CLEMSON- One position of importance in Clemson's 2024 recruiting class was defensive end.
With Justin Mascoll and Xavier Thomas both having exhausted their eligibility and David Ojiegbe transferring out, it's a position that will be closely watched when the Tigers open spring practice.
TJ Parker was a freshman All-American, and obviously he will be at one of those two spots, but who wins the job opposite of him will be something worth monitoring.
Cade Denhoff is a candidate, but has logged just 180 snaps over his first three seasons. Former 4-stars Zaire Patterson and AJ Hoffler will also compete.
The Tigers also added two ends in the 2024 class in 4-star Darien Mayo and 3-star Adam Kissayi. Two big ends. And head coach Dabo Swinney thinks Clemson hit on both.
“Both these dudes are 6-foot-7, I mean, just absolute giants when you see them," Swinney said.
Mayo won't enroll until the summer, but there is a detailed plan in place to ensure the blue-chip talent is up to speed when he gets to campus. Mayo wreaked havoc on opposing offenses during a senior campaign that saw him unofficially rack up 63 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
"Man, Darien is a high-level player," Swinney said. "He’s got a bright future, had a great year this year.”
Kissayi is an early enrollee and Swinney went into detail on how the former Minnesota commit ended up a part of the Tigers' class.
“He’s a neat story," Swinney said. "He shows up at our camp, and not only did he come, he came for three days. And I’ll never forget taking the picture with him at The Rock. You know, I mean, you look at him when he comes in, and he said he was coming to get a scholarship offer to Clemson. And I said, Well, okay, well, I’m gonna be here every day. So, we’ll see what happens. And, you know, he’s here for three days. He didn’t miss anything. He really won us over in camp. I mean, he’s got long range potential.”
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