A look at Clemson’s defensive big board before signing day
By: Gavin Oliver January 15, 2017

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, The Clemson Insider takes a look at Clemson’s recruiting board on defense.

Clemson’s 2017 class is currently comprised of 13 commitments, the program’s smallest number since Dabo Swinney signed his famed “Dandy Dozen” as a first-year head coach in 2009. However, the class is currently rated No. 13 in the country by 247Sports and No. 15 by Rivals.com.

While the class is nearly complete, Clemson could potentially add another signee on Feb. 1.

Here is a position-by-position look at Clemson’s defensive big board ahead of signing day:

DE – Signing (3), Committed (3)

Clemson continues to stockpile elite talent along the defensive line. The Tigers landed a trio of touted defensive end commits in this class from Virginia Beach (Va.) four-star Jordan Williams, Shelby (N.C.) Crest four-star Justin Foster and Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern four-star Logan Rudolph.

Rudolph, who is rated as a top-five prospect in South Carolina, committed to Clemson on May 7. Williams, the nation’s No. 4 defensive end according to Rivals.com, committed to Clemson over Virginia, Virginia Tech and Tennessee on Aug. 6. Foster, a top-100 prospect per 247Sports, chose Clemson over Georgia and Tennessee on Oct. 10.

Foster is a versatile player who expects to be a hybrid end-slash-linebacker at Clemson, while Rudolph could ultimately end up as an outside linebacker. Rudolph arrived on campus this week as an early enrollee.

DT – Signing (0)

Clemson opted not to take a defensive tackle in this cycle. A handful of defensive tackles in the 2018 class hold offers from Clemson, including Richburg (S.C.) Lewisville four-star Josh Belk and Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller three-star Aeneas Hawkins.

LB – Signing (1), Committed (1)

Calhoun (Ga.) three-star Baylon Spector is Clemson’s lone commit at linebacker. The three-star standout played all over the field for Calhoun High during his time there, lining up at quarterback, running back and safety as well as linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder became Clemson’s first commitment in the 2017 class when he pledged in August 2015. Spector is the son of former Clemson receiver Robbie Spector, who played under Danny Ford in the late 1980s. Spector is an early enrollee, as well.

S – Signing (0-1)

Clemson appeared to be in the best position to add a safety pledge from Xavier McKinney, but the Roswell (Ga.) four-star surprised and re-committed to Alabama on New Year’s Day after initially committing to the school in September 2015 before re-opening his recruitment the following July.

Clemson was in contention with several top safety prospects before backing off of them as they ratcheted up the pursuit of McKinney. Now, it isn’t likely Clemson will sign a safety in the 2017 class. Even with the departure of Jadar Johnson to the NFL, Clemson has good depth at the position heading into next season. With much more talent at the position available in the 2018 class than at this stage of the current cycle, it would make sense for Clemson to wait.

CB – Signing (2), Committed (2)

Clemson is set to sign the No. 2 and No. 10 prospects in Georgia in Atlanta-Westlake five-star corner A.J. Terrell and Roswell four-star corner LeAnthony Williams, respectively.

Williams committed to Clemson in February over Georgia, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Florida. Terrell followed suit on Aug. 19, picking the Tigers over Florida and South Carolina.