Tag: Xzavier McLeod

4-star DL recruit names Florida in top 10, can’t wait to return

Could an official visit to the Swamp be up next for this South Carolina four-star recruit?

Florida made the top 10 for four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Xzavier McLeod[/autotag] on Friday.

The Camden, South Carolina recruit made the announcement on social media, listing Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina as the other programs still in the hunt.

The Bulldogs will host him on Monday and Tuesday, and that should be it for McLeod’s spring schedule, according to 247Sports. With his options cut down to 10 schools, it’s time to figure out which ones will be getting official visits. LSU is in line to get one of those visits and Florida could be school No. 2 on the list.

“I love the facilities,” McLeod said. “When I was down there, I had coach  Napier say there were getting a new facility, so I am looking forward to seeing that. I can’t wait to get down there, probably for an official in the near future. I just can’t wait to get down there once again.”

The Gators hosted McLeod on April 2 and defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] was able to spend some time with him in the film room. McLeod left with a good idea of how he would fit into UF’s scheme and thinks there’s room to make an early impact.

247Sports has a few crystal balls logged for McLeod in favor of the Gamecocks, with the most recent coming at the end of February. South Carolina certainly holds some weight in this race being 30 minutes away, but the SEC’s heavyweights might get him to leave his home state.

McLeod is ranked No. 115 overall in the class of 2023 by 247Sports and is also No. 14 among defensive linemen. The composite rankings are a bit less favorable at Nos. 170 and 25, respectively.

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Four-star DL Xzavier McLeod has Auburn in top 10

Auburn made the cut for four-star DL Xzavier McLeod.

Four-star defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod announced his top 10 schools Friday afternoon and Auburn made the cut.

The Tigers will be battling in-state South Carolina, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Florida State, Florida, and Oklahoma.

McLeod has the athleticism to play either nose tackle or three-technique in college. He has the strength and hands needed to control blockers and shed them to get after the ball. Despite his age, he already knows how to combine his moves to get the most out of them.

McLeod may have released a top 10 but the Gamecocks are the favorites to land him. They have received three Crystal Ball predictions for him.

Xzavier McLeod’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Crystal Ball

Florida set to host this 4-star defensive lineman in early April

Four-star defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod is still getting to know Florida’s new staff. He’ll visit the Swamp at the beginning of April.

Florida’s recruiting focus has largely been on in-state recruits early on, but more and more out-of-state players are being linked with the Gators as the year continues. One of those players is Camden, South Carolina’s Xzavier McLeod, a four-star defensive lineman in the class of 2023.

The Gators offered McLeod earlier in March and the 6-foot-4-inch, 324-pound lineman began to look into scheduling a trip to the Swamp. That date has now been set, according to 247Sports. He’ll be in town on April 2 to meet with Billy Napier and the rest of the Florida staff. Two other four-star recruits are expected to be in Gainesville that Saturday as well as a top-3 cornerback in the class of 2024.

Defensive line coach Sean Spencer has been McLeod’s main recruiter with the Gators with recruiting analyst Joe Hamilton in the mix as well. The relationship is still new, but things seem to be moving in the right direction.

“I have liked the talks with them and they are just harping on me to get down there to Gainesville for a visit,” McLeod said to 247Sports after fielding an offer from UF. “I look forward to doing that. I have been telling them how Gainesville is only a five-hour trip, so I want to get down there and experience that school and that atmosphere.”

Auburn and Alabama will host him this week, and he’s looking to stop by FSU during the same weekend he makes it to Gainesville. With nearly 20 offers from elite programs in his back pocket, McLeod has plenty of options to choose from. Florida will need to make a good impression to rip him away from the other schools in the hunt.

Right now, South Carolina seems to be the team to beat, but there’s plenty of time for Napier and Co. to leave their mark on the No. 115 overall prospect in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports.

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Oklahoma offers four-star DL Xzavier McLeod from South Carolina

Oklahoma offered four-star class of 2023 defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod. Who is Xzavier and what does his tape look like?

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables and associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates went back into South Carolina to dole out one of the Sooners’ latest offers.

Xzavier McLeod announced that he has picked up an OU offer. He is a 6-foot-4, 301 pound defensive lineman according to 247Sports. The Camden, S.C., native is regarded as one of the best defensive linemen in the 2023 class.

247Sports ranks McLeod as a four-star recruit, the nation’s No. 19 defensive lineman in and as the country’s No. 140 player overall in the 2023 class. ESPN rates McLeod as the nation’s No. 53 player overall and the fifth-best defensive tackle. Rivals lists McLeod as the No. 21 defensive tackle and as a three-star recruit.

In the 247Sports composite rankings, McLeod is the No. 22 defensive lineman and the No. 158 player overall in the 2023 class. On3‘s consensus rankings have McLeod ranked as the No. 28 defensive lineman and the No. 200 player in the cycle.

Xzavier McLeod’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN 4 53 1 5
Rivals 3 N/A 4 21
247Sports 4 140 3 19
247 Composite 4 158 2 22
On3 Recruiting 3 N/A N/A N/A
On3 Composite 4 200 3 28

Vitals

Hometown Camden, S.C.
Projected Position DT
Height 6-foot-4
Weight 301

Recruitment

  • Offered on Jan. 27, 2022

Offers

  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Florida State
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Louisville
  • Michigan
  • N.C. State
  • North Carolina
  • Notre Dame
  • Ole Miss
  • Tennessee

Crystal Ball

Film

Here’s a look at some of McLeod’s hudl tape.

In his tape, McLeod showcases an impressive burst off the line of scrimmage from a three-technique to ball-carriers. He also demonstrates the ability to line up on the interior of the defensive line or work as a defensive end.

McLeod has a pair of crystal-ball predictions in to land at South Carolina from 247Sports reporters JC Shurburtt and Hale McGranahan of TheBigSpur.

Clemson has not offered McLeod yet, so that will be something to watch for in the future. OU has thrust its name into the mix here, though, and Bates’ track record for landing big-time defensive line talent would suggest that the Sooners will have more than a puncher’s chance with McLeod.

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Eason checks in on elite in-state defensive tackle

Clemson’s new defensive tackles coach hit the recruiting trail Monday and checked in on an elite in-state DT in the 2023 class. Nick Eason paid a visit to Camden (S.C.) High School, home to four-star Xzavier McLeod. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior is …

Clemson’s new defensive tackles coach hit the recruiting trail Monday and checked in on an elite in-state DT in the 2023 class.

Nick Eason paid a visit to Camden (S.C.) High School, home to four-star Xzavier McLeod.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior is ranked as high as the No. 5 defensive tackle and No. 53 overall prospect in the country for the 2023 class, according to ESPN.

McLeod has compiled a solid offer list which includes schools like South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, NC State, Florida State and Louisville.

Though Clemson has not yet pulled the trigger on an offer to McLeod, he was drawing interest from former Tigers defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, and Eason’s stop by McLeod’s school on Monday indicates Clemson remains interested.

While at Auburn, Eason actually offered McLeod, who would love to receive an offer from the Tigers via Eason moving forward.

McLeod gave his reaction to Clemson’s hire of Eason after it was approved by the Clemson University Board of Trustees’ compensation committee on Jan. 7.

“It’s crazy just knowing the people that you have been offered by and been talking to for a long [time] for that school, just change into a new environment,” McLeod said to The Clemson Insider. “Maybe, [Eason] can help with the offer at Clemson. That will be great.”

Camden (S.C.) HS 2023 4-star DL Xzavier McLeod during pregame Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

McLeod competed at the Dabo Swinney Camp last June and then returned to campus back on Oct. 30 to take in Clemson’s game vs. Florida State at Death Valley.

It marked the first game-day recruiting trip to Clemson for McLeod, who came away impressed by the visit in a variety of ways, but especially by Swinney and his staff.

“Great coaching staff,” McLeod said to TCI of what stood out to him about the visit. “I like seeing Dabo Swinney because he’s a great coach. That aspect, and then the team working together, defense looking great, firing on all cylinders, and it was just a great game all around and great fan support.”

“I think they’re a great coaching program at Clemson,” he added. “They’ve obviously got a goal they’re trying to reach, and Coach Swinney, of course he’s the man to bring it all together. He’s a really great guy.”

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In-state standout DL reacts to Bates’ departure, Eason’s hire

The Clemson Insider caught up with an in-state standout defensive lineman following the news that Todd Bates would be departing for Oklahoma and that Clemson would be hiring Nick Eason as his replacement. It’s been a couple of days since Camden …

The Clemson Insider caught up with an in-state standout defensive lineman following the news that Todd Bates would be departing for Oklahoma and that Clemson would be hiring Nick Eason as his replacement.

It’s been a couple of days since Camden (S.C.) 2023 four-star defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod has had his phone and he’s missed a good bit of action.

“It’s sad to see him leave,” McLeod told TCI. “They never offered me at Clemson, but he seemed interested at Clemson. So, hopefully, that doesn’t change and can possibly pick up the offer at Oklahoma.”

McLeod was also surprised to hear the news that Eason, who had offered him while he was at Auburn, had since become Bates’ replacement at Clemson. Eason’s hire has since become official and was approved by the Clemson University Board of Trustees’ compensation committee Friday morning.

“It’s crazy just knowing the people that you have been offered by and been talking to for a long [time] for that school, just change into a new environment,” McLeod said. “Maybe, [Eason] can help with the offer at Clemson. That will be great.”

McLeod (6-4, 315) is the top-ranked prospect in the state of South Carolina, the No. 11 defensive lineman nationally and No. 47 overall prospect in his class according to the 247Sports Composite.

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No. 1 in-state prospect leaves Clemson visit very impressed by Swinney

Clemson recently played host to a top-50 national recruit ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Palmetto State for the class of 2023. Camden (S.C.) High School four-star defensive tackle Xzavier McLeod made an unofficial visit to campus for the …

Clemson recently played host to a top-50 national recruit ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Palmetto State for the class of 2023.

Camden (S.C.) High School four-star defensive tackle Xzavier McLeod made an unofficial visit to campus for the Florida State game on Oct. 30.

It marked the first game-day recruiting trip to Clemson for McLeod, who is the top-ranked prospect in the state of South Carolina, No. 11 defensive lineman nationally and No. 47 overall prospect in his class according to the 247Sports Composite.

“It was a great visit,” McLeod said to The Clemson Insider. “It was great getting out there and finally getting out for a game day. A great crowd, great intensity.”

McLeod (6-4, 315) came away impressed by the game-day visit in a variety of ways, but especially by Clemson head man Dabo Swinney and his staff.

“Great coaching staff,” McLeod said of what stood out to him about the visit. “I like seeing Dabo Swinney because he’s a great coach. That aspect, and then the team working together, defense looking great, firing on all cylinders, and it was just a great game all around and great fan support.”

“I think they’re a great coaching program at Clemson,” he added. “They’ve obviously got a goal they’re trying to reach, and Coach Swinney, of course he’s the man to bring it all together. He’s a really great guy.”

Camden (S.C.) HS 2023 4-star DL Xzavier McLeod during pregame Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

McLeod interacted the most with defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, in addition to spending time with offensive line analyst and Camden High alum Thomas Austin.

McLeod also had the chance to chop it up with Swinney following the Tigers’ 30-20 win over the Seminoles.

“The longest time I got to talk to Coach Swinney was after the game,” he said. “But mostly I heard from him, it was a great win. He was very happy about the win. And Coach Bates, he was just excited to have me down there. He was just going on about me coming to the first game and he would like to see me at more as we progress (in the recruiting process).”

Prior to his visit for the FSU game, McLeod was previously on campus for the Swinney Camp in June when he worked out with Bates and received constructive feedback regarding his game.

“He gave me a couple things to fix,” McLeod said. “He said footwork, get better with speed and some other stuff. But last time I talked to him, he said he checked my film and everything was looking good, like I got way better than I was.”

McLeod has also made game-day trips to see South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida State and Alabama this season. With the exception of the Crimson Tide, all of those schools have offered McLeod, along with Auburn, NC State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville and Virginia.

McLeod, who says his recruitment is “pretty wide open” right now, cited South Carolina, Georgia, NC State and Ole Miss as some of the schools showing the most interest at this point in the process.

Although McLeod grew up a fan of the Gamecocks, the Tigers have made a big impression on the in-state standout, and he would love to get an offer from Clemson and have an opportunity to suit up for Swinney’s team.

“Like I said, Dabo Swinney, he’s a great guy,” McLeod said. “He is a great coach. He has this great mentality as a coach. Whether you lose or not, he’s going to love you unconditionally.”

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Coach Speak on top 50 prospect Xzavier McLeod

Clemson is high on this Class of 2023 in-state defensive lineman, according to his defensive coordinator and position coach, Joey Hendrix, who recently caught up with The Clemson Insider. Camden (S.C.) High School five-star Xzavier McLeod is ranked …

Clemson is high on this Class of 2023 in-state defensive lineman, according to his defensive coordinator and position coach, Joey Hendrix, who recently caught up with The Clemson Insider.

Camden (S.C.) High School five-star Xzavier McLeod is ranked as the No. 11 defensive linemen in the nation and the No. 47 overall prospect regardless of position in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

McLeod (6-4, 300) is also the No. 1 prospect in the Palmetto State.

“We went to camp there and the coaches at the camp there really liked what they saw,” Hendrix said. “They put him through some workouts and they talked to him about some things he could improve on and things that he does well…They liked what they saw.”

Hendrix knows that the one thing about Clemson is “they get to choose who they want.” 

He reiterated that Clemon’s coaching staff was very impressed with what they saw out of McLeod, while he was on campus earlier this summer, but that the Tigers can also be selective and likely hand-pick which defensive lineman they want in the 2023 class.

“They gave him feedback and they told him that they want to see what he does after this year,” Hendrix said. “They want to see how he develops from, not just the raw talent that he is, but how he takes to the coaching.”

Hendrix added that he believes Clemson wants to also see how McLeod develops from a pass-rushing standpoint.

“He’s unbelievably strong and he is fast,” Hendrix said. “I know that’s a cliche when you hear someone’s strong and fast, but he is gifted that way. His technique in the weight room isn’t as developed as some people are, but he’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever been around. He’s powerful and he’s really fast off the ball.

While McLeod still has two years left of high school, Hendrix said that there’s no telling what he can accomplish with the proper development at the collegiate level. 

McLeod hasn’t even scratched the surface when considering his potential. He’s recently seen his recruiting blow up as he holds offers from South Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisville.

Hendrix is amazed at what McLeod’s been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.

“It’s crazy, he’s got a chance to become a 3x all-state guy, people have a hard time blocking him,” he said. “I don’t want him to get an inflated ego or anything, but he’s something special. I’ve coached two kids that went to Clemson, I coached kids that went to Georgia, kids that went to the Air Force Academy, and this one? He’s special. He really is.”

Circling back to Clemson, from a coach’s perspective, Hendrix likes the way the Tigers go about their business.

“It’s a family thing and I like that. It’s not just Clemson that’s doing that, South Carolina’s starting to pick up on that model, Georgia picks up on that model,” Hendrix said.

“Other teams, well some of them will just throw the offer out there to kids, but I think that the people here recently, South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, they’re all seeing what Dabo’s (Swinney) done and I think they’re picking up on some of that where they’re really wanting to know these kids and it becomes a family situation.”

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