This big 3-star offensive tackle steps away from Gators commitment

The Gators lost one of their commitments in the 2023 cycle but it’s not the end of the world.

In an announcement posted on his Twitter account on Friday evening, three-star offensive tackle [autotag]Tommy Kinsler[/autotag] made known his decision to decommit from the Florida Gators. Kinsler committed to the Gators on June 19, but that pledge lasted only twelve days. This development is a frankly unexpected one, he’s been considered all but a lock to play for the Orange and Blue since this recruiting cycle started.

An Ocala native, Kinsler is well within Gator country. However, it looks like another Florida-based team is trying to stick their grubby paws into the area that should be Billy Napier’s home base of recruiting. Kinsler’s decommitment is coming hot on the heels of his official visit with Mario Cristobal’s Miami team. Then, immediately after dropping the news that he was stepping back from Florida, four 247Sports experts added crystal ball predictions in favor of the ‘Canes.

“Dear Gator Nation,” wrote Kinsler, “after days of deep thought and prayer, I have decided to decommit from the University of Florida. This was a very hard decision for me and my family. I would like to thank the entire Florida Gators coaching staff for the time, effort, and energy they put into recruiting me. Please respect this decision.”

There are two ways to look at this. The first is to shrug and point out that Kinsler is replaceable. He’s big, but so are a lot of other linemen in the country. His three-star rating reflects a possible SEC contributor, but a name-brand school like Florida can put a hard press on just about any three-star recruit and have a good chance at getting them.

On the other hand, it’s alarming that offensive line coaches [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] and [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag], who had such immense success with the Ragin’ Cajuns couldn’t get complete buy-in on their system from a hometown recruit they’ve been on since day one.

Here’s hoping a commitment from [autotag]Monroe Freeling[/autotag], [autotag]Francis Mauigoa[/autotag], or [autotag]Payton Kirkland[/autotag] is right around the corner.

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This top offensive tackle prospect feeling a lot of love for Florida

This big-time offensive tackle expects the Gators to make the cut for his top schools.

Florida football’s busy month reached a feverish pitch this past weekend with [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co. rolling out the red carpet for a handful of top recruits from around the state and the nation. The new administration has made a profound impression upon many of those who have passed through Gainesville recently, including four-star offensive tackle [autotag]Monroe Freeling[/autotag] out of Mount Pleasant (South Carolina) Oceanside Collegiate Academy, who recently wrapped up his official visit to campus.

The 6-foot-7-inch, 283-pound lineman had made a prior stop with the Gators back in March during the spring practice season but got a much closer look at the rebuilding program this time around.

“My first look out here was pretty quick, it was during the spring practice so everyone was doing stuff,” Freeling explained to AllGators’ Zach Goodall. “I got to see practice but all of the players were really new, so it was really just seeing the players kind of adjust, and in a way, kind of struggle with the intensity of practice. I know I really liked the intensity of practice because if you have an intense practice, that means your games are gonna be easy.”

“I think this time around I really got to get a feel of Florida’s campus and more like the football program and where it’s heading,” he told Swamp247’s Blake Alderman. “I think that was my biggest takeaway. I just enjoyed time with the players. The players and coaches [communicated where the program is heading], I think that Coach Napier really has a good outlook on where he wants the program to go. Every coach I talked to said the same thing how Coach Napier wants to take the program somewhere.”

The blue-chip offensive lineman’s recruitment has been spearheaded by offensive line coaches [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag] and [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag], with whom he has forged strong relationships according to Swamp247.

“It’s kind of funny because I have relationships with two different coaches, but they are doing the same job really. I really like Coach Sale and his resume and Coach Stapleton too. They are good guys. Over the summer I am going to be growing my relationship with them a lot more because I really do like Florida. I think they are telling me how they have five guys on staff that all work with offensive line. It helps you get ready and efficiency-wise. You get more coaches and you get two perspectives.”

Freeling has already spent two of his five official visits on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish who he visited earlier in June, as well as on Florida, with a trip to Coral Gables to see the Miami Hurricanes coming up next weekend. He plans on saving his final two visits for the fall season with the Clemson Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs all possibilities; he also plans on making an unofficial return visit to the Swamp to see a game.

Freeling is currently ranked No. 62 overall and No. 8 nationally at his position according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 63 and 6, respectively. Clemson is currently in the lead for his talents with a 46.3% chance of signing him while Notre Dame sits in second at 38%.

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Gators to get official visit from this top-100 OT this month

The Gators are getting one of the top 100 prep prospects in the 2023 recruiting class in this big-time offensive lineman.

June has been a hopping month for Florida football recruiting as [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff continue to welcome the top prep prospects from around the country to the Swamp in an effort to restore glory to the Orange and Blue. Among the many making the journey to Gainesville this month is four-star offensive tackle [autotag]Monroe Freeling[/autotag] out of Mount Pleasant (South Carolina) Oceanside Collegiate.

The 6-foot-7-inch, 283-pound behemoth recently announced his official visit date with the Gators, which is scheduled for the weekend of June 17. His stop in north Florida will be sandwiched between a visit to see the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this coming weekend and the Miami Hurricanes on the weekend following Florida. He also made a previous stop in Athens to meet with the Georgia Bulldogs in late May for an unofficial visit.

Freeling currently ranks No. 62 overall and No. 8 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus has him at Nos. 63 and 6, respectively. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has the Clemson Tigers on top with a 48% chance of landing him with Notre Dame in a close second at 35.7%.

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The latest on Monroe Freeling

If you follow Clemson football recruiting closely, you’re likely privy to just how big of a target Oceanside Collegiate Academy’s Monroe Freeling is for Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class. Literally and figuratively. Freeling – a 6-foot-7, 290-pound …

If you follow Clemson football recruiting closely, you’re likely privy to just how big of a target Oceanside Collegiate Academy’s Monroe Freeling is for Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class.

Literally and figuratively.

Freeling — a 6-foot-7, 290-pound four-star offensive lineman — recently tapped into his recruitment after quietly shutting things down during finals week.

Speaking with The Clemson Insider last Thursday, Freeling confirmed that he’s currently focused on his top seven schools: Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan.

While Clemson’s official visit weekend is set to take place later this week, Freeling won’t be among the attendees. That doesn’t mean that Clemson isn’t still recruiting Freeling like he’s a priority, rather, it just so happens that this weekend is his parents’ wedding anniversary.

Freeling has scheduled two official visits this summer to Notre Dame and Miami, both of which will take place sometime this month. While Freeling won’t be at Clemson this weekend, he didn’t rule out making an unofficial visit to Tiger Town sometime this summer.

“I’ve also been up there so many times, it also just felt like I really could just do an in-season official visit,” he said. “It’d feel like it’d make a lot more sense, but it’s still undecided.”

Freeling all but guaranteed that he would eventually make Clemson one of his five official visits. What it really comes down to for him and his family, is being able to get everyone up to Clemson at the same time.

Most of the schools that Freeling has been talking to have had a lot of changes on their staff. There’s not an exact timetable for a decision, but there’s a chance that Freeling would like to see how things progress under a new assistant coach.

Take Clemson’s offensive line, Thomas Austin, for example.

“It’s kind of been a steady relationship,” Freeling said. “I was talking a lot more to Coach Austin from the jump than I was talking to Coach (Robbie) Caldwell. I think that definitely helped…the relationship’s still there, I think it’s just a matter of seeing Coach Austin — I might go up to a camp or something and try to see more of what his coaching’s like. That’s all I can really say.”

The Insider Report: Additional visitors to note, latest on priority OL target & more

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend. Another 5-star QB will be on campus this week After revealing some names in our Monday morning preview of Day 1 of the Dabo Swinney Camp come Wednesday, …

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

We hope everyone had a great weekend.

Another 5-star QB will be on campus this week

After revealing some names in our Monday morning preview of Day 1 of the Dabo Swinney Camp come Wednesday, June, 1, we’re ready to disclose another five-star visitor in Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) 2024 QB Jadyn Davis.

After speaking with multiple sources this past weekend and leading into Monday morning, The Clemson Insider has learned that Davis will be visiting and camping at Clemson Wednesday, along with his teammates — 2024 four-star WR Channing Goodwin and 2024 three-star safety Brody Barnhardt.

TCI spoke with Davis at the Elite 11 Regional in Atlanta at Carrollton High School, back on Sunday, April 3. It was then that Davis recapped his latest visit to Clemson, which took place on Saturday, March 12. It was his first time back on campus, since he was in attendance for Clemson’s 48-27 win over Wake Forest on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.

“It was great,” Davis said, “just always talking to Coach (Brandon) Streeter. He didn’t leave my side one bit. I got to go there with my new high school head coach (Chad Grier). Me and D.J. (Uiagalelei) have a really good relationship, so seeing him again, just always building chemistry and connection with the guys and just building a relationship with the coaches.”

Davis had a pretty in-depth conversation with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney while he was back on campus. According to Davis, Swinney was just telling him about Clemson’s recruiting philosophy.

“I know they offered Sammy (Brown) in my class (2024), which is pretty rare, so that shows you how good of a player he is,” Davis said. “Just to come back for the summer, hang out and we’ll have some good news.”

Davis wouldn’t go as far as to say that he’s expecting an offer once he’s back on campus. Rather, he’s learned to temper his expectations when it comes to recruiting. Though, he made sure to reiterate that he’s really interested in Clemson and knows that Swinney and staff are very interested in him.

Previewing Day 2 of Swinney Camp

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s annual summer camp is set to kick off with the first one-day camp this Wednesday, June 1, with another one-day camp to follow on June 2 and then a three-day camp from June 10-12.

With the Swinney Camp about to get underway, The Clemson Insider gives a preview of the first day of camp and some of the prospects planning to make their way to Tiger Town to compete during Thursday’s second session:

One of the headliners, who confirmed their visit to TCI this past weekend and again on Monday is Willis (Texas) five-star DJ Lagway, the No. 4 ranked quarterback for the 2024 class, per 247Sports, which tabs him as the No. 18 overall prospect in his class regardless of position.

When we spoke with Lagway earlier this month, he indicated that a scholarship offer from Clemson could come when he visits campus in June. He’s had those conversations about a potential offer dating back to when he visited in April.

“That was a conversation we had from the very beginning since I got there when I got down there on campus when I went to Coach Swinney’s house,” Lagway said. “It’s just the way they run things, they just want to keep the process smooth and keep the way they’ve been doing things.”

“That would be huge,” he continued. “That would be a blessing to have an offer from Clemson and all that good stuff. It would change a lot with my top five.”

In addition to Clemson, Lagway is looking to visit Oklahoma, Oregon and probably Alabama.

“I’m just trying to go see all the out-of-state schools that I’m interested in,” Lagway said, “just to give them a chance as well. Because, I’m really open to anything and everything, just to see where I feel like I’m at home and where I’m most comfortable.”

Other top prospects who will join Lagway in competing at the Swinney Camp on June 2 – to name some – are North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.) three-star defensive back Khalil Barnes, Moody (Alabama) three-star wide receiver Davion Dozier, Carrollwood Day School (Tampa, Fla.) four-star DB Tavoy Feagin, St. Joseph’s Prep School (Philadelphia, Pa.) four-star cornerback Omilio Agard and Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) four-star CB Kaleb Beasley

Agard — the nation’s No. 6 cornerback in the 2024 class, per 247Sports — has been in contact with Clemson cornerbacks coach Mike Reed for the past nine months, as he works to earn an offer from the Tigers, which he told TCI would “show his worth to Clemson.”

“Their process is different and I really appreciate that process, because if you get that offer, it’s like you’ve been building a relationship and it’s very genuine and the coaches believe that you will be a big part of the team,” Agard said. “So, to get that offer is amazing because it just shows how great of a person you are in and out. It just shows that they’re very genuine.”

Beasley told us that he hadn’t locked in a visit to Clemson just yet, but also indicated that he “might” go on June 2.

Additionally, we originally reported that Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 2024 four-star tight end Kylan Fox would be on campus come this Thursday, but have since learned that he will be at the University of Georgia instead. That doesn’t mean a visit to Clemson isn’t in the cards; Fox was invited to camp by tight ends coach Kyle Richardson and may just reschedule a visit any time between June 10-12.

Following is a list of prospects TCI has confirmed as expected participants in the second session of the Swinney Camp on Thursday, June 2. Of course, this is not a full list of campers but rather some of the notable names planning to be there, and as always, these lists are fluid and subject to change.

Class of 2023

East Lincoln (Denver, N.C.) 3-star LB Ben Cutter

North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.) 3-star DB Khalil Barnes

Moody (Alabama) 3-star WR Davion Dozier

North Cobb Christian School (Kennesaw, Ga.) OL Gabriel Fortson

Northside High (Warner Robins, Ga.) OL Kyle Mixon

Milford Mill Academy (Baltimore, MD.) ATH Sean Williams

Greenville (S.C.) WR Tyler Brown

Class of 2024

Willis (Texas) 5-star QB DJ Lagway

St. Joseph’s Prep School (Philadelphia, Pa.) 4-star CB Omilio Agard

Carrollwood Day School (Tampa, Fla.) 4-star DB Tavoy Feagin

Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) 4-star CB Kaleb Beasley

Webb School of Knoxville (Tenn.) 4-star ATH Markeis Barrett

Schley County (Ellaville, Ga.) 4-star WR Jalewis Solomon

Charlotte (N.C) Catholic 4-star TE Jack Larsen

Charlotte (N.C.) Christian School RB Ryan Henley

Millbrook (N.C.) QB Mason Fortune

Daniel (S.C.) QB Zachary Pickelsimer

Greenville (S.C.) TE Mac McLean

Johns Creek (Ga.) WR Kyle Vaka

Class of 2025

IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) WR Winston Watkins, Jr.

Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.) WR Jaime Ffrench

Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) OL Cortez Smith

The latest on Monroe Freeling

TCI checked in one of Clemson’s primary offensive line targets in the class of 2023.

Monroe Freeling — a priority offensive line target out of Mt. Pleasant’s Oceanside Collegiate Academy — quietly shut down his recruitment during finals, as he wanted to focus on his end-of-year exams and not have to worry about juggling the two. 

He has since tapped back into things and said that he’s focused on his top seven schools: Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan.

Freeling has scheduled two official visits this summer to Notre Dame and Miami. He told us that he can’t go to Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5 because it falls during his parent’s anniversary.

Though, he didn’t rule out making an unofficial visit to Clemson this summer. 

“I’ve also been up there so many times, it also just felt like I really could just do an in-season official visit,” he said. “It’d feel like it’d make a lot more sense, but it’s still undecided.”

Freeling all but guaranteed that he would eventually make an official visit to Clemson. What it really comes down to for him and his family, is being able to get everyone up to Tiger Town at the same time.

“It’s kind of been a steady relationship,” Freeling said. “I was talking a lot more to Coach (Thomas) Austin from the jump than I was talking to Coach (Robbie) Caldwell. I think that definitely helped…the relationship’s still there, I think it’s just a matter of seeing Coach Austin — I might go up to a camp or something and try to see more of what his coaching’s like. That’s all I can really say.”

Clemson in good position with 4-star Florida LB

This past weekend, TCI caught up with Navarre (Fla.) 2024 four-star linebacker Zavier Hamilton. As it stands right now, we believe Hamilton to be a prime candidate to earn an offer in the coming weeks.

“They just want to get me up there as soon as possible, pretty much,” Hamilton said. “They still love me. They love how personal I am. I’ve been talking to them pretty much every week, every Friday. It’s just been great building that relationship and they just want to see me come up there to camp and I could see an offer that day.”

Hamilton will be back at Clemson on June 10.

What would a potential offer from Clemson mean for Hamilton and his recruitment?

“That’d be huge,” he said. “Clemson would be in my top three. I love everything about them. I love their culture. It would mean even more to me if I could get that offer in-person because I like establishing relationships before I get the offer.”

As far as the remainder of Hamilton’s recruitment is concerned, he has some top schools in mind. He mentioned to us that Notre Dame, Clemson and Virginia Tech are among his top contenders, and in addition to his Clemson visit, he’ll be in South Bend this weekend from June 3-5.

Surprisingly, Hamilton, a rising junior, told us that he will “definitely” be making a decision before the season. There are a few places that he would already consider home, but Hamilton wants to use this summer to evaluate some top options.

While Hamilton was only focusing on schools that have already offered him a scholarship, there’s something different about Clemson. He’ll gladly camp there in two weeks and have the opportunity to not only workout with Wesley Goodwin, but earn a scholarship offer from the Tigers.

Georgia among top schools for South Carolina’s top recruit

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top schools for 4-star OT Monroe Freeling.

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top schools for the highest-ranked recruit in South Carolina. Monroe Freeling is a tall, lengthy four-star offensive tackle from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is just outside of Charleston.

Freeling plays high school football for Oceanside Collegiate Academy. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle recruit is a member of the class of 2023. Freeling is a key in-state target for both Clemson and South Carolina.

The four-star offensive tackle considers his top seven schools to be Clemson, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, Notre Dame, and Florida. Monroe Freeling is the No. 10 offensive tackle prospect in the class of 2023 and is rated as the No. 80 recruit.

Monroe Freeling will continue adding to his significant frame before he looks to play college football in 2023. Freeling has taken recent visits to Miami, Clemson, Georgia, UNC, and Notre Dame.

The highly-touted offensive tackle also plays basketball. He shows great athleticism, mobility, and footwork for someone of his size. Check out a few of his dunks and a ferocious block from one game during the 2021-2022 high school basketball season:

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The Oceanside Collegiate Academy standout named his top seven schools via Twitter:

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Clemson making strides in 2023 recruiting class

Check out where Clemson lands in the latest 2023 recruiting rankings.

In a sport that depends heavily on gaining highly-rated high school recruits, Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class has begun to take form over the past few months, adding four commitments and climbing up the rankings.

Here’s what Craig Haubert of ESPN had to say about the Tigers’ 2023 class, which ESPN ranks 19th in the country.

ESPN 300 commits: 3 Previous ranking: unranked 

ACC rank: 3 of 14

Top offensive commit: QB Christopher Vizzina (No. 79)

Top defensive commit: DE David Ojiegbe (No. 246)

Trevor Lawrence set a high bar, and replacing him is not easy, but the Tigers continue to add talented options under center. They signed the No. 2 overall quarterback in the 2022 cycle in Cade Klubnik and now landed ESPN 300 signal-caller Vizzina, a strong-armed, accurate and poised passer. Nathaniel Joseph has the tools to be a dangerous weapon, as the diminutive target is an explosive and shifty player who can win footraces and make defenders miss.

With Vizzina, Joseph, Ojiegbe and three-star tight end Reid Mikeska verbally committing, the Tigers hope to add more highly-touted recruits in the coming months. Some names to watch out for are four-star wide receiver Tyler Williams, four-star offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and four-star linebacker Tony Rojas, among others.

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Clemson in top seven for this priority 2023 offensive line target

Offensive line target puts Clemson in his top seven

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have been actively recruiting in the 2023 class as they land in another priority targets top group.

Four-star South Carolina product Monroe Freeling out of Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mt. Pleasant, SC) announced on Instagram Friday that he will be choosing between seven schools. Clemson is among the group that includes Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Florida.

Offensive line has been a clear target for Clemson in this 2023 class as they look to secure stable protection for their quarterbacks of the future. According to 247 sports composite rankings, Freeling is the top recruit out of South Carolina, the No. 80 player nationally and the No.10 ranked offensive tackle in the class.

After the troubles they had up front last season, the more help the better for Clemson. Seeing the team prioritize these offensive line recruits is a good sign.

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Clemson makes the cut for priority offensive line target

One of Clemson’s top offensive line targets in the class of 2023 released his top seven schools via social media Friday evening. Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) four-star Monroe Freeling is down to Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre …

One of Clemson’s top offensive line targets in the class of 2023 released his top seven schools via social media Friday evening.

Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) four-star Monroe Freeling is down to Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan.

Freeling made his way to campus for Clemson’s second junior day of the year on Saturday, March 5.

“It was my first time up there since Coach (Tony) Elliott left and the whole coaching staff change,” he said. “From a first-day-of-practice standpoint, that was my first actual practice, so it was hard for me to take a look and see where they’ve come. I like the environment that’s being created at the moment and seeing Coach (Thomas) Austin coach is pretty cool.”

What did he hear from Clemson’s coaching staff while he was back on campus?

“They kind of just treated me like I’ve been there,” Freeling said. “It was really just catching up and feeling like I was back up there once again like it was no big deal.”

Every time he hears from Clemson, the Tigers always make sure to reinforce that he’s a priority for them in this recruiting class.

Freeling currently ranks as the No. 10 offensive tackle and the nation’s No. 80 overall prospect in the class of 2023, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

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The Insider Report: Latest on multiple receiver targets, official visitors & more

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend. More official visitors on tap Over the weekend, The Clemson Insider was able to confirm two more official visitors for the weekend of June 3-5. Westlake …

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend.

More official visitors on tap

Over the weekend, The Clemson Insider was able to confirm two more official visitors for the weekend of June 3-5.

Westlake (Texas) four-star edge rusher Colton Vasek and Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge, Mass.) four-star athlete Ronan Hanafin both confirmed their plans to officially visit Clemson via text messages with TCI.

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

“When I got offered, it meant a lot,” Vasek said. “Coach Swinney, they don’t offer a ton of people. They offer the fewest number of people in college football. It takes a lot more than being a good football player to be able to play there and for them to offer me, it really meant a lot.”

Where does Clemson currently stand in his recruitment?

Vasek indicated that the Tigers are definitely up there. He referenced how 247Sports’ recruiting services sometimes have certain programs on a prospect’s list of schools listed as “warm” and that’s pretty much how Clemson is with him. Vasek already can’t wait to get 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 said.

As for Hanafin, he would make his way to campus over two weeks later. He had been in contact with Clemson wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham prior to his visit and left feeling like he was a part of the Clemson family.

Clemson wants Hanafin to continue to be a part of the family, as the Tigers presented him with a scholarship offer. After practice, he and his family got back to the facilities and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney invited Hanafin into his office.

“We had a great conversation,” he said, “and at the end, he wanted to make it clear how few players they offer. He thought I was a great fit for the program, so he offered me a scholarship.”

5-star pass-rusher planning to visit this summer

TCI recently checked in on Platte County (Platte City, Mo.) five-star edge rusher Chandavian Bradley, who told us that he’s still planning out his summer visits, but is aiming to visit Clemson during the first week of June.

There is certainly mutual interest between Clemson and Bradley. That was especially true when he included the Tigers in his top-10 schools, even without an offer.

Bradley has talked with defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall about a potential offer. He knows that Clemson will eventually present him with a scholarship offer, but first and foremost, they would like to get him on campus first. Bradley has been made aware of how the Tigers like to do things and understands through some of his recruiting contacts that they’re certainly a program that likes to offer in-person.

Bradley (6-6, 215) currently ranks as the No. 4 edge rusher and the nation’s No. 28 overall prospect for the class of 2023, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Clemson, Notre Dame battling for another O-lineman

As we reported in last week’s edition of The Insider Report, Notre Dame appears to be in prime position to land a commitment from one of Clemson’s offensive line targets in the 2023 class — South Point High School (Belmont, N.C.) four-star Sullivan Absher — following his extended stay at Notre Dame two weekends ago.

Clemson O-line target Sam Pendleton of Reagan High School (Pfafftown, N.C.) committed to Notre Dame last Monday, and there’s another O-lineman that both the Tigers and Fighting Irish have been heavily involved with – Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) four-star Monroe Freeling.

Freeling made his way to campus for Clemson’s second junior day of the year on Saturday, March 5, and he spent several days at Notre Dame two weeks ago in conjunction with its Blue-Gold Game.

Per a source, Freeling and Absher spent a lot of time together when they were both on campus at Notre Dame, and they went out to dinner with each other as well as Irish offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and offensive recruiting coordinator Dre Brown. Freeling and Absher saw each other at Clemson a few months ago as well and are building a bond with one another.

Hiestand has done a good job of recruiting Freeling, gaining his trust, and Notre Dame certainly helped itself with Freeling during his visit to South Bend.

Clemson was the perceived leader in the clubhouse for Freeling following his trip to Tiger Town in March. Did Notre Dame do enough to get back in the mix with his visit there?

“Yeah, for sure,” he said.

Elite Alabama WR looking to visit

TCI recently caught up with a top receiver prospect in the class of 2024, who has been drawing attention from Clemson and Tyler Grisham.

Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Ala.) four-star Mario Craver — a 5-foot-10, 160-pound sophomore in the class of 2024 — is planning to visit Tiger Town this summer. He’s not sure if he’ll camp at Clemson, but a visit is certainly in the cards.

“I’ve only been talking to Coach Grisham,” Craver said. “He told me that I was definitely an ‘offer guy,’ but Coach Swinney would like to build a relationship and he takes his recruiting really slowly because they’ve only offered (two) ’24s. He was like if he gets me on campus, it would be hard for Coach Swinney to deny.”

What would it mean for him to earn an offer from Clemson?

“It would be special,” he said, “Like I said, only (two) people in the country got ’em or in the world has it? Yeah, that would definitely be special.”

Craver currently ranks as the No. 30 wide receiver and the nation’s No. 172 prospect for the class of 2024, according to 247Sports.

Highly touted WR growing bond with Grisham, planning to camp this summer

We wanted to pass along the latest on another highly regarded wide receiver who remains firmly on Tyler Grisham’s recruiting radar.

Milton (Ga.) High School four-star Debron Gatling – the No. 10 wide receiver and a top-100 national prospect (No. 90 overall) in the 2024 class, per Rivals – continues to stay in touch and strengthen his relationship with Clemson’s receivers coach.

“Definitely,” Gatling told TCI when asked if his bond with Grisham is growing tighter. “I feel like I can just talk to him like he’s one of boys. We just have a real good conversation. Ain’t no nervousness or nothing like that.”

Gatling (6-2, 185) most recently visited Clemson on March 12, when he — and his mother — came away very impressed by the unofficial visit.

“My mom loved it,” Gatling said to TCI after the visit. “She said she really liked it, and she really liked Coach Swinney and Coach Grisham.”

Gatling participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp last summer and told TCI he plans to compete at the camp again this June in hopes of earning an offer from the Tigers. His loaded offer list currently features schools such as Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas, Miami, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon.

In addition to Clemson, Gatling’s offseason visits thus far have included UCF, Ole Miss, Miami, Alabama and Southern Cal. He’s looking to check out schools like Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Tennessee, Penn State and Florida this summer, along with getting back to Clemson and Alabama.

According to Gatling, Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee are a few of the schools coming after him the hardest right now, while Alabama has been keeping in contact with him even though the Crimson Tide haven’t yet offered, and he said Clemson is “definitely” up there as far as the schools showing the most interest although the Tigers haven’t yet offered either.

If Clemson comes into the mix with an offer moving forward, it will be a strong contender for Gatling’s services.

“They pull the trigger, I definitely think they’d be one of my top schools,” he said. “I definitely think they’d be one of my top schools if they pull the trigger.”

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