Tag: Todd Bates

Tigers ‘showing a lot of love’ to 4-star North Carolina D-lineman

A highly regarded defensive lineman in the 2023 class has been feeling the love from Clemson. New Bern (N.C.) High School four-star defensive tackle Keith Sampson Jr. has camped at the Dabo Swinney Camp in the past and returned to campus for an …

A highly regarded defensive lineman in the 2023 class has been feeling the love from Clemson.

New Bern (N.C.) High School four-star defensive tackle Keith Sampson Jr. has camped at the Dabo Swinney Camp in the past and returned to campus for an unofficial visit in July.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior has a strong bond with Clemson defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall, while Sampson is starting to establish a relationship with defensive tackles coach Todd Bates as well.

“I’ve been talking a lot with Coach Lemanski Hall and Coach Bates,” Sampson told The Clemson Insider recently. “It’s a good building relationship with Coach Hall. I’m just still getting to know Coach Bates, but I feel like I have a really good relationship with Coach Hall because that’s who I am in contact with the most from Clemson.”

“I feel like they’re really good people,” Sampson added. “Coach Hall, Coach Bates, they’re really good people for sure. When I went to visit, it was just nothing but love from them.”

Sampson, who lists more than 15 scholarship offers, feels Clemson is among the schools involved in his recruitment that are showing the most interest at this point in his recruiting process despite the fact the Tigers haven’t offered him just yet.

“Definitely Ohio State and Alabama, South Carolina. Even though I don’t have an offer from Clemson, they’re showing a lot of love,” he said. “Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina. Those are like the main schools that are really showing a lot of love right now.”

What message are the Tigers conveying to Sampson at this stage of his recruitment?

“Just to keep working, don’t get satisfied,” he said. “Coach Hall says he really likes me because he sees that I’m still working. Even though I have all these offers and I get all this attention, he said I’m still able to work and I’m still able to be a leader and I’m trying to help guys in my community get offers as well.”

Academics are an important factor for Sampson as he goes through the process and evaluates different schools, and it was the academic side of things that stood out to him during his visit to Clemson this summer.

“I would definitely say like the academic portion of it, meeting with the academic advisors,” he said. “It was just a lot of things that I liked about it.”

Some of the other schools Sampson visited this summer include Ohio State, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. He plans to get back to Clemson for a game this season and is already lining up several other game-day visits as well.

“I plan to go see South Carolina and Georgia play (in Athens), South Carolina versus Clemson (in Columbia), Ohio State versus Penn State (in Columbus),” he said. “I’m going to an Alabama game, I just don’t know what Bama game I want to go to yet.”

Sampson said he is looking to make a commitment decision sometime before his senior season in 2022 or at some point during his senior season. As he continues to build upon his relationships with Hall and Bates, he hopes to see the Tigers come into the mix with an offer moving forward.

“It would mean a lot,” he said. “I would just still be trying to get to know the coaches a little bit more. Just overall, just trying to make the right decision for me.”

Sampson is ranked as a top-250 national prospect in the 2023 class by 247Sports (No. 171), ESPN (No. 182) and Rivals (No. 250). Rivals considers him the No. 10 defensive tackle in the country for his class.

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Clemson remains ‘high’ on elite Alabama defensive end’s list

Clemson continues to make this Alabama pass-rusher a priority in its pursuit of the Class of 2023. Gardendale (Ala.) High School 2023 defensive end Kelby Collins traveled to Clemson’s campus in June to compete at the Dabo Swinney Camp and has kept …

Clemson continues to make this Alabama pass-rusher a priority in its pursuit of the Class of 2023.

Gardendale (Ala.) High School 2023 defensive end Kelby Collins traveled to Clemson’s campus in June to compete at the Dabo Swinney Camp and has kept in contact with the Tigers and Todd Bates since his visit to The Valley.

He currently ranks as the No. 12 defensive linemen and No. 49 overall prospect regardless of position in the 2023 class per the 247Sports Composite. 

Collins (6-5, 257) holds multiple offers from premium Power 5 programs, including a coveted Clemson one. While it’s still early in his recruitment, Collins outlined to The Clemson Insider that in addition to Clemson, schools like Florida and Alabama and Georgia are also standing out in his recruitment.

TCI touched base with the talented pass-rusher, to get the latest on his recruitment and where Clemson currently stands. He also offered some updates on what he’s heard from Bates as of late.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Collins said when asked where he was at with his current recruitment. “As of right now (Clemson) is high on my list.

He’s kept in contact with Bates, Clemson’s defensive tackles coach, who he communicated with the other day. Bates was telling Collins about Clemson’s intrasquad scrimmage and wanted to check in on the Alabama pass-rusher.

Collins constituted his relationship with Bates as being “pretty good.”

In addition to Clemson, Collins is going to take a couple of visits during the regular season but reiterated that he’s going to continue to take the process slowly.

He’s looking forward to getting down to Tiger Town for a game this season. While he has one in mind, he has yet to officially set a date. 

This season, Collins is looking to get better at using his hands, while getting after the quarterback with relative consistency.

Additionally, Collins outlined out some more goals he’s looking to accomplish in 2021.

“Team-wise, we’re definitely looking to make it to states, someplace our school hasn’t been yet,” he said. “Personally, I’m just trying to get my sack numbers up.

As far as what Bates wants to see from the junior pass-rusher going forward, according to Collins, he just wants to see him focus on his goals.

What is Collins looking for in a school at the next level?

“The coaches. How the players feel about the coaches,” Collins said. “How my family feels about them. Just like education, all that.”

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Clemson ‘at the top’ for 5-star Peach State DL

Clemson continues to court a five-star defensive lineman from the Peach State who was on campus this summer and is a priority target for the Tigers in the 2023 class. Victor Burley of Warner Robins (Ga.) High School visited Clemson on June 10 to …

Clemson continues to court a five-star defensive lineman from the Peach State who was on campus this summer and is a priority target for the Tigers in the 2023 class.

Victor Burley of Warner Robins (Ga.) High School visited Clemson on June 10 to compete at the Dabo Swinney Camp after receiving an offer from the Tigers on June 1.

Defensive tackles coach Todd Bates is Burley’s primary recruiter for Clemson and remains in touch with the 6-foot-4, 265-pound rising junior, conveying a simple message to him as he goes through the recruiting process.

“Just find the perfect fit for yourself,” Burley told The Clemson Insider.

Burley and Bates are building a good bond. Burley sees Bates as a father figure and role model and enjoyed working with him at the Swinney Camp.

“As a football coach, just a great coach to be around,” Burley said. “Always pushes you to your best, always wants the best out of you.”

While on campus for the Swinney Camp, Burley had the chance to see what the school and football program has to offer and came away especially impressed by P.A.W. Journey and 5th Quarter, one of three subsets of the P.A.W. Journey program dedicated to fostering growth and development of the Tigers’ football players.

“Just how much they put into the players,” Burley said of what stood out to him at Clemson. “Especially when I saw the P.A.W. Journey, stuff like that, the 5th Quarter, that means a lot for me. They try to focus on outside of football, try to better you for outside of college.”

Burley plans to return to Clemson this fall for a gameday visit. He has never attended a game at Death Valley, so he looks forward to experiencing the environment in person.

“I’m very excited to witness it,” he said. “I’ve seen it on TV, I’ve seen the fans and student section. I’ve seen it all through TV, but I just want to go visit, see a game and see it for myself.”

Besides Clemson, Burley made visits to Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee in June. Right now, he is in no rush to render a college decision.

“I’m just taking the process slowly, but I’ve had in mind that I’m going to commit my senior year,” he said. “Probably later on after football season.”

Clemson is in a good spot with Burley, who is rated as a five-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite and ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2023 class regardless of position by 247Sports.

“To me, Clemson’s probably at the top,” Burley said when asked where the Tigers stand with him. “Knowing the stuff that they have had for the players, elite football program … I just love it.”

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Notebook: Day 3 observations from Clemson’s defense

Clemson returned to the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex on Monday for Day 3 of fall camp. The Tigers practiced in helmets and small shoulder pads and allowed the media to view six periods of practice for close to an hour. …

Clemson returned to the practice fields behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex on Monday for Day 3 of fall camp.

The Tigers practiced in helmets and small shoulder pads and allowed the media to view six periods of practice for close to an hour.

Here are The Clemson Insider’s observations of the Clemson defense from Monday’s practice.

  • A few defenders were limited in the practice due to injuries but there were no changes from previous days. DeMonte Capehart was still in yellow and was even limited during team calisthenics. Payton Page and Etinosa Reuben remained in green which allowed them to participate in individual drills without contact.
  • New York Mets hall of fame Darryl Strawberry attended Monday’s practice to observe the Tigers. Strawberry serves as a Christian speaker in his retirement from professional baseball.

Defensive Line

  • Justin Foster demonstrated his leadership on the team as he lead the team in “Tiger jacks” during the stretching period. He has also showed his leadership during individual drills on the defensive line.
  • Todd Bates continued to show several different combinations on the defensive line during the position group’s installation period during practice. The depth in the room continues to stand out during practice particularly at defensive end. K.J. Henry, Justin Mascoll, Xavier Thomas and Myles Murphy all repped with the first unit at end.
  • During all of the looks the group showed, two student-athletes unsurprisingly stood out as common denominators among the first group. Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee always took reps with the first team at defensive tackle.

Linebackers

  • Defensive coordinator Brent Venables tends to ride one particular linebacker harder during linebacker drills, his son Jake Venables. Jake was back to full capacity after wearing a green jersey on Friday and Saturday.
  • Sixth-year middle linebacker James Skalski’s passion and intensity set the tone throughout the position group’s individual periods. He continued to serve as a leader in the unit and run the first rep in every drill with Baylon Spector.
  • Barrett Carter looks like he belongs despite his status as a freshman  in an experienced room. He did receive a little extra coaching from Venables in the drills but received it well and was quick to correct any errors.
  • There was one funny moment during the individual period as Venables walked the backers through a drill where they practiced shedding blocks and fitting up on a running back. A manager served as the running back and carried a shield dummy. Venables noticed his linebackers hitting the shield lightly and said, “I don’t care who is carrying the back pick them up, explode through the ball carrier.” The next linebacker picked the manager three feet off the ground.

Secondary

  • Andrew Booth took all of the first reps at corner and continues to emerge as a leader amongst the cornerbacks.
  • Freshman corner Nate Wiggins looked much more comfortable at practice on Monday than when he first arrived this past weekend.
  • Sheridan Jones and Mario Goodrich received correction from cornerbacks coach Mike Reed during an open field tackling drill. Both responded well and were complimented by Reed on their next drill.
  • Nolan Turner and Landen Zanders stepped up first for all of the safety drills during practice.
  • Sophomore R.J. Mickens stepped out of the safety drills for a couple of minutes to have his ankle taped but did not seem to lose any momentum when he returned to practice.
  • Former Clemson player Elijah Turner is on staff as a graduate assistant and has a lot of responsibility with the nickel backs during practice. He took Trenton Simpson, Tyler Venables, Barrett Carter, Malcom Greene and Matthew Maloney to a different spot during the second period of individual drills to work on pass defense.
  • During that period Venables made a nice play on a ball and tipped it up to himself to pull down an interception.

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4-star Texas DL: ‘I really like Clemson’

Clemson played host last week to a four-star defensive line prospect from Texas. Fort Worth (Tex.) Nolan Catholic 2023 DL Kaleb James traveled to campus for an unofficial visit and saw all the Tigers have to offer. “I just enjoyed the people there,” …

Clemson played host last week to a four-star defensive line prospect from Texas.

Fort Worth (Tex.) Nolan Catholic 2023 DL Kaleb James traveled to campus for an unofficial visit and saw all the Tigers have to offer.

“I just enjoyed the people there,” James told The Clemson Insider. “They were all really friendly and they just seemed like really good people. The facilities were really nice, one of the best ones I’ve seen so far.”

Leading up to his unofficial visit, Clemson wanted James to make the trek out to Tiger Town since they’ve been recruiting him for a while.

“They kind of just been telling me that they’ve been looking at my film, that they like me as a player and they are different in the recruiting aspect,” he said. “They wait a little bit longer to offer. They wanted me to come up to Clemson to show that I have an interest in them as well so that we can grow that relationship closer.”

That means a lot to James because he really wants to grow a relationship with the people in the place he’ll be for the next four years. 

With that being said, what is James looking for in a school at the next level?

“I’m looking for a school with a good academic program, good academic guidance program, and also just a school that will develop me as a player to my fullest potential while I’m there for the full four years,” he said. “I’m looking for a team with a good culture, where I can look at the person next to me and know that they’re gonna do their job every day, day in and day out.”

Clemson certainly checks all the boxes there.

During his time at Clemson, James chatted with defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, but his main point of contact with the Tigers has been Jacob Maloney, a graduate assistant on Brent Venables’s defensive coaching staff.

“He’s the one who’s been recruiting me,” James said. “He’s the one who got me on campus, showed me around campus. I think he’s a really cool dude. He’s just trying to help me get to know the coaching staff better at Clemson and trying to get me into Clemson.”

James would love to get back for a game and make his way back up to Tiger Town this upcoming season.

“I really like Clemson,” he added. “I really enjoyed my visit. I’m just gonna keep my eye on Clemson and keep watching them grow as a team and develop.”

As far as his recruitment is concerned, James wants to put it aside this season. He wants to just play and not have to worry about it until after the season. 

James is looking to increase his stats from last year. He wants to have more tackles for loss, more quarterback pressures and record at least 15 sacks this season.

“I pride myself on the pass-rush, I think I’m a really good pass-rusher,” James said. “I’m also really good at run-stopping and things like that.”

James has heard multiple things from multiple coaches at the next level. Some say that they want the versatile defensive lineman to play inside, others want him to play the true edge and some say they want to keep him at the tackle position.

“I think it gives me an advantage almost because it gives other people on my team opportunities to come in the game at a different position or stay at their position and I can be at another position, beating up an offensive lineman, taking double teams,” he said regarding his versatility.

James thinks it’s really good that he can move around because it keeps opposing offenses on their toes and they won’t know where he may line up. He can start in one spot and shift to another before the ball is snapped and things of that nature.

That versatility will certainly play at the next level.

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There’s no avoiding great expectations for Clemson’s deep, talented defensive line

Lemanski Hall wasn’t about to put the cart before the horse. Asked during the football program’s local media day how long into the season he thought it would take for Clemson’s defensive line to be able to call itself Power Rangers 2.0, the Tigers’ …

Lemanski Hall wasn’t about to put the cart before the horse.

Asked during the football program’s local media day how long into the season he thought it would take for Clemson’s defensive line to be able to call itself Power Rangers 2.0, the Tigers’ defensive ends coach didn’t do much more than chuckle at the inquiry.

“They’ve got to get permission from those guys first to be able to do that,” Hall said.

Of course, the Power Rangers is an affectionate reference to one of the best defensive fronts to ever don the purple and orange. Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant wreaked havoc on opposing offenses during Clemson’s most recent national championship run in 2018. Headliners of a defense that finished top 5 nationally in points and yards allowed that season, all of them were drafted the following year, three of them within the first 17 picks.

But one thing this year’s group is embracing are the lofty expectations that have come with as much raw talent and perhaps even more depth up front than Clemson had three years ago. The combination of the two may be the best it’s been for the Tigers since, which has made comparisons between this version of Clemson’s defensive line and that one inevitable.

“We hear it often,” Hall said. “To me, the focus is there’s a high expectation with that group, and we’ve got to live up to that expectation. You can’t try to go out and do something you’re not comfortable doing. We’ve got to focus in on the little things and be who we are.”

Just how deep is Clemson up front heading into the new season? Not only are the Tigers returning all four starting linemen in coordinator Brent Venable’s defense, but Clemson has seven linemen that have started at least one game.

The majority of that depth is on the edges, where Clemson has starting-caliber defensive ends littered on its three-deep heading into fall camp. The Tigers got a boost there with Justin Foster’s decision to return for another season after he initially announced his retirement from football once he missed all of last season with a bout of COVID-19, bringing back with him 39 games worth of experience.

“I was leaping for joy because I know the type of young man this guy is,” said Todd Bates, who’s entering his fifth season coaching the Tigers’ interior defensive linemen. “He’s a rock-solid guy who’s going to be where he’s supposed to be and doing what he’s supposed to do. … We’re thrilled to have him back.”

Foster, an all-ACC honorable mention in 2019, and former five-star signee Myles Murphy are listed at the top of the depth chart for now, but Clemson has the “or” designation peppered throughout that position, a good indication of how the coaching staff feels about the caliber of players it has there. Xavier Thomas brings nine career sacks into his senior season, the most of anybody on the Tigers’ roster, while junior K.J. Henry is also back in the fold.

So is Justin Mascoll, who took advantage of some of the attrition at the position last season by posting 29 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in the first nine starts of his career. Hall mentioned the 6-foot-3, 255-pound junior as someone he expects to take a major step in his development as he works to become a more complete edge defender.

“I see Justin Mascoll just really taking off and having an awesome year doing the little things right,” Hall said. “I’m excited to see his progression as well.

“I don’t want to categorize him and put him as he’s just a run defender. He can rush the passer as well, but that’s where we’ve got to get better is in the pass rush with him. But physicality, man, just coming out of his hips on contact, that’s what you want. He does it better than anyone. Just need to get more consistent.”

Of course, the Tigers are counting on a natural step forward from youngsters like Murphy and defensive tackle Ben Bresee, who were among the most productive freshmen linemen in the country last season. Bresee, the nation’s No. 1 prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle, returns to anchor the interior of the line along with junior Tyler Davis, who started all seven games he played last season and has started 20 of the 22 he’s played in his career.

Murphy had a team-high 12 tackles for loss last season while Bresee was just as disruptive on the inside en route to ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Bresee flashed his quick-twitch playmaking ability by recording 6.5 tackles for loss. Four of those were sacks, which tied him for second-most on the team.

“You can’t have a much better year than he had as a freshman, but he has really been working hard and had a great spring,” Bates said of Bresee. “Really starting to take it to another level. That’s what we’ve challenged him on is to max out his abilities and to get better in the run game and not just focus on pass rush.”

With Bresee and Davis entrenched as Clemson’s top two interior linemen heading into camp, the stiffest competition will be for the third spot on the depth chart there. Ruke Orhorhoro, Tre Williams, Darnell Jeffries and Etinosa Reuben are just some of the interior linemen that have been in the program for at least a year, and true freshman Payton Page has worked himself into good enough shape to where he could potentially be a contributor this season.

Page, a mid-year enrollee, arrived on campus around 380 pounds. Since then, he’s lost more than 40 pounds, Bates said.

“It could be a number of guys,” Bates said, referencing the candidates to be the third defensive tackle. “We’re looking forward to camp. It’ll sort itself out.”

Clemson added two more blue-chip pieces to the mix in edge signees Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson, so the Tigers have no shortage of options up and down their defensive front. But the unit isn’t exactly overconfident heading into a new season.

The group took some lumps last season and ended it with a dud in Clemson’s 49-28 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals, allowing the Buckeyes to rack up a whopping 639 yards with more than 250 of those coming on the ground.

Bates said that performance served as a piece of humble pie that’s left a sour taste in the mouth of the collective group all offseason.

“Humble pie is the best kind of pie,” Bates said. “Sometimes you’ve got to get that chip back on your shoulder. Regardless of who tells you you’re great, you’ve got to come hungry every day, come humble every day to go out and work hard.”

As productive as some of the Tigers’ newcomers were up front last season, it was still baptism by fire for those going through their first season of college football. Bates said the biggest difference between last year and now is maturity for the unit as a whole. Everyone in line to be a significant contributor up front has experience and knows what to expect this time around.

And for a unit that, at least on paper, has the look of one of the nation’s best, expectations are about as high as they’ve ever been.

“We do have the luxury of some guys that have played a lot of football,” Hall said. “Now it’s just a matter of let’s utilize the depth that we have and get guys to play fast, play free and don’t think. Go out, execute and be productive.”

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Nation’s top prospect takes in Clemson visit

The nation’s top prospect in the Class of 2023 was on Clemson’s campus this weekend. Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton 2023 five-star defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton was in Tiger Town for an unofficial visit on Saturday. Overton (6-4, 265) is the nation’s …

The nation’s top prospect in the Class of 2023 was on Clemson’s campus this weekend.

Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton 2023 five-star defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton was in Tiger Town for an unofficial visit on Saturday.

Overton (6-4, 265) is the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for the 2023 class, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

Overton posted some flicks on Instagram following his visit Saturday.

His caption on his post reads: “Who else all in?”

He had a chance to convene and take some pictures with Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, defensive tackles coach Todd Bates and defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall.

This was Overton’s first trip to Clemson since the Tigers officially offered him a scholarship back on June 1.

Dabo Swinney and Co. often stress getting some of the nation’s top recruits on campus and Clemson was able to do so with the quiet period currently underway.

Overton comes from a family of athletes. His older brother, Micaiah, is currently a defensive lineman at Liberty. Overton’s father, Milton, was an offensive lineman at the University of Oklahoma in the ’90s. His mother, Eunice, was a standout volleyball player at the University of Kentucky.

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4-star North Carolina defensive lineman has ‘great time’ at Clemson

Clemson has been showing interest in this four-star defensive lineman, who was finally able to make his way back on campus Friday. New Bern (N.C.) 2023 DL Keith Sampson, Jr. took in Tiger Town and was shown around by Clemson defensive tackles coach …

Clemson has been showing interest in this four-star defensive lineman, who was finally able to make his way back on campus Friday.

New Bern (N.C.) 2023 DL Keith Sampson, Jr. took in Tiger Town and was shown around by Clemson defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall and defensive player development coach Miguel Chavis.

He caught up with The Clemson Insider regarding his experience.

“The visit was really good,” Sampson told TCI. “I had a great time just getting to meet the coaches. I would say my favorite part about the visit was P.A.W. Journey, just because it was something different.”

This wasn’t Sampson’s first experience at Clemson. He’s camped at Dabo Swinney Camp in the past and had an opportunity to be coached by Clemson legend Da’Quan Bowers, who is now the defensive line coach at USF.

This time around, Sampson didn’t hear much from Clemson’s coaching staff about recruiting. This was more of a get-to-know-you type visit.

“We didn’t talk football a lot, this visit was more like an introduction, but they did tell me that they like my effort on the field and the fact that I am a leader and I’m always working, Sampson said.

Clemson’s relationship with Sampson is only beginning, but the Tigers have already made him feel at home.

“It’s still new, but at the same time, they made it seem like we have known each other for years,” he said.

Sampson has that quickness and level of versatility that’s often coveted at the next level.

“I would definitely say that I am not your average D-lineman,” he said. “I feel like my IQ is better. I am adaptable and I can play multiple positions.

“I have a quick twitch, so I feel like I get off the ball [quicker] than O-lineman most of the time and my hands are good and my speed,” Sampson added.

While his playstyle would certainly fit in at Clemson, what is Sampson looking for in a school at the next level?

“There has to be a brotherhood,” Sampson said. “I wanna make sure they have a good academic program for what I want to study and I want to have a good relationship with the players because they are who I will be with most of the time.”

Clemson can certainly hang its hat on the brotherhood within the confines of its locker room.

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Stud Alabama OL checks out ‘dream’ school Clemson

Clemson played host Thursday to a big-time offensive line prospect from Alabama. Auburn High School 2023 interior OL Bradyn Joiner traveled to campus for an unofficial visit and saw all the Tigers have to offer. “I did a whole tour of everything …

Clemson played host Thursday to a big-time offensive line prospect from Alabama.

Auburn High School 2023 interior OL Bradyn Joiner traveled to campus for an unofficial visit and saw all the Tigers have to offer.

“I did a whole tour of everything they have,” he told The Clemson Insider, “and I would say my favorite part of the visit was being on that field (at Death Valley) and watching the field. It was electric.”

Joiner, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound rising junior, made the trip to Tiger Town with his mother and younger sister.

“My mom thinks highly of Clemson. … She thinks it’s a great school,” he said.

Joiner and his family were shown around by Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell and Joiner’s area recruiter, Todd Bates.

“We were just talking about recruiting and everything they have to offer at Clemson,” he said.

Joiner owns well over two dozen offers going into his junior season. Earlier this month, he released a top 10 comprised of Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Arizona State, Indiana, UCF, Georgia, Mississippi State, Auburn, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech.

While Clemson wasn’t included among his top schools as the Tigers have not yet offered, they would certainly be one of his favorite choices if that changes and they pull the trigger moving forward.

“Clemson is one of my dream schools,” he said.

The subject of a potential offer from Clemson came up during Joiner’s conversations with the coaches.

“They were telling me it was coming,” he said.

Joiner is planning a return trip to Clemson this fall and already has a date circled on his calendar.

“I think I will be back for the Florida State game (on Oct. 30),” he said.

As for when Joiner might make his commitment decision down the road, he said it will happen “whenever I feel like the time is right.” Right now, his recruitment remains wide open.

Joiner visited UCF on Friday and, besides Clemson, he has also been to Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama and Georgia Tech this summer.

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5-star cornerback could fit Terrell/Mullen mold in Clemson’s defense

Clemson is in a good position with some of the best prospects in the 2023 class. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson 2023 five-star cornerback Tony Mitchell is the nation’s No. 1 player at his position and No. 10 prospect for the ’23 class, per 247Sports …

Clemson is in a good position with some of the best prospects in the 2023 class.

Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson 2023 five-star cornerback Tony Mitchell is the nation’s No. 1 player at his position and No. 10 prospect for the ’23 class, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

The Clemson Insider recently checked back in with Mitchell regarding his current recruitment and what he’s been hearing from Clemson as of late.

Mitchell’s main points of contact at Clemson are cornerbacks coach Mike Reed and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

“I’ve just been talking with Coach Reed and Coach Bates and they’ve just been talking about how I really fit into the defensive system there,” he told TCI. “They want me. Just talking about how great the program is and how I’d benefit from coming there.”

Mitchell has been told that he’s similar to A.J. Terell and Trayvon Mullen, and would potentially fit into Brent Venables’ defense like those two former Tigers cornerbacks.

According to Mitchell, Clemson likes his physicality, size and versatility. He can play anywhere in the defensive backfield.

If Mitchell were to end up at Clemson, it would give him a lot of confidence that the coaching staff knows how to develop cornerbacks and help them reach the next level, he said.

Mitchell currently considers Clemson to be one of his top schools at the moment. The Alabama cornerback would like to make a top-10 list in the near future, potentially before his junior season.

He’ll make his way up to The Valley for a game this season. He’s not sure which one just yet, but he’s “for sure” going to be there. 

Those are conversations that Mitchell has had with Clemson’s coaching staff, but more importantly, he’s gotten to know Reed and Bates on a personal level.

“We’re real close,” Mitchell said. “They’ve got to know my family and I’ve been talking with those guys since my freshman year, so we got a really good relationship.”

“It’s been really good getting to talk to a lot of these coaches and starting to build relationships with a lot of different people and just getting to know everyone,” he added.

This summer has allowed Mitchell to hit the recruiting trail. Something that wasn’t available to prospects around the country last year due to the ongoing pandemic.

Mitchell is grateful for what’s been able to do for his recruitment process.

“It’s been very good,” Mitchell said. “I’m glad we got visits in June, getting to see coaches. It’s been over a year and some months. It was good to see them again, getting to see some schools I haven’t been to before. It’s really going to help my recruitment process.”

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