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.
Dwayne: Has the slump of the season which Clemson haters are trying to say is the "end" affected the stances of recruits on us or do they look at this year as a fluke?
Let's start out by saying that every recruitment is different and can be defined by different things. So what's important for one recruit might not be as important to another.
Having said that, there is a reason the coaching staff is so meticulous when it comes to the vetting process, and so selective when it comes to offering kids. And for the most part, it has worked really well. Despite the three loss seasons in 2021 and 2022, Clemson hasn't had to deal with many decommitments, outside of when Brent Venables left for Oklahoma.
However, this season has felt a little different. It has felt like a significant step back. There is no denying that. So obviously it leads to questions about recruiting and the strength of the current commitments. I wish I could sit here and tell you the Tigers won't have any decommitments, but I can't do that. What I can tell you, though, is I think every guy that is committed in the 2024 class feels solid. I think the class remains intact, based on everything I know right now. But there are still about six weeks between now and early signing day, and one thing I have learned covering recruiting, never say never.
Mike: How many more recruits will the staff take in 2024 and at what position? How much room will the staff have to go in the portal if needed?
Clemson still wants to take two more offensive linemen and one more linebacker.
3-stars Favour Edwin and Andrew Dennis, as well as 4-star Elyjah Thurmon are the top targets right now. All three are scheduled to take official visits over these final two home games.
4-star Bradley Shaw is the target at LB. He was on hand for the Florida State game. Shaw is one of those guys who rarely speaks to media so it is hard to get a good read on him. Alabama and Auburn, as well as Clemson, are thought to be the main players.
As for the portal, I think you see Clemson at least go after a DE. Beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see who leaves and who stays. They aren't likely to have THAT much room.
Joey: What’s your take on 5-star OL David Sanders? Do we have a shot with him? Who is leading for his services?
Sanders (Providence Day, Charlotte) has visited Clemson close to half a dozen times now, with the latest being for the overtime loss to Florida State. He is the biggest "want" for the 2025 class, as evidenced by him being the first player to officially pick up an offer.
Way too early to declare a leader here, but at the same time, we can also say that Clemson will be one of the major players in this thing. So will some of the other big boys. He has also visited Alabama, North Carolina and Auburn this season. He took in visits to Tennessee, FSU, Georgia, Alabama and Michigan over the summer.
Sanders is one of the top players in the class, so this is a recruitment that still has a lot of life left in it. Next up for Clemson will be getting him back to campus for the big recruiting weekend in January.
Megan: Do you think Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr are locks for the draft or any chance they’ll come back?
Honestly, I could see any of the possible scenarios playing out here. Meaning, I could see both leaving, both staying, or just one ending up leaving. How this plays out for sure is still to be determined, but as we sit here today, I lean towards thinking one of those guys comes back. It might very well come down to the grades they recieve from the NFL Draft Advisory Committee after the season.
If both were to leave, that will be felt. Even with 5-star Sammy Brown coming in. LB is a hard position to learn and asking any freshman to come in and start day one is asking a lot. The Tigers would still have Wade Woodaz, but there would be very little experience outside of him. There is some talent, such as freshmen Jamal Anderson and Dee Crayton, but those guys just haven't had much opportunity to date.
AllClemsonTigers.com is now offering you an opportunity to get more out of Clemson coverage with our new “Death Valley Domain” membership.
The staff at AllClemsonTigers.com will continue to bring you free access to news stories, features, press conferences, recruiting mailbags and game recaps, but Death Valley Domain offers something else.
Want more of Recruiting Director Jason Priester’s insights into who Clemson is chasing, what prospects think of the Tigers and how the next class will turn out? Sign up for an exclusive subscription to get all of the recruiting scoop from the best in the business.
Publisher Zach Lentz and Priester will take you inside the game, dive deeper into the stats and offer their unique perspectives on Clemson football results. Join now for more insightful content on the Clemson Tigers.
Want to know more about what’s going on behind the scenes and get exclusive scoops surrounding the team? Snag that membership today and keep up with everything going on around Clemson athletics.
A monthly subscription of $4.99 gets you all this and more.
Want to save $10? Sign up for an entire year for just $49.99 right now.
►LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allclemson
►SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/AllClemson