You’ve got recruiting questions and we have the answers.
Welcome to the All Clemson Tigers’ recruiting mailbag, where we will answer your recruiting questions. Or we will at least attempt to do so, as recruiting is a world with many moving parts and an ever-changing landscape where circumstances can often change in a flash.
With that in mind, let’s dive in.
Jb405: Do we get both OL Fletcher Westphal and William Satterwhite?
I thought Clemson was in solid shape with Satterwhite heading into his official visit to Tennessee. He told me at the time that the Tigers were at the top of his list.
Coming out of that visit, things weren't quite so clear-cut. Those were the only two officials Satterwhite took in June, and he announces his decision on Friday. As of Thursday afternoon, I'm just not sure how this one plays out. I tend to lean towards the Vols, though.
I feel much better about the Tigers' chances with Westphal. He took officials to Clemson, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia, but I have gotten the sense that this one is coming down to the Tigers and the Gators. To me, after talking with him a few weeks ago, Westphal just seems like the perfect fit for Clemson from a cultural standpoint. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that's where he ends up.
All that to say, I like the Tigers' chances of going 1-for-2 more so than landing both.
Flysly: At what position are we recruiting Ashton Hampton and are we still after Corian Gipson?
Yes, Clemson is still very much in on Gipson. He is one of the best cornerback prospects in the class. And he and Hampton would both be takes if both wanted to jump on board.
Gipson is coming down to Clemson and Texas, with an announcement coming July 22. I know there's a lot of chatter favoring Texas, but right now, I'm saying toss up.
On Tuesday, Hampton announced a commitment date of July 15. He took officials to Clemson, Miami and Arkansas and at one time said he was planning to take another official to Florida State later this year. With an announcement now coming next week, I'm thinking that visit is likely no longer going to take place.
HIs father, Alonzo Hampton, is now the head coach at Arkansas Pine-Bluff, so he does have a tie to that state. How much that plays in, if any at all, I have no idea. The fact that he is announcing now instead of later this year could be a positive sign for the Tigers.
As far as what position he is being recruited to play, I think he can play corner or safety. I do not know for sure which he would be classified as from a numbers standpoint. I lean towards thinking safety. That also could depend on who ends up in the class and who doesn't.
Hampton is long, athletic and probably a tad underrated. Personally, I could see him thriving in that nickel role. Get him on board and then you can figure out where he best fits later.
Kevin: How many offers for 2024 are still out there? How many players did we offer so far in 2024?
According to the 247 database, Clemson has handed out just 60 offers in the 2024 class. By comparison, Alabama has offered 240 players, Georgia 237 players, South Carolina 212, and Ohio State 133. That is a pretty substantial difference and shows the difference in recruiting strategy when it comes to Clemson.
As for who is still out there, there are a number of players still out there with offers to watch. OL William Satterwhite and Fletcher Westphal are set to announce in the next week. OL Casey Poe and Jameson Riggs are also nearing the end, but it doesn't look like Clemson lands either. Poe announces on July 12. The staff wants to take three OL and already have one on board in Ronan O' Connell.
DBs Ashton Hampton and Corian Gipson are both on the verge of decisions, as referenced above. CB Tavoy Feagin and safeties Noah Dixon and Ricardo Jones have already announced commitments to the Tigers.
There is also 5-star DE Eddrick Houston, who will announce later this summer. DE Darien Mayo is already committed, and the number is two, so the Tigers still need one more end.
The Tigers are also still waiting on 5-star Mike Matthews. No commitment date has been set yet, but there has been talk of a July decision. We'll see if that's how it unfolds.
Matthews is listed as an ATH by the services, but he's being recruited to play wide receiver. The number is two, and Clemson already has two elite level wideouts on board in 4-star TJ Moore and 5-star Bryant Wesco, but Matthews is also still a take.
4-star Alex Taylor, the first 2024 WR that Clemson offered, announces on July 29. After the Tigers got commitments from Moore and Wesco, I reached out to Taylor and asked if Clemson was still an option for him, and he said yes. Let's just say I'm not sure that's the case any longer.
Wanna ask a recruiting question, shoot us an email a jp@clemsonmaven.io or hit us on Twitter.
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