practice and stuff like that,” he said. “We’ve just been texting a little bit. It’s really cool to be able to sit down and talk to (Coach Spiller) like that.”

Griffin and Dudley both signed with Clemson at the beginning of the month. Cobb grew up playing with both of the future Tigers, so he indicated that he’s really close with each of them. With that being said, what have they told Cobb about Clemson?

“They told me that they love and it’s a great place to be around,” Cobb said. “They just love the family feel of it and how it’s just a great, comfortable place to be at.”

As far as his recruitment is concerned, Cobb hasn’t sat down and thought through his options just yet. He’s aiming to take a couple of visits this spring, which will likely put things into further perspective. Cobb is planning to visit the University of Tennessee on March 5, he’ll also be visiting Auburn on March 19 and UCF on March 26. He also visited UNC in January.

Right now, Cobb is looking to visit Clemson on March 11.

“I’m looking forward to getting up there and meeting everybody in person,” he said.

This past season, he rushed for over 2,000 yards and totaled over 500 receiving yards. Once prospective college teams were able to get ahold of his film, that’s when the offers came rushing in. Cobb is as humble as they come, so he views the offers as a testament to all the hard work he’s put in and the blocking he’s received upfront.

As for Cobb and his game, he’s very versatile out of the backfield, has really good receiving skills and feels like he can do things that other running backs can’t. Cobb has exceptional vision and hits holes hard. Once he gets in the open field, he’s very adept at making people miss.

Cobb, a consensus four-star prospect, is considered by 247Sports to be the nation’s No. 19 running back and the No. 295 prospect in the nation for the class of 2023.

–Photo for this article courtesy of @jeremiahcobb23 on Instagram

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Swinney ‘excited’ about new DB signee, compares him to Tiger in the NFL

After initially committing to Mississippi State last March, Kylon Griffin reopened his recruitment in December. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are glad he did. Griffin ended up choosing Clemson over Southern Cal and Nebraska, among …

After initially committing to Mississippi State last March, Kylon Griffin reopened his recruitment in December.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are glad he did.

Griffin ended up choosing Clemson over Southern Cal and Nebraska, among others, down the stretch of the 2022 recruiting cycle. The talented defensive back from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School (Montgomery, Ala.) committed to the Tigers on Jan. 25, signed last Wednesday and will enroll this summer.

Griffin is one of five scholarship signees from the Yellowhammer State in Clemson’s 2022 class, along with Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, Ala.) wide receiver Cole Turner, Lanett High School (Lanett, Ala.) defensive lineman Caden Story, Saraland High School (Saraland, Ala.) punter Jack Smith and Griffin’s teammate at Montgomery Catholic, linebacker T.J. Dudley.

Together, Griffin and Dudley led a defense that surrendered just 43 points in 14 games in 2021. They helped the Knights to a 13-1 record and a berth in the state semifinals for Class 3A.

“He was committed to Mississippi State for a long time, but then he decided not to sign in December, like a lot of kids this year,” Swinney said of Griffin during Clemson’s National Signing Day show. “Excited about Kylon. This is a great school there in Montgomery. I tell ya, we did really well in Alabama this year, which is good. I love the type of kids that you get out of that state. Football is important. You know they’re going to be tough. They’re coming from a big-time, winning program.”

A three-time All-Capital City Conference selection at defensive back, Griffin was twice named All-Metro and earned all-state honors in 2021, when he recorded 44 tackles (five for loss), six pass breakups, five interceptions and scored four touchdowns on defense and special teams as a senior.

Griffin, who also ran track at Montgomery Catholic, was credited with 161 tackles (20 for loss), three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and eight touchdowns in his prep career on the gridiron.

Griffin is listed as a safety on Clemson’s official roster but possesses the versatility to play all over the secondary.

“He’s a defensive back that can play multiple positions back there – strong safety, free safety, corner, nickel, dime,” Clemson co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Mickey Conn said, via Griffin’s official Clemson bio. “He can do a lot of things because he’s a really smart, athletic, instinctive and physical player. He’s a student of the game. A track guy also in high school, does the 110(-meter) hurdles and 300 hurdles. Played both ways, both wide receiver and defensive back, in high school. Really well coached… great parents. Just a perfect fit for Clemson.”

When he watches Griffin, Swinney sees a lot of similarities to former Clemson safety K’Von Wallace, who was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (127th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft following his four-year career as a Tiger (2016-19) during which he tallied 178 tackles (5.5 for loss), 21 passes broken up, five interceptions returned for 180 yards (including one returned for a touchdown), two sacks and two forced fumbles over 59 games (36 starts).

“Kylon is, I think, very similar to K’Von Wallace,” Swinney said. “That’s kind of how I would describe him. Very, very similar. He’s got range. He’s got diversity to his game. He’s a thumper. He’s got good length and I think has the potential to really develop into a great player for us. And just an awesome kid, awesome family. Tremendous fit, and I’m very thankful we were able to get him.”

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Coach Speak: High praise for new Clemson signees Dudley, Griffin

T.J. “Bull” Dudley and Kylon Griffin, teammates at Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic, both signed with Clemson on Wednesday. Griffin, a three-star safety, elected to commit to Clemson last week because he wanted Dudley to have his moment. Dudley announced …

T.J. “Bull” Dudley and Kylon Griffin, teammates at Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic, both signed with Clemson on Wednesday.

Griffin, a three-star safety, elected to commit to Clemson last week because he wanted Dudley to have his moment. Dudley announced his decision Wednesday, as the former Oregon pledge, committed to Clemson.

We spoke with Kirk Johnson, who coached both Dudley and Griffin at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory. He took the time Tuesday afternoon to speak with The Clemson Insider regarding the two future Tigers, who both officially put pen to paper, becoming Clemson signees on NSD.

Johnson went into detail about the type of players that Dudley and Griffin are, respectively, while also revealing who they are as men on and off the field.

“T.J.’s a swell kid, man,” Johnson said. “You’re talking about a kid that plays linebacker at a very high level and he can play the piano very fluently. It’s very cool to see. He’s like my son. He never does anything without talking to me. He is always locked in. He sees the bigger picture.”

You may be asking yourself about that “Bull” moniker. Well, Dudley played running back growing up and his running style was comparable to a bull in a china shop. It stuck ever since.

He’s much more refined and detail-oriented in how he plays the linebacker position, though.

As for Griffin, the Tigers are getting an all-around football player, who Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has compared to K’Von Wallace.

“He does so much and he does it at a high level,” Johnson said of Griffin. “He’s a smart kid. He’s an awesome student-athlete, you aren’t gonna have to worry about off-the-field issues and things like that because he doesn’t have any of those.

“As far as him on the field, he’s very instinctive, very calm. The big moment is never too big for him. I’m curious to see what happens when he finally plays his true position and that’s safety. We played him at corner for so long and that’s because he could take away their best player. I’m curious what he looks like fitting into a system that’s gonna play him at his true position.”

Johnson feels that Clemson is a good fit for Griffin and indicated that if it wasn’t, he wouldn’t be going there. Griffin, of course, had other options like Nebraska and Southern Cal, but the former Mississippi State commit pledged to Clemson before he could even make his official visit to USC. Griffin wasn’t going to pass up on what the Tigers were offering him.

“I have a great relationship with my kids,” Johnson said, “and they do a good job of communicating. We have weekly talks. I knew from the get-go that that would be a good spot for him.”

“I think Clemson is a good fit for a lot of high school kids. When your head coach talks about religion and putting God first and understanding that you’re more than just a football player, that’s a place that I give my approval to.”

As far as Clemson’s recruiting approach with his players was concerned, Johnson personally didn’t think the Tigers put their best foot forward until the end. According to Johnson, Dudley wanted to commit to Clemson in the beginning, but they got a linebacker commit (Jaren Kanak) before he could.

As for Griffin, he always had a love for Clemson. They went in a different direction, but things wound up going full circle.

“Once Clemson decided that those were the kids they wanted, I think they did a pretty decent job of communicating and recruiting,” Johnson said. “They offer a lot, so it’s not really a sales pitch that you gotta come with when you’re talking about Clemson University.”

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TCI’s National Signing Day preview: Breaking down commits, targets

The countdown to National Signing Day continues. With Wednesday’s NSD fast approaching, The Clemson Insider wanted to provide a primer to get you ready for the big day as it relates to the Tigers. In the following preview, we break down the …

The countdown to National Signing Day continues. With Wednesday’s NSD fast approaching, The Clemson Insider wanted to provide a primer to get you ready for the big day as it relates to the Tigers.

In the following preview, we break down the commitments that Clemson is set to sign on Wednesday, the targets that the Tigers are in the mix for, and more:

Cole Turner

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) High School wide receiver Cole Turner announced his commitment to the Tigers after his official visit on Sunday, Jan. 16.

Cole, of course, is the younger brother of longtime Clemson safety Nolan Turner. Like his brother before for him, Cole was severely under-recruited coming out of high school.

The Clemson Insider spoke with Vestavia Hills head coach Sean Calhoun, prior to Cole’s offer from Clemson.

“He’s one of those stereotypical guys, who didn’t have much junior film and has a lot of senior film,” Calhoun said. “And, it’s really good and it’s vs. really, really good opponents. He’s a good player.

“Again, he’s just not on recruiting boards because if his senior film was his junior film, he’d be a three/four-star. But, he’s not and I think that the people that do see it and do get on him at this time, whoever gets him is definitely gonna get an absolute diamond in the rough. There’s no doubt about it.”

Myles Oliver

Oliver (6-0, 170) officially verbally pledged to the Tigers on Sunday, Jan. 16. The Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.) 2022 defensive back, like Turner before him, committed to Clemson after his official visit.

When asked by The Clemson Insider why he pulled the trigger on his commitment to Clemson, Oliver pointed to the coaching staff and the “great campus.”

Across his senior campaign, Oliver recorded five interceptions, 75 total tackles (55 solos), four touchdowns, 101 interception yards and 552 all-purpose yards. He received Douglas County Player of the Year honors for his contributions on the field this season.

Oliver’s head coach at Douglas County, Johnny T. White, talked to TCI in December and spoke about why he believed Clemson would ultimately be a good fit for the under-the-radar defensive back.

“Clemson would be a great place because it’s close to home for him,” White said. “Family’s big to him, so that’s not far. But, at the same time, I think it would be beneficial on both sides. I think he’d end up being a great player for Clemson. I know he’d be a standout guy because he’s a great young man. He’s a better young man than he is a football player, to be honest.”

Kobe McCloud

Kobe McCloud announced his verbal commitment to Clemson Wednesday, Jan. 26, just a mere couple of days after the legacy recruit, who hails from Gaither (Tampa, Fla.), officially visited campus.

McCloud went into detail with The Clemson Insider about his decision to commit to Clemson.

“Really just the love from the coaches,” McCloud said. “Not just the coaches, but their whole staff. I love that vision that they have for me for the next 3-4 years, so that played a big role.”

In a previous conversation with TCI, McCloud outlined his potential role. Clemson feels like he can play anywhere on that second-level, whether it’s at the WILL or MIKE linebacker positions. According to McCloud, Swinney had previously told him that his playstyle reminds him of former Clemson linebackers like B.J. Goodson and Dorian O’Daniel, both of whom went on to play in the NFL.

What can Clemson fans expect out of McCloud?

“I’m a baller on the field and off the field, I’m a great person with good character,” he said. “A person that lights up the room when I walk in. That’s the type of person I am.”

Kylon Griffin

Montgomery Catholic (Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin elected to commit to Clemson on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Even though the fast-rising prospect, who was once committed to Mississippi State, had another official visit on the table, his mind was already made up.

“I think there was no more to be said,” Griffin said. “Clemson has it all and more. I think Dabo Swinney has a great culture up there, that continues to evolve and that the whole staff wants the same thing.”

What role does the coaching staff envision for him?

“They compared me to K’Von Wallace,” Griffin said. “He was all-around the backend when he was there. I’m pretty sure they plan to use me all-around.”

Jahiem Lawson

Jahiem Lawson from nearby Daniel High School publicly committed to the Tigers on Friday, Jan. 28.

Lawson – the younger brother of former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, who played for the Tigers from 2013-15 and has spent time in the NFL with the Bills, Dolphins, Texans and Jets – detailed his commitment decision in an interview with The Clemson Insider.

Jahiem (6-4, 215), who received an offer from Dabo Swinney and Clemson on Dec. 20, said he knew for sure a couple of weeks ago that Clemson is where he wanted to continue his academic and athletic career. He told Swinney and his staff that he wanted to be a Tiger while on his official visit to Clemson three weekends ago.

Jahiem chose the Tigers over offers from Missouri, Georgia Tech, Coastal Carolina and Liberty, among numerous other schools.

“The environment is really amazing,” Jahiem said of why he picked Clemson. “Being around the coaches, it’s like a family, and I love that. Going in on my OV (official visit), I just felt so welcomed. That was so exciting for me. So, that made my chances to go to Clemson higher.”

PWOs

Here is a list of all the preferred walk-ons that plan on signing with Clemson on Wednesday:

  • Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville, S.C.) three-star offensive tackle Mason Johnstone
  • Laurens (S.C.) athlete Michael Mankaka
  • T.L. Hanna (Anderson, S.C.) linebacker Fletcher Cothran
  • Anderson (S.C.) T.L. Hanna offensive lineman Chap Pendergrass
  • Daniel (Central, S.C.) tight end Griffin Batt
  • Daniel (Central, S.C) wide receiver Clay Swinney
  • Daniel (Central, S.C.) quarterback Trent Pearman
  • Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.) quarterback Caleb Nix

Commitment Watch

By now, we know that there are four uncommitted prospects in the 2022 recruiting class that could commit to Clemson on Wednesday.

The Tigers played host this past weekend to a couple of official visitors, so we wanted to pass along the latest we have gathered regarding those official visitors, as well as the other Clemson targets.

T.J. Dudley

One of the uncommitted prospects that Clemson is in strong contention for is T.J. Dudley, a four-star linebacker from Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic Preparatory School who is ranked as the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 143 overall prospect in the 2022 class by Rivals.

Dudley, a former Oregon commit, decommitted from the Ducks in early December after former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal departed for Miami. It was around that time when Clemson, which offered Dudley back in June 2020, re-entered the mix for his services.

Clemson made a big impression on Dudley when he visited for a junior day back in the spring of 2020, and he returned to campus for an official visit last weekend – a visit that simply reinforced the things he liked about Clemson back then and only strengthened the Tigers’ standing heading into signing day.

Dudley is teammates with Montgomery Catholic Prep 2022 defensive back Kylon Griffin, who committed to the Tigers last week, and Clemson appears to be the clear frontrunner for Dudley as well. New co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Wes Goodwin has done a good job with Dudley’s recruitment.

Dudley will announce his decision at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Caden Story

We also like where Clemson stands with Caden Story, a four-star defensive tackle from Lanett (Ala.) High School, who is ranked as the No. 20 defensive lineman and No. 147 overall prospect in the 2022 class by 247Sports.

Clemson is one of three stated finalists for Story, along with Florida and Auburn. He committed to the SEC’s Tigers last August but did not end up signing in December, then decommitted from Auburn on Jan. 16. He went to Florida for an official visit this past weekend.

The Tigers made a great impression on Story during his official visit two weekends ago. He has a strong and longstanding relationship with Clemson’s defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator, Nick Eason, who also recruited Story when Eason was at Auburn.

While the Gators gave Story something to think about last weekend, we still believe the Tigers are in a good spot heading into Wednesday.

Story will reveal his college choice at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Keith Adams, Jr.

The other official visitor on campus this weekend was Pine View (Saint George, Utah) 2022 three-star running back Keith Adams, Jr.

“I just liked how everybody treated me,” Adams told The Clemson Insider Sunday. “I just enjoyed spending time with the coaches and the players. I had a lot of fun and the facilities were great.”

Clemson originally offered Adams as a grayshirt back when he was a junior in October 2020, but on Saturday, the Tigers offered him a full ride. According to Adams, Clemson loved his film and they saw him progress throughout the entirety of his high school career, which is why they offered him a full scholarship.

“It meant a lot,” he said, “to actually get it in person, it felt a lot different than receiving it over the phone. It was a special moment for me and my family.”

Adams, of course, is the son of former Clemson All-American linebacker Keith Adams Sr., who went on to play seven years in the NFL and played in the 2005 Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Clemson made a big impression on Adams Jr. and his family this weekend, and while he won’t make his decision known until Wednesday, we like the Tigers’ chances heading into signing day.

Adams will reveal his college choice at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Andrew Paul

Heading into this past weekend, those close to Andrew Paul’s recruitment viewed Clemson as the frontrunner for the Parish Episcopal School (Dallas, Texas) three-star running back. However, Georgia has given him something to think about after his official visit to Athens this past weekend.

As far as his recruitment is concerned, Paul is very closed vest. So much so, that many of those around him are unsure of what he may decide. That being said, while we believe Georgia and Kirby Smart made a big push to land Paul’s commitment, we feel the Tigers still have a legitimate shot to land his signature on Wednesday.

Clemson has certainly put its best foot forward with Paul as well.

“He loved it,” Parish head coach Daniel Novakov said of Paul’s official visit. “He loved the place. He loved the people. He loved Coach Swinney. I think he really liked the kids he visited. I think he liked everything about it.”

The Tigers have been recruiting Paul hard since C.J. Spiller was in attendance for Paul’s state playoff game last month. Clemson’s running backs coach stayed for the entire game. That went a long way with Paul and his trainer Brandon Williams, who trains the three-star running back at FASST Performance & Fitness and has done so for the past three and a half years.

“That showed me not just the value, but the perception that I got from C.J. standing there the entire time just tells me where their relationship is with Andrew,” Williams said. ‘“Hey, this young man is what we want. It’s been amazing to see all those things, especially the respect level.”

Paul has built a close relationship with Spiller. He’ll have a tough decision to make between Clemson, Georgia and Michigan.

Paul will announce his decision at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.

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Griffin details Clemson commitment with TCI: ‘There was no more to be said’

Montgomery Catholic (Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin surprised some people when he elected to commit to Clemson Tuesday morning. Even though the fast-rising prospect, who was once committed to Mississippi State, had another official …

Montgomery Catholic (Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin surprised some people when he elected to commit to Clemson Tuesday morning.

Even though the fast-rising prospect, who was once committed to Mississippi State, had another official visit on the table, his mind was already made up.

Clemson was in a good spot coming off this past weekend’s official visit, but Griffin made his position clear when he committed to the Tigers over Nebraska and Southern Cal.

“I think there was no more to be said,” Griffin told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Tuesday night. “Clemson has it all and more. I think Dabo Swinney has a great culture up there, that continues to evolve and that the whole staff wants the same thing.”

When Griffin first arrived on campus this past weekend, he was immediately struck by the family atmosphere that Clemson has prided its program on.

“They were really a family,” he said. “I felt that in the beginning when I got on campus. I think that they’re all just united and one big family.”

Clemson’s biggest selling point? For Griffin, he again harped on the culture that Swinney and his staff have created. Even with a staff shakeup, the feeling of unity that Griffin could sense throughout the duration of his visit told him everything he needed to know.

It’s no secret that Griffin had a tough decision to make. But the more he digested his official visit to Clemson, the more he saw himself playing for Swinney’s program going forward.

Clearly, an official visit to Southern Cal was an enticing option, but he ultimately decided to put an end to his recruitment once he realized that Clemson was going to be the next place he called home.

He originally was set on visiting Lincoln Riley’s program this weekend and then he’d decide between Clemson, Nebraska and USC. Ultimately, Griffin sat down with his parents on Monday night and decided that Clemson was the place he needed to be.

There was no more to be said.

“Yeah, it is very relieving,” he said. “It’s just a huge blessing and I don’t take it for granted.”

After he made sure he was making the right move, Griffin texted members of Clemson’s staff, to inform them of his decision.

“They were all happy and excited,” Griffin said. “They wanted me to know that they’re ready for me to be up there.”

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Clemson picks up commitment from Alabama DB

Clemson has picked up a new verbal commitment from a defensive back in the 2022 class. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory (Montgomery, Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin announced his commitment to the Tigers on Tuesday morning via social …

Clemson has picked up a new verbal commitment from a defensive back in the 2022 class.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory (Montgomery, Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin announced his commitment to the Tigers on Tuesday morning via social media.

Griffin, who was previously committed to Mississippi State, is coming off his official visit to Clemson this past weekend. He received an offer from the Tigers in early January.

“I really liked it up there,” Griffin told The Clemson Insider after the official visit. “From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like everyone was a family and everybody was united.”

Griffin (6-0, 187) chose Clemson over his other two finalists, Nebraska and Southern Cal. Before the Clemson official visit last weekend, he took an official to Nebraska the weekend prior.

Griffin feels he’ll fit right in to the back end of Clemson’s secondary.

“I think I’m a long-ranging, physical DB,” he said when asked to describe himself as a player. “I love to tackle. I love to cover and take that receiver out of the picture, but I also love to tackle and be physical.”

According to Griffin, Clemson’s coaching staff compares him to former Clemson and current Philadelphia Eagles safety K’Von Wallace.

“He was all-around the back end when he was there,” Griffin said. “I’m pretty sure they plan to use me all-around.”

Griffin becomes the 15th member of Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class.

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Alabama DB recaps official visit: ‘It felt like everyone was family’

Among the uncommitted prospects in the 2022 class who were on Clemson’s campus for their official visits this past weekend was Montgomery Catholic Preparatory (Montgomery, Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin. Griffin, who was previously …

Among the uncommitted prospects in the 2022 class who were on Clemson’s campus for their official visits this past weekend was Montgomery Catholic Preparatory (Montgomery, Ala.) three-star defensive back Kylon Griffin.

Griffin, who was previously committed to Mississippi State, arrived on campus Friday evening and concluded his official visit Sunday afternoon.

“I really liked it up there,” Griffin told The Clemson Insider. “From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like everyone was a family and everybody was united.”

Now that he can look and reflect back on his visit, Griffin admits the highlight of his trip to Clemson was getting to eat dinner at Dabo Swinney’s house with the rest of the official visitors on campus this past weekend and their families.

“It felt like everybody was all united once again and that everybody wanted to talk to each other,” he said. “Nobody was scared to interact with one another.”

Griffin indicated there was a family-type feel, even though it was the first time he and the other three recruits on campus had met one another. At the time of his conversation with TCI on Monday afternoon, Griffin said he was still in contact with Caden Story, Andrew Paul and Kobe McCloud.

“I think the main message was that you’re going to be a great person and you’re gonna do things right when you’re up there,” Griffin said, “and that’s gonna lead to being on the field.”

So far, Griffin has been able to carve out a “great” relationship with his lead recruiter, Mickey Conn. According to Griffin, Clemson’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach is in lockstep with Swinney. They want him to graduate, have fun and most importantly, hopefully, win a championship.

Griffin would fit right into the backend of Clemson’s secondary.

“I think I’m a long-ranging, physical DB,” he said when asked to describe himself as a player. “I love to tackle. I love to cover and take that receiver out of the picture, but I also love to tackle and be physical.”

If he were to come to Clemson, what role does the coaching staff envision for him?

“They compared me to K’Von Wallace,” Griffin said. “He was all-around the backend when he was there. I’m pretty sure they plan to use me all-around.”

While he was compared to one former Clemson safety, he got to spend his weekend with a current one. Clemson freshman standout Andrew Mukuba served as Griffin’s player host for the duration of his time on campus.

“I love him, man,” he said of Mukuba. “He’s real cool. He’s a great person himself. I don’t know if he was like that before he got to Clemson or when he got there, but he’s a real good person. He said the same thing, just feeding off of what Coach Conn and Coach Swinney had to say.”

Griffin said Mukuba told him a couple of stories. He told him about his journey when he first got to Clemson, how he earned the No. 1 jersey and what it took to become the All-American player he is.

While Griffin left Clemson with a strong impression of the program and a good feel for the culture, he’s still going to have to make a tough decision. He narrowed down his recruitment to just three schools and has one remaining visit to Southern Cal this coming weekend. Of course, he took a visit to Clemson this past weekend and was up at the University of Nebraska, the weekend prior.

“I loved it up there too,” Griffin said of his visit to Nebraska. “That place really struck me hard because it was more than what I expected.”

Griffin is going to have to sit down and make a difficult decision with his family as he weighs his options going forward. He does, however, plan on committing to his next home, prior to National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 2. 

That’s because he would like for his high school teammate and fellow Clemson target, four-star linebacker T.J. Dudley, to have his moment. If anything, that speaks to the character of a guy like Griffin.

Clemson will continue to make its final push for Griffin as Swinney, Conn and Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin will all conduct an in-home visit with Griffin Thursday.

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