Christian Bentancur has always been drawn to the Clemson culture.
The family-like feel inside the program was a big part of the reason why the talented tight end, out of Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Ill), chose the Tigers. Bentancur announced a commitment to Clemson back on January 13, choosing Dabo Swinney's program over Ohio State and Oregon.
The commitment came just one day after the hiring of new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. While the timing of the announcement was purely coincidental, the SI All-American candidate is already in love with what Clemson's newest assistant has planned for the Tigers' offense.
"Coach Riley from what I heard is a big win for Clemson," Bentancur told All Clemson. "I’ve only spoken to him a little bit but I can’t wait to meet him in person and talk ball because I love his vision with his offense."
Bentancur is one of just two tight ends that Clemson has offered in the 2024 cycle. The blue-chip prospect earned his offer after an impressive workout at camp last summer, then returned for a late-season visit for the Tigers' win over Louisville. It was during that game day visit that Bentancur really started to realize that Clemson might be the school for him.
"When I visited for the game day, that was when I figured it out," he said. "I got that feeling that Clemson is home."
Like so many others, it is the strong culture that Swinney has cultivated inside the program that really stood out. Not to mention the unprecedented success the Tigers have experienced during the College Football Playoff era.
"Clemson separated themselves from the other two schools because of all the love and family that they showed," Bentancur said. "And them being able to be elite every year."
The relationship he has established with tight ends coach Kyle Richardson was something else that attracted Bentancur to Clemson.
"Coach Richardson and I have an amazing relationship," he said. "We talk on the phone all the time and each time we talk our relationship grows. He has kept it real for the whole process and given a lot of advice."
Widely considered one of the five best tight end prospects in his class and a Top 100 talent, Bentancur is the first offensive player to commit to Clemson in the 2024 class. With his recruitment now over, the talented tight end will now go to work on helping as much as he can on the recruiting trail.
"Being committed earlier than a lot of others and the first on the offensive side, I will hopefully help recruit a bunch of other top recruits to get to Clemson and build a truly elite class."
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