For weeks, we have speculated about if, or when, Clemson might start expanding the board at offensive line.
The Tigers had its entire class of 2023 offensive linemen locked up by July 4. However, this recruiting cycle is playing out a little differently.
Looking to sign three in the 2024 class, Clemson brought in six different targets for the big official visit weekend. One of those, 4-star Michael Uini (Copperas Cove, Tx), has already come off the board, as he announced a commitment to Georgia on Friday.
Another one of those players, 4-star Casey Poe (Lindale, Tx), looks to be trending to Alabama. Poe lists Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Texas Tech, Georgia, LSU and Oklahoma as his finalists and he announces on July 12.
That would leave four players still in play at this point. Let’s start with 3-star Ronan O’ Connell (Fred J. Page, Franklin, Tn). He took officials to Clemson, Wisconsin and Tennessee. For weeks, many, myself included, have framed O’ Connell as a fairly heavy lean to the Volunteers. He is, after all, from the state of Tennessee. Well, as the old adage goes, it’s not over until it’s over.
Coming out of the weekend, it appears that the Vols might not be the team to beat after all. While no commitment date has been set, expect some closure on this recruitment soon. Really soon.
Another offensive linemen that Tennessee and Clemson have been battling for is 4-star William Satterwhite (Archbishop Hoban, Akron Oh). Satterwhite only took official visits to those two schools and he announces on July 7. The Tigers were at one time considered the favorite, so we’ll see if they can hold off that other team in orange.
Next up is 4-star Fletcher Westphal (Tuscarora, Leesburg, Va), who announces on July 12. Westphal is down to Clemson, Florida, Georgia , Auburn and Arkansas, and he took officials to each finalist. However, this one looks like it might be coming down to Clemson and Florida. That isn’t to say that Georgia is completely out of it, but I think they have guys higher on the board they are still waiting on.
The final target is 3-star Jameson Riggs (Hiram, Ga), who took officials to Clemson, Georgia Tech and Auburn. Riggs plays things very close to the vest, so it is hard to know who might be the favorite, or which way he is leaning at this point. Although, I do think the Tigers are still in it. No official announcement date has been set but a summer decision is expected, probably at some point in July.
With Clemson still in it for these recruits, don’t expect the board to expand quite yet. At least until we start getting decisions from the remaining uncommitted targets. Again, the number is three, and if the Tigers can hit on at least two of these prospects, maybe that is a win, all things considered. Hit on three, and you’re done. Then there’s no need to expand. Unless, of course, you decide later on to take a fourth.
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