By Hale McGranahan.

Starting with the impressive four-man class in 2011, Clemson has been pretty successful in recruiting linebackers.

Senior starters Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony, the headliners of that 2011 group, will depart after this season, leaving B.J. Goodson and Kellen Jones as the seniors on the 2015 squad. Goodson will be the final piece from that class — Lateek Townsend left the program in January of 2013.

This season, Ben Boulware and T.J. Burrell are sophomores. Travis Blanks, who’s now classified as a strong-side linebacker, will join the junior class (2015 season) of Boulware and Burrell after taking a redshirt this season.

Dorian O’Daniel, a redshirt freshman, will be the only sophomore linebacker next season. Kendall Joseph, Chris Register and Korie Rogers are all taking redshirts this fall.

J.D. Davis, Judah Davis and Jalen Williams, all three of whom are greyshirts, will arrive to school in January as scholarship players. Because of their additions, there will just be one linebacker in the 2015 class: four-star (Rivals) Chad Smith.

With Goodson and Jones slated to be seniors in 2015, it would appear that Clemson is set to add a pair of 2016 linebackers that would fit at either the middle or weak-side positions. Here are a few names we’re keeping an eye on for that class.

Tre Lamar – Roswell, Georgia
In August, Lamar visited Clemson to watch one of the Tigers’ preseason camp workouts. He returned to Tigertown a few weeks later for the home opener against S.C. State. A four-star outside linebacker, according to Scout, Lamar has Clemson ranked as one of his favorite schools, but he hasn’t named them as his out-right leader. Alabama is among the other schools that Lamar is heavily considering. He could return to Clemson in November for the South Carolina game.

Tobias Little – Atlanta, Georgia – Mays
Clemson offered Little when he was on campus for the March Junior Day event. About a month later, he was back for the Orange and White spring game. With the early offer on the table, Clemson is in strong position for the three-star middle linebacker (Scout). Georgia Tech, N.C. State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech have also offered.

Rahshaun Smith – Baltimore, Maryland – St. Frances
At 6-2, 225 pounds, Smith could end up as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end at the next level, but we’ll keep him listed as a linebacker here. Rivals rates Smaith as a five-star and ranks him as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in the country. Clemson hosted him for a visit over the summer when he and several of his teammates attend the Dabo Swinney Football Camp.

James Skalski – Newnan, Georgia – Northgate
Georgia could have the edge with an offer, but this has shaped up as a battle between South Carolina and Clemson. While the Gamecocks have the edge, the Tigers are in the mix for the three-star prospect (Rivals).

Jaquan Yulee – Chesapkeake, Virginia – Indian River
North Carolina has an early lead for Yulee, but he once listed the Tar Heels as a co-leader with Clemson. Notre Dame, Michigan, Virginia and N.C. State have also offered Yulee, who’s the No. 2 middle linebacker in the country, according to Scout.