Tag: Matt Luke

Clemson makes 5-star OL David Sanders Top 6

Clemson lands in the Top 6 for one of the top two 2025 recruits in the country.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers may have lost an offensive line commitment in the 2025 class recently, but they’re hoping to make up for it with a 5-star target in the class who recently listed Clemson among his Top 6.

Providence Day School’s (N.C) David Sanders took to X (formerly known as Twitter) Saturday to announce his top 6, with Clemson fans being thrilled to see the Tigers still in the hunt. Clemson competes with Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Sanders is as big of a recruit as they come, ranking as the No. 1 OT and the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports rankings and their industry composite rankings. Multiple reports have indicated that the Tigers left a strong impression on Sanders during his visits.

This is a guy to keep an eye out for, as Clemson could use a huge win in recruiting on the offensive line.

Swinney and Luke visit the No.1 offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class

Dabo Swinney and Matt Luke visited the top offensive line recruit in the 2025 class.

The Clemson coaching has been visiting some of the top recruits across the country of late, with Dabo Swinney and new offensive line coach Matt Luke heading out of state to visit one of the best recruits in the 2025 class.

Five-star offensive lineman David Sanders has been on the Tigers’ radar, with Swinney and Luke recently visiting the recruit. They attended a 7th-grade basketball game with the recruit, hoping to build a strong relationship as they attempt to land the top target.

According to 247Sports composite rankings, Sanders is the No.1 offensive tackle and No.2 overall player in the 2025 class. Sanders would be a massive piece for the Tigers, as they are in massive need of an upgrade on the offensive line. That is part of the reason they added Luke to the staff, as he is an excellent recruiter.

Three things Clemson Football needs to improve for the 2024 season

Three areas of improvement Clemson needs to make to be a contender in the 2024 season.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program ended their 2023 season on a high note, taking down Mark Stoops and Kentucky 38-35 in a wild Gator Bowl win.

Even if the Tigers were far from perfect in the win, it was an excellent way to end their season. With 2023 behind us, it is time for us and the Clemson program to move toward the 2024 season and what the Tigers need to improve on this offseason for this program to once again be a competitor for the big one.

Obviously, there are tons of different areas any college football team can improve on during the offseason, but I’m honing in on three specific places here. With that being said, let’s take a look at those three things.

Swinney ‘really excited’ about the Tigers’ 2024 offensive line despite Gator Bowl struggles

Clemson allowed eight sacks against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, but head coach Dabo Swinney has plenty of confidence in the unit going into 2024.

Clemson’s offensive line performance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday left much to be desired, but despite the unit’s struggles, head coach Dabo Swinney remained optimistic about the future.

Speaking to the media after the Tigers’ 38-35 victory over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, head coach Dabo Swinney briefly touched on the offensive line’s performance and outlook.

“We’ll have seven starters coming back, and we’re excited about that,” Swinney said. “We’re excited about what we got. I’m sure not all of those sacks were on the OL. It’s easy, and that’s kind of the first thing everybody does, but we’ll watch the tape and assess it. There’s probably one or two that Cade might’ve taken. I don’t know, we’ll see when we watch the tape. There’s a lot of things that go into it, but I’m really excited about the group that’s coming back.”

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was sacked eight times against the Wildcats on Friday after only being sacked 20 times throughout the regular season.

Despite consistently being under duress and hit, Klubnik said after the game that he felt like he “had all day back there today.”

Nonetheless, Swinney added in his post-game press conference that Clemson’s offensive line has to “get better,” and the Tigers need to “establish our depth.”

Swinney’s confidence in next year’s line stems from two factors, the first of which is the returning players on the roster.

In 2024, Clemson will have Marcus Tate, Walker Parks, Blake Miller, Collin Sadler, Tristan Leigh, Harris Sewell and Trent Howard, all of whom started in at least one game this season. The only starter who the Tigers are losing is center Will Putnam, who is out of eligibility. Clemson also lost guard Mitchell Mayes to the transfer portal earlier this month.

The second reason Swinney has confidence in the unit is the hiring of Matt Luke as the new offensive line coach.

Luke coached in Friday’s game against Kentucky, and although his group didn’t perform exceptionally well, he is expected to elevate and develop the blockers up front, as well as have more success on the recruiting trail than his predecessor, Thomas Austin.

Clemson receives crystal ball for offensive lineman committed to Duke

Clemson could be landing a third offensive line commit in the coming days.

Clemson has received a crystal ball prediction for an offensive line recruit who has been verbally committed to Duke since June.

Two 247Sports insiders made crystal ball predictions on Friday that three-star offensive tackle Mason Wade will flip his commitment from the Blue Devils to the Tigers. Clemson offered Wade on Thursday, and the Virginia native immediately made his way down to Tiger Town on Thursday night, so it’s very possible that he will announce a pledge to the Tigers in the coming days.

Wade, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound prospect, is the No. 56 offensive tackle and No. 725 overall recruit in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

As of Thursday, Clemson only has two offensive linemen committed to their 2024 class: three-star offensive tackle Ronan O’Connell and three-star interior lineman Watson Young. Wade marks the 21st offensive lineman the Tigers have offered, according to 247Sports.

If Wade chooses to be a Tiger, it will mark the first offensive lineman commitment Clemson has received since head coach Dabo Swinney hired Matt Luke to replace Thomas Austin as the Tigers’ offensive line coach.

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Clemson offers 3-star lineman committed to Duke

Clemson has offered an offensive line prospect who has been committed to Duke since June.

Clemson has offered yet another lineman in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

On Thursday, the Tigers officially gave an offer to Mason Wade, a three-star offensive tackle prospect who has been committed to Duke since June.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Virginia native is the No. 56 offensive tackle and No. 725 overall recruit in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

While Wade is verbally committed to the Blue Devils, he could flip to the Tigers, as their offer comes a few weeks after head coach Dabo Swinney brought in Matt Luke to be the Tigers’ new offensive line coach, taking over for Thomas Austin.

As of Thursday, Clemson only has two offensive linemen committed to their 2024 class: three-star offensive tackle Ronan O’Connell and three-star interior lineman Watson Young. Wade marks the 21st offensive lineman the Tigers have offered, according to 247Sports.

Time will tell if Wade flips, but if he does, Luke’s impact could already be felt in the first handful of weeks of being on staff.

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Clemson transfer OL target commits to Georgia Tech

One of Clemson’s top targets in the transfer portal has committed to Georgia Tech.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have been looking to bolster their offensive line in the transfer portal but have struck out on two of their top targets in the portal.

The latest is former Middle Tennessee sophomore offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge, who took to social media Wednesday to announce his commitment to Georgia Tech. He had planned to visit Clemson, but that trip was rescheduled, and it looks like it won’t be happening after this news. 

In 2023, Rutledge was a first-team All-Conference USA player, starting 11 games for the Blue Raiders. Clemson, now missing out on Rutledge and the newest Penn State commit, Alan Herron will have to look elsewhere to build their offensive line.

Offensive Tackle Blake Miller discusses Clemson’s coaching change

Tigers’ offensive tackle Blake Miller shared some thoughts on Clemson’s recent coaching change.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program made a big move, bringing in Matt Luke as the team’s new offensive line coach to replace former offensive line coach Thomas Austin.

Luke is now with the team and working as the Tigers prepare for their Gator Bowl matchup against Kentucky. With a new coach, offensive tackle Blake Miller met with the media Tuesday and discussed the change in leadership.

“There’s nothing I can do about it and all I can do is give him my all every day and do the best that I can and try to be the best player that I can. It’s a business at the end of the day, and whatever coach Swinney does, I’m going to roll with,” Miller said.

Things change fast in sports, but Luke is a coach who is built for a job like this. With over 20 years of experience as an offensive line coach, co-offensive coordinator, and head coach, he’s experienced and prepared. Miller shared some of what he’s seen from Luke early in his time back with the program.

“He’s a very high-energy guy. I think he really brings the energy to practice, and it’s infectious with everyone. I think everyone’s flying around and doing great out there, and there’s some new techniques to learn… he’s told us, he wants us to go 100%, and we can work on the technique after, and we can go ever it in film so I really enjoy it,” Miller said

We’re hoping for big things from Luke as the Tigers’ new offensive line coach.

Matt Luke on joining Clemson: “A chance to be a part of a great program and do something special’

One of Clemson’s newest coaches, Matt Luke, shared thoughts on joining Dabo Swinney’s staff at Clemson.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program made an excellent move, bringing in Matt Luke as the team’s new offensive line coach. Luke met with the media for the first time on Tuesday as the Tigers prepare for their Gator Bowl matchup against Kentucky.

Luke is an experienced coach with over 20 years of experience as an offensive line coach, co-offensive coordinator, and head coach. Luke’s most recent work came with Georgia as their offensive line coach and associate head coach from 2020-2021. Before that, Luke spent three seasons as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels.

Now, with the Tigers, Luke shared a bit of why he joined Swinney’s staff.

“I had always had unbelievable respect for the type of program that (Dabo) ran and just from the outside looking in the family and the the faith and all all those things,” Luke said. “It all just kind of came together with the right timing and just a chance to be a part of a great program and do something special.”

A chance to do something special is what you want to hear from a coach, and there is no doubt that Luke will do his part in making this program even better.

Social media reacts: Clemson hires two new assistant coaches

Dabo Swinney added some strong veteran presences to the Clemson coaching staff.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program took a big step in the right direction over the weekend, announcing the hiring of two new assistant coaches to the program.

These hires are Matt Luke as Clemson’s new offensive line coach and Chris Rumph as the new defensive ends coach, moves this program needed to make. Both coaches add great experience to the program and are very capable of recruiting top talent.

Swinney is proving that he is willing to make the moves necessary to better Clemson, and it definitely has people talking. Here is a look at how Twitter/X reacted to the Tigers’ hiring of Luke and Rumph.