The recruiting class for Clemson is doing the “slow build” in 2022. Everyone knows the story of the tortoise and the hare.
The quarterback position for 2022 is in good hands with one of the best in the country, Texas native Cade Klubnik. The man had a dream season his junior year, leading his team to the State Championship, beating out “then consensus #1 QB in the country Quinn Ewers” and being named the offensive player of the game. As if that wasn’t enough, Klubnik beat out Ewers again at the Elite 11 event in July. Clemson might be done at the quarterback position for 2022.
The Tigers have yet to close the deal on a stud running back in this class. They have offered three to date, with one, Emmanuel Henderson, already committing to Alabama. Branson Robinson out of Mississippi and Trevor Ettiene (Yes, that Etienne family) out of Louisiana hold Clemson offers but neither has shown a big interest in the Tigers, at least for now. It’s possible that this could be another Travis Etienne scenario. Etienne committed on January 26th, a week before signing day back in 2017. Clemson was late to the party, offering him on January 12th, but he saw something in Clemson he liked more than the others. The rest is history.
Clemson has already secured one of the top WR’s in the country in 4-star Adam Randall. Randall, out of Myrtle Beach, SC, is currently ranked as the 14th best WR in the country and could see that rise with a stellar senior year. The Tigers are still in it with Brenen Thompson out of Texas and Andre Green, Jr., out of Virginia. Texas and Texas A&M are pushing hard to keep this one in state. Greene has 57 offers to play college football, including one from Clemson. As of right now, we don’t know who his favorites are. One other WR of interest that could come into the picture is Dutch Fork WR Antonio Williams. The 6-0 180 4-star will be teaming with new QB Aliam Alper who recently attended the Clemson camp in June.
The Tight End position is increasingly becoming a big part of the Clemson offense. Last year, the Tigers brought in the #1 TE in the 2021 class, Jake Briningstool. This year, two tight ends are high Clemson targets. Oscar Delp, #3 TE currently in the country in the 2022 class, is considered a heavy lean to stay instate with UGA, but the Tigers are battling for his services. Klubnik could be a big factor in his recruitment. Greer, SC, native Jaleel Skinner is looking like a WR/TE hybrid-type that looks to be leaning towards Florida State, according to 247.
The offensive line always gets a bad rap, but in recent years, recruiting has improved quite a bit. Last year, the Tigers brought in 3 4-star OL and one 5-star, Tristan Leigh. Marcus Tate, Ryan Linthicum, and Dietrick Pennington will be key players in the very near future. In the 2022 class, Clemson has already added two road graders in 4-star Collin Sadler (6-5 295) and Blake Miller (6-6 315). The Tigers aren’t done yet. Look for at least one or two more to be added. One possibility could be Chase Sweigert out of Chapin, SC. Clemson remains in contact with him regularly.
B.J. Potter came into Clemson in 2018 and has excelled at the kicker position. In the 2022 class, the Tigers got a big commitment from another solid kicker, Robert Gunn out of Largo, Florida. He was offered on June 13th, and committed June 14th. Less than 1% of high school senior kickers, punters and snappers around the nation are fortunate enough to earn a college scholarship. Over the years, it’s become commonplace for college football programs to only offer PWO spots to these specialists. Dabo Swinney breaks from that “norm” routinely. It didn’t take long for Gunn to jump on the offer.
The All-In Cookout is coming up soon. The Tigers usually get one or two commitments coming out of that event. Just when you least expect it, a name will come up no one except the staff knows about and BOOM!!!!! More to come.
