Tag: Markus Dixon

Catching up with Clemson TE commit Markus Dixon

It’s no secret that Markus Dixon is chomping at the bit and ready to hit the ground running on his senior season. Clemson’s three-star tight end commit out of Warminster (PA.) Archbishop Wood Catholic is due for a bump in the rankings and that …

It’s no secret that Markus Dixon is chomping at the bit and ready to hit the ground running on his senior season.

Clemson’s three-star tight end commit out of Warminster (PA.) Archbishop Wood Catholic is due for a bump in the rankings and that starts with his senior campaign, which won’t officially kick off until Friday, Sept. 9

Dixon recently told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview that on his way out the door and before he heads off to Clemson, he “definitely” wants to win a state championship, which has been at the forefront of his mind for the previous four years.

While that’s his only true goal, Dixon also wants to improve upon his blocking before he officially becomes a Tiger, something he couldn’t be more excited to do, along with the rest of Clemson’s class of 2023 commits.

“I can honestly say, first and foremost, it’s gonna be one of the most, if not, the most dynamic classes that Clemson has ever seen,” Dixon said. “That’s with the coaches agreeing on that and emphasizing my statement. Besides that, they’re great people. They’re funny, and great to be around. Just that whole (official visit) weekend, I always take flashback moments and just think about it.”

Dixon, who was the lone Clemson commit at the time that was unable to make the program’s All-In Cookout, said that it would’ve made a slight difference, as well as another great moment to see his future teammates again.

“I can’t wait to see them,” he said. “We’re trying to put together a game that we’re all trying to go to this upcoming fall.”

In the meantime, Dixon continues to build a relationship with his future teammates, specifically his fellow tight end commit in Naples (Fla.) First Baptist Academy four-star Olsen Patt Henry.

“Ever since that first day, we’ve been tight. Now, we’re at the point where we’re even teaching the lingo from Naples, Florida (Henry’s hometown) and Philly. Honestly, I’m just happy that Olsen is just a great guy I can be around in the tight end room.”

He’s in a group chat with both Henry and tight ends coach Kyle Richardson, who served as Dixon’s primary recruiter during the recruiting process. Dixon said that they talk to each other a couple of days throughout the week, just keeping each other updated enough through their busy schedules.

As he further develops his relationship with his future position coach, he’s further built one with his future offensive coordinator as well.

“Coach Streeter’s my man,” Dixon said. “He’s a funny guy. From the rip, he told me, ‘We’re doing something great here, especially with our tight ends.’ From Day 1, he’s just been improving with the relationship and the chemistry.”

Dixon, of course, will be keeping tabs on how Streeter and Richardson utilize the tight end in Clemson’s offense this season. He said that’ll likely be one of the most important things for him when it comes to watching Clemson play this season.

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Clemson football 2023 recruiting class tracker

Clemson football is on a recruiting tear. Check out the Tigers 2023 class so far.

Updated 8/9

We are in full swing with the 2023 recruiting cycle, with this past month being a busy one for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program.

There have been ups and downs during the process, but the Tigers have had a great start in the 23′ class. Though the team has dealt with decommitments from four-star wide receiver Nathanial Joseph and three-star tight end Reid Mikeska, Clemson still ranks among the top of 247Sports 2023 recruit team rankings.

According to the 247Sports rankings, Friday’s addition of five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods has pushed Clemson up to the No.3 ranked class in the country with eleven commits and 260.28 total points.

Swinney and the Tigers are one of the hottest teams on the recruiting trail right now after snagging Woods from his home state and power house program, Alabama.

Here is a look at the Tigers’ current 2023 class with their 247Sports composite ranking:

Clemson lands another of nation’s best

Clemson landed its latest commitment in the class of 2023 from a top tight end prospect out of the state of Pennsylvania. Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced his commitment to the Tigers around 5 …

Clemson landed its latest commitment in the class of 2023 from a top tight end prospect out of the state of Pennsylvania.

Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced his commitment to the Tigers around 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Before Dixon’s announcement, he answered some questions for The Clemson Insider and revealed why he committed to Clemson over schools like Oklahoma, Oregon, Cincinnati, Penn State and Texas A&M, among others.

“Clemson felt like the perfect second home I was looking for,” Dixon told TCI. “The dynamic program Clemson is really made a big impact.”

Dixon reported an offer from Clemson during the official visit on Friday, June 3. While it was his first time in Tiger Town, there wasn’t much more that needed to be said. Just a couple of days after Clemson’s official visit weekend, Dixon set a commitment date and informed us that he would no longer be taking any visits.

“Clemson is a great place to be at and the academics are amazing, which really caught my attention a lot,” he said.

Dixon becomes the second tight end to verbally pledge to Clemson in the class of 2023. He joins First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) four-star Olsen Patt Henry, who announced his verbal commitment to Clemson last week.

According to Dixon, Clemson’s coaching staff talked about him and Henry being the only tight ends they were heavily interested in. They were the only two players at their position among 31 official visitors. That proved to be foreshadowing.

“Clemson wants Olsen and I to develop into an entire tight end(s) and they have a plan for us,” Dixon said.

What can Clemson fans expect out of Dixon, the nation’s No. 24 tight end in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, once he arrives in Tiger Town?

“Tiger Town can expect a great addition to the offense and the entire team of Clemson,” he said.

Off the field, Dixon is a funny guy that always produces great vibes and is a true student-athlete.

Dixon becomes the 11th commitment in Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class overall, joining Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Ala.) five-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina, Edison (Miami, Fla.) four-star wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph, St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) four-star defensive end David Ojiegbe, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) four-star offensive lineman Ian Reed, Westlake (Atlanta, Ga.) four-star cornerback Avieon Terrell, First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) four-star tight end Olsen Patt Henry, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star cornerback Branden Strozier, Sumner (Riverview, Fla.) four-star safety Kylen Webb,  Rockwall (TX.) four-star wide receiver Noble Johnson and Mill Creek High School (Hoschton, Ga.) four-star linebacker Jamal Anderson.

The Insider Report: Multiple sunny forecasts, latest on top targets & more

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend. Top DL target set to make decision Wednesday Just two days ahead of a big announcement for one of Clemson’s top defensive line prospects in the 2023 …

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

We hope everyone had a great weekend.

Top DL target set to make decision Wednesday

Just two days ahead of a big announcement for one of Clemson’s top defensive line prospects in the 2023 recruiting class, The Clemson Insider is calling for Wednesday to be a sunny day in Tiger Town.

Warner Robins (Ga.) High School five-star defensive lineman Vic Burley announced Monday that he will be announcing his college decision come Wednesday afternoon. Burley, who 247Sports considers to be the nation’s No. 4 defensive lineman and No. 22 prospect overall in the 2023 class, is ready to announce his decision, as he will choose between Clemson, Georgia, Michigan State and Tennessee.

We have gathered enough information to make our sunny forecast for Burley.

While Burley wasn’t in attendance for Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5, TCI was told by a source not to discount players who weren’t in town as a wave of commitments came in early last week.

And while Burley last visited for Clemson’s Elite Junior Day on Jan. 31, it was then that he told TCI that the Tigers were at the top of his recruitment.

That held true at the time and obviously bears fruit now, but Burley wanted to make other visits before pulling the trigger on a college commitment.

“I know they’re at the top, I just don’t really have a good (feel) on my list right now,” he said back in January. “But I know they’re at the top, though.”

One thing stands out the most to Burley when he thinks about Clemson’s program.

“They think more of the person than the athlete,” he said.

TE target announcing commitment Tuesday

Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon will make his commitment at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.

At this time, we’re prepared to make our sunny forecast for Dixon, who took an official visit to Clemson last weekend and has no plans to make any additional visits to other contenders in his recruitment.

“It was great,” Dixon said regarding his official visit experience. “I think Clemson made a very huge impact in my recruitment.”

Dixon reported an offer from Clemson during the official visit on Friday, June 3.

“It was a heavy offer,” he said. “It’s not just any Power Five school offering me. This is a team that’s almost consistently top-four every year. I think that this is a great program and them offering just really shows my skills and abilities and how they’d love to use me.”

If Dixon were to commit to Clemson, he’d join First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) four-star Olsen Patt Henry, who announced his verbal commitment to Clemson last week.

Dixon said that Clemson’s coaching staff did talk about him and Henry being the only tight ends that they’re heavily interested in.

“Hanging with him throughout the whole weekend, he was just a great person to be around,” Dixon said of Henry. “We haven’t even played together, so I think that just says a lot about his character.”

Dixon (6-5, 230) is the nation’s No. 24 tight end in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Tigers in good position to land top-75 recruit

After speaking with a source familiar with a Lone Star State prospect’s recruitment, we can tell you that Clemson is in a prime position to land the commitment of one of its top targets.

We can tell you that things have been trending in that direction for Permian (Odessa, Texas) 2023 four-star offensive lineman Harris Sewell, ever since he was among Clemson’s 31 official visitors for the program’s official visit weekend.

In April, Sewell dropped a top-five featuring Clemson along with Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Sewell on Nov. 1, just a couple of days after he was in attendance as an unofficial visitor for Clemson’s 30-20 win over Florida State. He also visited Clemson last July.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is ranked as a top-100 national prospect in the 2023 class by both ESPN (No. 65) and the 247Sports Composite (No. 73).

While this goes without saying, this would be a major addition to Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class, as well as a big boost for the program’s offensive line recruiting going forward.

Update on the nation’s top-ranked LB

The nation’s No. 1 linebacker in the 2024 class returned to Clemson for another visit last week. Jefferson (Ga.) High School five-star Sammy Brown was back on campus for an unofficial visit this past Friday.

It was his first time back in Clemson since he visited for the Tigers’ final spring practice before the program’s spring game. Friday marked his third trip to Tiger Town in as many months, as he was also on campus on March 12, when he became the first class of 2024 prospect to receive an offer from the Tigers.

“We went up Friday morning and left that night,” Brown told The Clemson Insider. “My brother was camping in the weekend camp, so we just helped him out and made a visit out of it. I was able to spend a lot of time with Coach Goodwin and be able to just talk with him. I was also able to talk with some of the players that were working the linebacker drills. The highlight of the visit was probably talking about their P.A.W. Journey Program. It was really cool to just see what they’re doing and how they’re developing players off the field.”

It was important for Brown to get back on campus and continue to further build his relationship with Clemson defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Wesley Goodwin.

“Our relationship is definitely getting stronger,” Brown said. “It’s a lot more talks about hunting and fishing than it is football. A little recruiting here and there, but mostly the conversation is about life outside football.”

We asked Brown if this visit changed anything about where Clemson currently stands in his recruitment.

“I’m still trying to stay totally neutral on schools right now, but I really like what Clemson is doing,” he said.

The latest on a top DL target’s visit

TCI caught up with The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, CT.) 2024 four-star defensive lineman Jerod Smith, who was on Clemson/s campus for an unofficial visit this Friday.

Smith was able to line up a visit on short notice.

His head coach and Clemson defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall got in contact on Thursday night and Smith was able to set up a visit for the following morning.

“It was short notice, but it was a really good visit,” he said. “Of course, they have the best facilities. They have all the best things that you could see, but the family atmosphere there is huge.”

What type of feedback did Smith get from Hall on his visit?

“His main message is that he’s really big on relationships,” Smith said. “He doesn’t give a kid an offer to give a kid an offer. He likes to see how they are, what type of relationship they build and all that.”

Smith 100% respects that level of thinking.

He said that he’s noticed during the recruitment process that with schools that tend to take relationships more seriously, there is usually a better outcome that comes with it. With that being said, Smith is excited to build his relationship with Clemson going forward.

“One of the main things they said too was that Coach Swinney loves to see his recruits visit campus before they decide to even offer or anything,” Smith said. “That was also another big part.”

247Sports has tabbed Smith (6-4, 260) as the nation’s No. 8 defensive lineman and No. 55 prospect overall in the 2024 class.

Staff Writer Gavin Oliver contributed to this week’s edition of The Insider Report.

Clemson target locks in commitment date

A Clemson tight end target in the class of 2023 has locked in his commitment date. Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced via social media Friday morning that he will make his commitment at 5 p.m. …

A Clemson tight end target in the class of 2023 has locked in his commitment date.

Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced via social media Friday morning that he will make his commitment at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.

Talking with The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Wednesday, Dixon detailed his official visit to Tiger Town this past weekend and gave the latest on his recruitment.

“It was great,” Dixon said regarding his official visit experience. “I think Clemson made a very huge impact in my recruitment.”

Dixon reported an offer from Clemson during the official visit on Friday, June 3.

“It was a heavy offer,” he said. “It’s not just any Power Five school offering me. This is a team that’s almost consistently top-four every year. I think that this is a great program and them offering just really shows my skills and abilities and how they’d love to use me.”

Dixon (6-5, 230) is the nation’s No. 24 tight end in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

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Clemson made a ‘very huge impact’ on Pennsylvania TE’s recruitment during official visit

The Clemson Insider recently spoke with a newly-offered tight end, who made his first trip to Clemson for the program’s official visit weekend. Clemson has quickly and not so quietly made quite the splash in Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, …

The Clemson Insider recently spoke with a newly-offered tight end, who made his first trip to Clemson for the program’s official visit weekend.

Clemson has quickly and not so quietly made quite the splash in Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon’s recruitment. Talking with TCI in a phone interview Wednesday, Dixon detailed his official visit to Tiger Town this past weekend and gave the latest on his recruitment, which could soon be nearing a conclusion.

“It was great,” Dixon said regarding his official visit experience. “I think Clemson made a very huge impact in my recruitment.”

What stood out to Dixon during his first-ever visit to Clemson, is how the program is very family-oriented. He feels like that also speaks for what the team values off the field, including academics.

Dixon reported an offer from the school he was officially visiting on Friday, June 3.

“It was a heavy offer,” he said. “It’s not just any Power Five school offering me. This is a team that’s almost consistently top-four every year. I think that this is a great program and them offering just really shows my skills and abilities and how they’d love to use me.”

Dixon thinks that he will be making his college decision next week. He doesn’t have any more official visits lined up at the moment and said that his Clemson one was the only one he planned on taking as of now.

“They’re definitely heavy on my list,” Dixon said when asked where the Tigers currently stand in his recruitment.

Among 31 official visitors, Dixon and First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) four-star Olsen Patt Henry were the only two tight ends on campus this past weekend. Henry announced his verbal commitment to Clemson on Tuesday.

Dixon said that Clemson’s coaching staff did talk about him and Henry being the only tight ends that they’re heavily interested in.

“Hanging with him throughout the whole weekend, he was just a great person to be around,” Dixon said of Henry. “We haven’t even played together, so I think that just says a lot about his character.”

The other tight end that Dixon got to spend time around during his official visit was Sage Ennis, who served as his player host for the weekend.

“He’s a funny guy with a wholesome spirit,” Dixon said of the Clemson redshirt sophomore tight end. “I can definitely see myself just learning the game from him. Just being around him was pretty cool.”

Between the coaching staff, tight ends coach Kyle Richardson, Ennis and everything the program has to offer and more, Clemson certainly made a huge impression on Dixon and his family. He was accompanied by his mother and two siblings, who also thoroughly enjoyed their first stay in South Carolina. 

When it comes time for Dixon to make his eventual college decision, he told us that he’s looking for a program that will take care of him on and off the field, especially coaching staff-wise. He’s also looking for a program that he feels will help develop him and his game as a whole all-around tight end.

While it won’t be an ultimate deciding factor in his decision, Dixon will certainly look at the quarterback position. This past weekend, he was able to spend a lot of time with the leader of Clemson’s 2023 class in Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Ala.) five-star quarterback commit, Christopher Vizzina.

“I was excited about being around CV,” Dixon said. “I was around CV a lot this weekend. He’s actually a great person. I’m looking forward to building a real tight chemistry between us if that were to happen. He’s just a great quarterback and I’m real excited for what the future holds for him.

That future could be together, but that’s up to Dixon, who very well could be making his college decision come next week.

Dixon (6-5, 230) is the nation’s No. 24 tight end in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

— Photo for this article courtesy of @markusd1xon on Instagram.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

Pennsylvania TE gets Clemson offer on official visit

Clemson extended an offer Friday to a tight end target who is in Tiger Town for his official visit this weekend. Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced the offer via social media Friday evening. …

Clemson extended an offer Friday to a tight end target who is in Tiger Town for his official visit this weekend.

Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pa.) three-star tight end Markus Dixon announced the offer via social media Friday evening.

Dixon (6-5, 230) is the nation’s No. 24 tight end in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

In addition to Clemson, Dixon is planning on visiting Oregon, Cincinnati and Texas A&M.

Dixon included all three schools mentioned above in his top-10 list, which he dropped in early February. Those remaining seven programs are Pitt, Rutgers, Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

Top prospects flocking to Tiger Town: Previewing Clemson’s big official visit weekend

Clemson’s big official visit weekend is here. A slew of Clemson’s top targets will be on campus for their official visits this weekend, as the Tigers play host to official visitors in June for the first time under head coach Dabo Swinney. It’s …

Clemson’s big official visit weekend is here.

A slew of Clemson’s top targets will be on campus for their official visits this weekend, as the Tigers play host to official visitors in June for the first time under head coach Dabo Swinney. It’s something they haven’t done in the past, and Swinney recently went in-depth on the change in their official visit policy, explaining that the only prospects being brought in for June official visits are ones who have already been on campus at Clemson in the past for unofficial visits.

TCI has confirmed that more than two dozen prospects in the 2023 class will be making their official visits to Clemson this weekend, including the Tigers’ four commitments.

The official visit weekend runs from today through Sunday, with a casino/game night, Clemson Scavenger Hunt and dinner at Swinney’s house among the highlights on the schedule over the course of the weekend.

As the Tigers get set for the big official visit weekend, The Clemson Insider breaks down the official visitors by position and gives a rundown of the names expected to be on campus this weekend:

Quarterback

Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Ala.) Christopher Vizzina (committed)

Vizzina committed to Clemson on April 12 over schools like Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Auburn, Ohio State and Georgia.

“It really came down to I went across the country, I went to so many different places and normally a guy from Alabama kind of stays South, doesn’t visit the North and I mean, I went everywhere,” Vizzina said. “And I just kept coming back to Clemson and I kept realizing there’s nowhere else like Clemson.

“I was sold on that. I’ve been building these relationships with the coaches forever now. I mean really a couple of years. It was really a no-brainer.”

He understands the significance of this weekend from a recruiting class standpoint and will certainly do his job as the vocal leader of this class. Vizzina is said to be having a good feeling about this weekend, which certainly bodes well for Clemson.

Running Back

Montgomery (Ala.) Catholic four-star RB Jeremiah Cobb

Cobb released his final four in late May, including Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU and Texas. This, of course, came after the 5-foot-11, 185-pound rising senior became one of the latest recipients of a Clemson offer on May 12.

“They’re pretty high up over most of these schools,” Cobb said. “It’s a really great program filled with great people.”

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.

Wide Receivers

Lakeland (Fla.) four-star WR Tyler Williams, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge, Mass.) four-star Ronan Hanafin, Edison (Miami, Fla.) four-star WR Nathaniel Joseph (committed) and Rolesville (Raleigh, N.C.) four-star WR Noah Rogers

In early May, Williams dropped a top-10 featuring Clemson along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Syracuse, Southern Cal and USF. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Williams on Jan. 29, when he visited for the program’s elite junior day. Williams told TCI after he got offered that he would be put in a “great position” if he were to go to Clemson.

Hanafin earned an offer from the Tigers after he made an unofficial visit on March 31. Speaking recently with TCI, Hanafin indicated that the Tigers have had made him a priority and he’s in constant contact with both Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham.

Joseph, a four-star prospect from Edison High School in Miami, Fla., became the first commit in Clemson’s 2023 class when he announced his verbal pledge to the Tigers on Sept. 10, 2021.

Rogers dropped a top-five last month featuring Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, North Carolina and N.C. State. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Rogers on Jan. 12. Rogers (6-2, 180) is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of North Carolina for the 2023 class by all the major recruiting services. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is the No. 10 wide receiver and No. 59 overall prospect in his class.

Tight Ends

First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star TE Olsen Patt Henry and Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) three-star TE Markus Dixon 

Henry, who picked up an offer from the Tigers earlier last month, dropped a top schools list featuring Clemson, Minnesota, Duke, Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Henry, who lists close to 20 total offers, mentioned Rutgers, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisville and Oklahoma as the schools recruiting him the hardest at the time he spoke with TCI.

The Tigers have not yet offered Dixon, who is considered by both Rivals and 247Sports to be the nation’s No. 27-ranked tight end in the 2023 class. In addition to Clemson, Dixon is planning on visiting Oregon, Cincinnati and Texas A&M. Dixon included all three schools mentioned above in his top-10 list, which he dropped in early February. Those remaining seven programs are Pitt, Rutgers, Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Offensive Linemen

Odessa (Texas) Permian four-star IOL Harris Sewell, Acworth (Ga.) Kennesaw Mountain three-star IOL Connor Lew, Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman four-star OT Markee Anderson, Mcdonough (Ga.) Eagle’s Landing Christian four-star OT Zechariah Owens, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift four-star OT Ian Reed

In April, Sewell dropped a top-five featuring Clemson along with Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama. The Tigers extended a scholarship offer to Sewell on Nov. 1, just a couple of days after he was in attendance as an unofficial visitor for Clemson’s 30-20 win over Florida State. He also visited Clemson last July. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is ranked as a top-100 national prospect in the 2023 class by both ESPN (No. 65) and the 247Sports Composite (No. 76).

Lew released his final four in late May, including Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and Miami, and announced that he would be taking official visits to all four of those schools in June. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder was a first-team All-State performer last season and lists around two dozen scholarship offers, including offers from schools such as Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

In addition to Clemson, Anderson has also set official visits to North Carolina (June 8-10), LSU (June 17-19) and South Carolina (June 24-26). Those three schools, along with Clemson, comprise the top-four schools list that Anderson released on April 30. The 6-6, 303-pounder has made numerous trips to Tiger Town since receiving an offer from Clemson back in September 2021.

Owens, who was most recently on campus to watch Clemson’s first scrimmage of the spring at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, March 30, indicated to TCI after making visits to Clemson and Florida State this spring that the two schools were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in his recruitment. Owens, ranked as the nation’s No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 66 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports, received an offer from Clemson while on campus for Clemson’s Elite Visit Day in early March.

Reed has been on Clemson’s campus once before, when he made an unofficial visit in conjunction with the April 9 spring game and picked up an offer from the Tigers. The nation’s No. 22 offensive tackle in the 2023 class per 247Sports, Reed has also set official visits to Wisconsin (June 10-12), Oklahoma State (June 14-16) and Texas (June 24-26), while he will make an unofficial visit to Alabama from June 17-19. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder is planning to make his commitment in mid-August, right before the start of his senior season.

Defensive Linemen 

Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson five-star Peter Woods, Rome (Ga.) four-star Stephiylan Green, Thomaston (Ga.) Upson-Lee four-star T.J. Searcy, Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star A.J. Hoffler, Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville four-star Hunter Osborne, Highland Home (Ala.) four-star Keldric Faulk, Columbus (Ga.) Carver four-star Darron Reed 

Woods (6-4, 265) is rated as a five-star prospect by ESPN and the 247Sports Composite. He is ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 9 overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN, while the composite rankings tab him as the No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 27 overall prospect in his class. In late March, Woods announced a final-four-schools list featuring Clemson along with Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma. Jackson State recently offered Woods, and he is legitimately considering that school as well. The Tigers extended an offer to Woods back on June 1, 2021, and he most recently visited Clemson this past January for the Tigers’ elite junior day. Woods also made a couple of visits to Clemson last season for the Boston College and Florida State games in October.

Green is ranked as high as the No. 7 defensive tackle and No. 188 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals. In late April, he announced a top six comprised of Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder made an unofficial visit to Clemson in early March. The Tigers have not yet offered.

Searcy (6-5, 250) thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Clemson’s campus on March 5, when he collected an offer from the Tigers. “It feels amazing to have an offer from Clemson because of how good of a program they are,” he told TCI after the visit. A good run-stopper, who uses his length and size to his advantage, Searcy is the No. 185 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports.

Hoffler (6-5, 245), who also picked up an offer from Clemson during his March 5 visit, returned to Tiger Town last month. While Ohio State was once the leader in the clubhouse, Hoffler indicated to TCI recently that Clemson has since closed that perceived gap going into this weekend’s official visit. “I think Clemson has done a really good job, as far as recruiting me,” Hoffler said. “I would say that they have closed the gap.”

Osborne (6-3, 250) released his final six schools on May 13, including Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Texas, LSU and Tennessee on his shortlist. He likewise visited Clemson on March 5 and came away from the visit blown away by everything Clemson had to offer. The Tigers extended an offer to Osborne, who lists more than four dozen total offers, during the visit.

Faulk received an offer from Clemson in January and then attended the Tigers’ elite junior day later that month. The 6-foot-6, 248-pounder is ranked as high as the No. 5 weakside defensive end and No. 92 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals. His offer list includes Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Tennessee and many others.

Last month, Reed (6-4, 270) released a list of his top schools which included Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Texas A&M. While Clemson did not appear in his top group, Reed confirmed to TCI that Clemson is still in the running for him, as he said the Tigers were accidentally left off the top-schools graphic.

“It was just an accident we didn’t put them on the edit,” Reed explained. “I talked to Coach about that, and we’re still locked in the 3rd through the 5th for the official.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he added of the official visit. “I’m very excited for it.”

Reed was also on campus at Clemson earlier this year for the program’s elite junior day Jan. 29.

Edge Rushers 

Washington (D.C.) St. John’s four-star David Ojiegbe (committed) and Austin (Texas) Westlake four-star Colton Vasek 

Following his visit to Clemson for the April 9 spring game, Ojiegbe committed to the Tigers on April 27, choosing them over schools like Maryland, Miami, Michigan and North Carolina.

Ojiegbe — the No. 20 edge defender and No. 167 overall prospect in the 2023 class, per 247Sports — felt very good about Clemson after he visited for the program’s second junior day of the year on March 5, when he received his Clemson offer, and explained to TCI why he chose the Tigers.

“Faith, family and football,” Ojiegbe said, “and the family vibes I’ve already felt them…They’re gonna make me a better man and a better football player. They’re gonna develop me in everything, every aspect of life at the next level, whether that’s going to the league or into the workforce.”

Vasek — a former teammate of Clemson freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik — was on Clemson’s campus on March 14 for an unofficial visit and subsequently left town with a scholarship offer in hand.

“It was absolutely…I loved it up there,” Vasek told TCI. “It impressed me a ton, just seeing the campus, the facilities, meeting all the coaches and seeing what Clemson really had to offer. I really loved my time up there.”

“I would go as far as saying that this is probably my favorite visit I’ve been on out of all the schools I’ve visited so far,” he added.

On Thursday, Vasek released a top five featuring Clemson along with Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

The rising senior is rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals and the 247Sports Composite, the latter of which ranks him as the No. 27 edge rusher and No. 284 overall prospect in the 2023 class.

Linebackers

Fairfax (Va.) four-star LB Tony Rojas, Demark (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star LB Dee Crayton, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) four-star LB Jamal Anderson and Tampa (Fla.) Catholic four-star LB Lewis Carter

Rojas earned an offer from Clemson when he first visited for the program’s junior day on March 5 and returned in April for a spring practice visit. In April, he dropped a final four that featured Clemson, Georgia, Penn State and Miami. Rojas (6-3, 200) is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Virginia, No. 12 outside linebacker and No. 210 overall prospect in the 2023 class by Rivals.

Crayton earned an offer from the Tigers back in February and has since maintained that Clemson is a top school in his recruitment. That rang true when he included Clemson in a top schools list that also featured Auburn, Mizzou, Penn State and UCF.

“Definitely, something that comes right to mind is my relationship with Coach Wes (Goodwin),” Crayton told TCI when asked why he included Clemson among his top schools. “He actually came to my practice. He’s always just recruiting me hard. We talk every day — he makes sure he calls me and we chat it up whether it’s for five minutes or 15 — we’re always just talking.

“Just being able to see myself in the defense and my head coach (Mike Palmieri) actually coached Trenton (Simpson),” Crayton continued. “He’s kind of aligned with Clemson in coaching linebackers. (Coach Goodwin) is coaching Trenton now, so that’s pretty cool seeing him develop and that possibly being me.”

Rivals considers Crayton to be the No. 9 linebacker and the nation’s No. 130 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

Anderson (6-4, 200) is the son of former Utah and Atlanta Falcons All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson, Sr. The younger Anderson received an offer from Clemson while on campus on March 12. He is ranked as high as the No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 123 overall prospect in the 2023 class by ESPN.

Clemson offered Carter back in December 2021 when Brent Venables was still the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Carter (6-0, 205) is ranked as high as the No. 116 overall prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports, which considers him the No. 8 linebacker in the country for his class.

Cornerbacks

American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) four-star CB Damari Brown and St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) four-star CB Branden Strozier (committed)

Clemson offered Brown back in January. He dropped his final six schools on Thursday, featuring Clemson, Miami, LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida State.

Strozier committed to the Tigers on May 20, choosing Clemson over Alabama and Tennessee.

It all came down to the fact of what school is gonna help bring me the best version of myself, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Strozier said. “I felt like Clemson was the best fit for me and that I’ll be able to thrive in their program.”

What was it about Clemson’s recruiting pitch that resonated with Strozier the most?

“Really just the coaching stability there,” he said. “You know people say, ‘Don’t go to school because of the coach,’ but you have to choose a school with the right coach that’s going to be able to develop you. And at Clemson, their coaching staff doesn’t change a whole lot. So, being able to have a stable coaching staff is just really great.”

Safeties

Summer High (Riverview, Fla.) three-star ATH Kylen Webb and Crisp County (Cordele, Ga.) three-star S Ahmad Brown

Clemson offered Webb after he made an unofficial visit to campus on March 17. Webb told TCI recently that he is currently enjoying the recruitment process and plans to make a decision before the fall. He made sure to reiterate that Clemson is one of the top schools in his recruitment. In addition to Clemson, Webb mentioned UCF and Florida State as the schools recruiting him the hardest at the moment.

Brown picked up an offer from Clemson back in April. Brown later visited and told us that Clemson is at the top of his standings in his recruitment.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

Rising TE, Pennsylvania native locks in Clemson official visit

The Clemson Insider has learned that a new tight end target has set an official visit to Clemson. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) three-star Markus Dixon will attend Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5. We caught up with Dixon – a …

The Clemson Insider has learned that a new tight end target has set an official visit to Clemson. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) three-star Markus Dixon will attend Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5.

We caught up with Dixon — a 6-foot-5, 230-pound rising senior in the class of 2023 — who detailed in a phone interview why he’s choosing to take one of his official visits to Clemson, as well as his relationship with tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, Kyle Richardson.

“Firstly, just Coach Richardson reaching out and connecting with me and making me interested in the Clemson program — a highly dynamic Power Five school,” Dixon said. “That’s just one of the reasons why I want to take an official there.”

Richardson got in contact with Dixon about a month ago.

“Our relationship, he’s really keyed in on me and told me how much of a factor I can be at Clemson University,” Dixon continued. “He always reminds me of that on the daily.”

Richardson recently stopped by Archbishop Wood.

“That definitely means a lot and plays a big part,” he said. “He’s coming up and taking time out of his day to stop by and say hello.”

Dixon said that Richardson had discussed an offer with him, but he wants to make sure Clemson gets it, guys, on campus first. Typically, the Tigers would like for players to visit campus before they offer them a scholarship.

Dixon will be in town from June 3-5. He’s hopeful that his official visit will answer any questions that he has about Clemson on and off the field.

“I would definitely key in on that school, just like every new school that always offers,” he said regarding a potential Clemson offer. “I would make sure to reevaluate and make sure that I do a great job of asking questions and getting to know the coaches.”

In addition to Clemson, Dixon is planning on visiting Oregon, Cincinnati and Texas A&M.

Dixon included all three schools mentioned above in his top-10 list, which he dropped in early February. Those remaining seven programs are Pitt, Rutgers, Georgia, Florida State, Ole Miss, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

As far as his recruitment is concerned, the working plan for Dixon is to take his visits this summer and reevaluate his options from there. Right now, he’s looking forward to having a decision made before his senior season starts.

Getting a better feel for Dixon and his game, he compared himself to a Travis Kelce-type of player that can split out wide and make plays with the ball in his hands. Right now, Dixon considers himself to be more of a receiving tight end but is hopeful that he can transform his game into that of an all-around tight end, especially during his senior campaign at Archbishop Wood.

— Photo for this article courtesy of Markus Dixon.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

Oklahoma Sooners summer recruiting primer for the 2023 recruiting cycle

With the summer on the horizon, we took a look at the names to know as the Sooners look to make a push on the recruiting front for 2023.

Brent Venables and Co. are weeks removed from their first spring as a staff together. It was a successful one with no notable injuries and some standout performances across the board. All told, things went as well as they could’ve hoped considering the positive reviews from the media and recruits in attendance.

The spring game served as an eye-opener for recruits and gave the Oklahoma Sooners some significant momentum to ride as they head into the most crucial time of the year for recruiting. With spring ball done and the team going home to recharge before fall camp, the staff will be all in on recruiting. With that in mind, it’s time to map out the targets to watch as the 2023 class begins to materialize this summer.