Clemson had a star-studded list of visitors in town for its last home game against Florida State.
One of those was 4-star DE London Merritt (Woodward, Atlanta, Ga), a Top 100 talent and one of the top edge prospects in the 2025 class.
Merritt worked out at Dabo Swinney's high school camp back in the summer and nabbed an offer from the Tigers in the process. He currently has right at 40 offers, with pretty much every big boy football program showing interest.
On this visit, though, he got a better idea of what the Clemson football program has to offer and came away feeling like a coveted recruit.
"Coaches making me feel loved, like I'm wanted," Merritt told All Clemson Tigers. "The way they use players that are at my position in a way that I could see them. Sometimes dropping back into the flats and then on third downs, making plays."
Merritt also came away more than impressed with the environment. Despite the noon kick against the Seminoles, Death Valley seemed to come alive in the eyes of the blue-chip talent.
"It was actually really good," Merritt said. "Electric crowd. Loud. When they made a play the crowd got very, very loud. It was pretty good, honestly."
Wes Goodwin's defense played some of its best football of the season in the overtime loss, and Merritt saw firsthand how well a player with his skillset can fit into the Tigers' scheme.
"I can definitely see myself playing in this defense," Merritt said. "Helping make plays and getting sacks out on the edge."
Merritt trimmed his list of schools down to 12 early in the summer, but right now says that Southern Cal, Ohio State, Tennessee, Alabama and Clemson are some the schools that are currently recruiting him the hardest. He would like to have a decision made sometime early next year, although that isn't set in stone.
While some of today's athletes are out looking for the biggest payday due to the advent of NIL and pay-for-play, that isn't Merritt. While he is all for players profiting off of their own name, and would of course welcome any opportunities that presented themselves, it's not close to being at the top of his list when it comes to what he is looking for in a school.
"I'm not too crazy over (NIL)," Merritt said. "I'm just trying to go where I want to go. Handle my business and make it to the next level. But having that NIL side, it's always good to have."
What he is looking for is a school that can develop him, because while the ultimate dream is to play in the NFL, he also wants to be prepared for life after the game.
"The way they treat me," Merritt said. "The depth chart and obviously the education."
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