Tag: Olsen Patt Henry

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 commit scores prestigious invite

A future Clemson Tiger scored a prestigious invitation after putting his talent and skills on display at a showcase event this weekend. Clemson tight end commitment Olsen Patt Henry of First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) was invited to the 2023 …

A future Clemson Tiger scored a prestigious invitation after putting his talent and skills on display at a showcase event this weekend.

Clemson tight end commitment Olsen Patt Henry of First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) was invited to the 2023 All-American Bowl thanks to his standout showing this weekend at the Football University Top Gun Showcase in Naples.

The FBU Top Gun Showcase, which took place from Friday through Sunday, is an annual three-day national showcase highlighting the best FBU student-athletes in an intense position-specific test of technical skill and ability. The best FBU athletes from across the country competed for exclusive invitations to other events, like the All-American Bowl, the National Combine, FBU Freshman All-American Bowl and Futures Showcase.

Henry will now have the chance to play in the 2023 All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Long one of the nation’s premier high school sporting events, the All-American Bowl features the top 100 senior football players from across the country and is broadcast annually on NBC.

Henry committed to Clemson following his official visit from June 3-5, choosing the Tigers over other schools like Minnesota, Duke, Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

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

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.

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.

Sunshine State tight end places Clemson in top group

A tight end from the Sunshine State, who earned an offer from Clemson earlier this month, released his top schools on Monday evening. First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry – a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior in the class of …

A tight end from the Sunshine State, who earned an offer from Clemson earlier this month, released his top schools on Monday evening.

First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry — a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior in the class of 2023 — is down to Clemson, Minnesota, Duke, Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Henry’s offer came just a day after Bridgeland High School (Cypress, Texas) tight end Reid Mikeska announced his decommitment from Clemson’s 2023 class.

Henry spoke with The Clemson Insider recently about what he’s been hearing from the Tigers, as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson reached out to him last month.

“Coach Richardson, he’s very interested in me and really wants me to come up and see how they work their program,” Henry said. “He really thinks I can be a big impact on their offense. He said I have great ball skills and I can really go up and get the ball when needed.”

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.

Henry will be at Clemson’s official visit weekend from June 3-5 and has also set an official visit to Minnesota from June 17-19.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd6zUlLrr1p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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.

Clemson extends offer to Sunshine State tight end

A tight end from the Sunshine State reported an offer from Clemson on Friday evening via social media. First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry – a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior in the class of 2023 – announced the offer from …

A tight end from the Sunshine State reported an offer from Clemson on Friday evening via social media.

First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry — a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior in the class of 2023 — announced the offer from the Tigers on Twitter.

Henry’s offer comes a day after Bridgeland High School (Cypress, Texas) tight end Reid Mikeska announced his decommitment from Clemson’s 2023 class via social media Thursday night.

Henry spoke with The Clemson Insider recently about what he’s been hearing from the Tigers, as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson reached out to him last month.

“Coach Richardson, he’s very interested in me and really wants me to come up and see how they work their program,” Henry said. “He really thinks I can be a big impact on their offense. He said I have great ball skills and I can really go up and get the ball when needed.”

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.

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Richardson thinks this Florida TE can make a ‘big impact’ for Clemson

After securing the commitment of Bridgeland (Texas) four-star Reid Mikeska, it’s no secret that Clemson is still in the market for a tight end. In this week’s edition of The Insider Report , The Clemson Insider disclosed some new names at the tight …

After securing the commitment of Bridgeland (Texas) four-star Reid Mikeska, it’s no secret that Clemson is still in the market for a tight end.

In this week’s edition of The Insider Report, The Clemson Insider disclosed some new names at the tight end position that Clemson is currently pursuing, like First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry.

Henry — a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior in the class of 2023 — was able to give us an extensive breakdown of what he’s been hearing from the Tigers, as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson reached out to him last week.

“Coach Richardson, he’s very interested in me and really wants me to come up and see how they work their program,” Henry said. “He really thinks I can be a big impact on their offense. He said I have great ball skills and I can really go up and get the ball when needed.”

He describes himself as more of a receiving tight end, kind of like former University of Florida standout Kyle Pitts in a way.

What did it mean for Henry to hear from a school like Clemson?

“It’s just a very God-blessing process,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy hearing from Clemson, like a big school like that, seeing me as a great player and them seeing me as someone who can be impactful to their school. It’s just a blessing because Clemson’s a very great program and a school like that telling a kid how great they are and really how good skills there are and can be impactful to their team, it’s just a blessing.”

As previously mentioned, Clemson is pursuing another tight end in this class.

According to Henry, Richardson indicated that at first, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told him that he was only allowed to get one tight end in the class of 2023. The Tigers have since adapted their thinking and seem to be under the belief that Davis Allen will be declaring for the draft following the 2022 season.

“So, Coach Swinney wants him to pick two tight ends in the class of 2023,” Henry said. “They already have one locked in (Reid Mikeska), but they need one more.”

That could be Henry.

Henry hasn’t discussed an offer with Richardson, but he said he believes in his heart that it will come. We know that Clemson likes to get prospects on campus at least once before pulling the trigger on an offer, so Henry said that he will be making his way up to Tiger Town sometime this summer.

“It would mean a lot,” Henry said regarding a potential offer from Clemson. “I would just thank God and see how Jesus moves in a way. It would just be a very blessing offer and a very potentially be ranked as one of my top offers.”

As far as his recruitment is concerned, Henry is just trying to enjoy the process. He understands that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and he’s trying to soak in everything while he still can.

Henry figures that he won’t make a decision until after the completion of his senior season because he’s unsure of what school fits him best at the current moment. That will also enable him to take some gameday visits to various schools throughout the country.

While all schools are on an even playing field for him right now, Henry mentions Rutgers, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisville and Oklahoma as the schools recruiting him the hardest right now.

— Photo for this article courtesy of Olsen Patt Henry.

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The Insider Report: Latest on multiple safety targets, Clemson’s search for second TE & more

It’s time for this week’s edition of The Insider Report. We hope everyone had a great weekend. The latest on multiple safety targets While Clemson is no longer in the running for Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) three-star safety Bryce Thornton, who …

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

We hope everyone had a great weekend.

The latest on multiple safety targets

While Clemson is no longer in the running for Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) three-star safety Bryce Thornton, who announced a top five Sunday that included Alabama, LSU, Miami, Georgia and Florida, The Clemson Insider has multiple updates to pass along regarding two of Clemson’s safety targets.

Of course, DaKaari Nelson dropped his final six schools on Monday, which obviously included Clemson, but we’ve long maintained that the four-star safety out of Selma (Ala.) remains a top priority for the Tigers, along with Thornton’s teammate at Milton — three-star Robert Billings.

We wanted to pass along the latest information we’ve received on two more safeties in the class of 2023 — Sumner High School (Riverview, Fla.) three-star Kylen Webb and AC Reynolds (Asheville, N.C.) three-star DaShawn Stone.

Webb has been checking in with Clemson co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Mickey Conn, who he says he’s been in contact with at least two times a week. They were on the phone this past week and talked about getting Webb up for an official visit to Clemson from June 3-5.

“Ever since I came up to visit, I feel like me and him’s relationship got stronger,” Webb said. “We’ve started to talk more and form a bond really. We’ve started to talk really about life outside of football, as well as football. He’s talked about coming to my school to also see me in person again. So, our relationship has gotten up to Clemson and received the offer.”

Conn and Wesley Goodwin will eventually make their way to Sumner High School in the coming weeks. That reinforces to Webb that he’s a priority to him.

“It really shows me that they’re really interested and heavy on me,” he said, “and that they’re coming down to see me as well, coming down from Clemson. It’s getting my faith and shows that they want me and they really care about me.”

Webb 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.

With that being said, what are some of the more important factors that Webb is looking for in a school at the next level?

“A school that embraces me right away and that has plans for me to have an impact my freshman year as a true freshman,” he said. “Which, Clemson says they have plans for me. What I’m really looking for at the next level is a place that I can call home and that really develops guys as an athlete all four years and get a good education.”

While Stone doesn’t have an offer from Clesmon like Webb does, that hasn’t stopped the Tigers from pursuing the North Carolina-based safety.

“Coach Conn, he said he really likes me,” Stone said. “They just want to get me up to a camp and evaluate me more.”

Conn stopped by AC Reynolds last week, which shows Stone that Clemson is not only interested in him, but the Tigers are also prioritizing him as a prospect. Right now, it’s a matter of them evaluating Stone a bit more in one-on-one situations, like the Dabo Swinney Camp this summer.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “It would mean everything because Clemson’s like a big school and everything. It’s just exciting.”

Stone has recently seen his recruitment pick up as he’s added offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Liberty and Coastal Carolina. He feels like it’s a testament to the hard work he’s putting in.

An update on Clemson’s search for a second TE in the 2023 class

After securing the commitment of Bridgeland (Texas) four-star Reid Mikeska, it’s no secret that Clemson is still in the market for a tight end. TCI has learned that Clemson has recently been in contact with guys like First Baptist Academy (Naples, Fla.) three-star Olsen Patt Henry, The Loomis Chaffee School (Culver, Ind.) three-star Jackson Culver and Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.) three-star Camp Magee.

We spoke with Henry on Monday, as well as exchanged messages with both Carver and Magee. Though, it was Henry who was able to give us the most extensive breakdown of what he’s been hearing from the Tigers, as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson reached out to him last week.

“Coach Richardson, he’s very interested in me and really wants me to come up and see how they work their program,” Henry said. “He really thinks I can be a big impact on their offense. He said I have great ball skills and I can really go up and get the ball when needed.”

What did it mean for Henry to hear from a school like Clemson?

“It’s just a very God-blessing process,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy hearing from Clemson, like a big school like that seeing me as a great player and them seeing me as someone who can be impactful to their school. It’s just a blessing because Clemson’s a very great program and a school like that telling a kid how great they are and really how good skills there are and can be impactful to their team, it’s just a blessing.”

Henry hasn’t discussed an offer with Richardson, but he said he believes in his heart that it will come. We know that Clemson likes to get prospects on campus at least once before pulling the trigger on an offer, so Henry said that he will be making his way up to Tiger Town sometime this summer.

We spoke with Magee on the phone after this week’s edition of The Insider Report was completed. We will have more on the three-star tight end out of Florida’s Edgewater High School at a later day.

Update on 2023 Clemson OL target

We wanted to pass along a quick update on another Clemson offensive line target that appears bound for another school.

Clemson has been a prime contender for South Point (Belmont, N.C.) four-star tackle Sullivan Absher, who named the Tigers one of his final three schools on April 1, along with NC State and Notre Dame.

Absher (6-7, 300) received an offer from Clemson in February, attended the Tigers’ second junior day of the year in early March and returned to campus for the April 9 spring game. He also visited Death Valley for the Boston College and Wake Forest games last season.

While there was some momentum that picked up following Absher’s visit to Clemson on April 9, some of that steam has now worn off after the big-time North Carolina lineman’s extended stay in Notre Dame over the weekend. Absher arrived in South Bend for Notre Dame’s spring game this past Thursday and wound up staying through Sunday.

After speaking with a source, the Irish now seem to be in a prime position to land Absher’s commitment. We won’t go as far to project Absher to Notre Dame, but it’s certainly pointing in that direction after the weekend’s events.

With Reagan (Pfafftown, N.C.) four-star Sam Pendleton announcing for Notre Dame on Monday, Absher could be the second offensive lineman that Clemson loses out on in this cycle to the Fighting Irish.

Absher is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 18 offensive tackle and No. 197 overall prospect in the 2023 class.

Strong mutual interest between Clemson, standout Alabama DE

There is strong mutual interest between Clemson and this standout defensive lineman from the Yellowhammer State.

Opelika (Ala.) 2025 defensive end Malik Autry told TCI recently that out of all the schools recruiting him, “Clemson probably shows me the most interest right now.”

Autry (6-6, 265) made his first unofficial visit this spring to Clemson. He was on campus in mid-March and told TCI that “it just felt like home” to him and “it just seemed like one big whole family.”

While on campus, Autry spent the most time with defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall, and the two have already developed a tight relationship. Autry’s hometown of Opelika is located less than 20 miles from where Hall grew up in Valley, Ala., and Hall has been consistently recruiting Autry for quite some time now.

Hall told Autry that he’s going to try to get to his school this spring, and Autry, who camped at Clemson last June, is looking to get back on campus again this summer.

Autry has early offers from Georgia and Louisville, and said an offer from Clemson in the future, should he receive one, is “definitely going to mean something big to me.”

Even without an offer from Clemson in hand right now, as the Tigers of course haven’t started offering 2025 recruits yet, they are nonetheless one of the teams standing out to Autry early in the recruiting process.

“Clemson’s probably number one,” he said. “Clemson, and Georgia.”

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Oklahoma Sooners offer 2023 tight-end Olsen Patt Henry out of Florida

Oklahoma Sooners offer 2023 tight end Olsen Patt Henry, out of Naples, Florida.

With a new evaluation period underway starting April 15th and the Spring game under 10 days away, the Sooners continue their pursuit of players for their 2023 class. Their pursuits have had them in the southeast a lot so it should come as no surprise that the Sooners’ latest offer comes from that part of the country.

The Oklahoma Sooners offered 2023 tight end prospect Olsen Patt Henry of Naples, Florida.

Henry is as much of an interesting case as one could find in recruiting as he’s not ranked on 247Sports at all but holds a three-star ranking on Rivals. However, lack of ranking isn’t the surprising part. It’s his offer list.

His offer list includes Duke, Boston College, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Ole Miss, Louisville, and Alabama. He only has 11 offers and until recently was being recruited by middle of the pack Power Five and Group of Five schools.

According to 247Sports, Alabama offered Henry within the last week and it seems that offer really changed things for the under-the-radar tight end.

With Joe Jon Finley extending the offer to Henry, it all but looks like the Sooners believe he projects as a tight end. He stands 6-foot-4 and is 210 lbs.

While there is limited information on Henry, it’s become obvious some major programs see him as a potential diamond in the rough, now that he’s garnering attention from Oklahoma and Alabama.

The Sooners currently have no tight ends committed for the class of 2023 but have sent out offers to Duce Robinson, one time Sooners commit turned Razorbacks [autotag]Luke Hasz[/autotag], Walker Lyons, Riley Williams, and Markus Dixon.

Olsen Patt Henry’s Recruiting Profile

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