By Hale McGranahan.
Just a couple of weeks before Clemson officially welcomed its four-man haul of offensive linemen from the 2015 class, the Tigers welcomed a new member to its offensive front.
Three-star guard Sean Pollard joined the 2016 Clemson class six days before Christmas.
With the upcoming departures of Ryan Norton, Joe Gore, Isaiah Battle and Eric Mac Lain, Clemson is projected to add three more offensive linemen to its 2016 class. With an interior position already occupied by Pollard, it would appear that two of those openings are for tackles.
Here are the prospects we’re tracking as potential additions by Clemson.
OG Parker Bourdreaux – Orlando, Florida – Bishop Moore Catholic
Moore has made multiple visits to Clemson and also stopped by to see the Tigers practice while they were in Orlando for the Russell Athletic Bowl. The four-star guard is expected to be back in Clemson next month for another visit. Just about every major program in the country has offered.
OT Jack DeFoor – Calhoun, Georgia
DeFoor arrived to Clemson’s Elite Junior Day without an offer, but the Tigers jumped on board that afternoon, joining Appalachian State, Cincinnati and Georgia Southern. Louisville, Ole Miss and Virginia have also gotten into the mix since his Junior Day stop in Clemson.
OG Landon Dickerson – Hudson, North Carolina – South Caldwell
Clemson once held a spot in Dickerson’s top three, but the Tigers have since faded. Virginia Tech, Tennessee and South Carolina currently occupy spots in his lead group.
OT Luke Elder – LaGrange, Georgia
Instead of visiting Clemson, Elder went to South Carolina for its first Junior Day event of the year. A day later, he rode up to Clemson with his parents and picked up an offer from Robbie Caldwell. South Carolina, Tennessee, UNC, Louisville and Mississippi State have also offered. Auburn, the school he grew up pulling for, is expressing interest.
OT Jay Jay McCargo – Arlington, Virginia – Bishop O’Connell
The three-star prospect visited Clemson as a freshman before returning for last month’s Elite Junior Day. Clemson, Boston College, Duke, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and West Virginia have offered.
OT E.J. Price – Lawrenceville, Georgia – Archer
Ranked by Rivals and 247 as one of the 10 best offensive tackles in the class of 2016, Price visited Clemson for the Elite Junior Day. The four-star prospect is an early Auburn lean, but his top 10 has schools from the ACC, Big 10 and Pac 12.
OG John Simpson – North Charleston – Fort Dorchester
Over the last several months, Clemson has made a serious move for Simpson, who’s one of the nation’s 10-best guards, according to Rivals and 247. Simpson didn’t attend the Junior Day events at Clemson and South Carolina, because of a wrestling tournament. Along with the instate schools, Georgia, LSU and Louisville have offered.