The Clemson Insider takes a look ahead at Clemson’s top defensive end targets in the 2018 class:

After losing three defensive ends to the NFL after the 2014 season and two more after the 2015 season, Clemson is set to return all of its contributing ends next season. Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant are rising juniors, Richard Yeargin and Chris Register are rising redshirt juniors and Clelin Ferrell is a rising redshirt sophomore.

The Tigers will sign a pair of defensive ends in February in Virginia Beach (Va.) Cox four-star Jordan Williams and Shelby (N.C.) Crest four-star Justin Foster. Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern four-star Logan Rudolph is also listed as a defensive end by some recruiting services.

Clemson is in contention with several of the top defensive end prospects in the 2018 class. Here are the biggest names we’re tracking as it stands now:

Xavier Thomas, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy):

Thomas, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2018 class behind Clemson five-star quarterback commit Trevor Lawrence, announced in December that he plans to choose between Clemson and South Carolina after taking official visits to both schools next season. After transferring from Wilson High, Thomas will play his senior season at IMG Academy, where he will join Clemson 2018 linebacker commit Mike Jones and fellow Clemson D-end target Stephon Wynn, a Clemson lean (see below). Thomas set social media abuzz after news of Clemson defensive ends coach Marion Hobby’s departure to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars broke on Wednesday night, when he tweeted that it “will most definitely effect my recruitment.” Speaking with a source close to Thomas’s camp, TCI was told the latest development in Thomas’ recruitment “doesn’t sound good.” Clemson was believed to have made up considerable ground with Thomas before the coaching change. Time will tell how Thomas reacts once a replacement is named and the staff has a chance to continue to work the relationship. There is plenty of time for Clemson to make a strong push for Thomas once the new defensive staff is finalized.

Justin Mascoll, Snellville, Ga. (South Gwinnett):

Clemson was the first school to offer Mascoll when he was in middle school. Now, the five-star holds nearly two dozen offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee. Mascoll last visited Clemson in November for the South Carolina game. In December 2015, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder listed a top four of Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia in no order. Clemson and Georgia are two of the top contenders right now. Mascoll is rated by 247Sports as the No. 19 overall prospect in his class, the No. 3 prospect in Georgia and the No. 1 weak-side defensive end.

K.J. Henry, Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth):

Clemson was the eighth school to offer Henry in March. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound five-star has around 25 offers in total, including ones from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. The No. 15 prospect in the country per Rivals visited Clemson for Junior Day in March before returning for the Louisville game in October. Clemson and Ohio State are a couple of the schools standing out to Henry right now. Alabama and North Carolina are squarely in the mix, as well.

Stephon Wynn, Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna):

A local product, Wynn has offers from all over the country, including ones from Clemson, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. Clemson offered Wynn in March, and the son of former Clemson tight end Stephon Wynn senior visited the school on several occasions this season. Wynn has long been viewed as a heavy Clemson lean.

Brenton Cox, Stockbridge, Ga. (Stockbridge):

Clemson extended one of Cox’s 15-plus offers in October. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder’s offer sheet is highlighted by Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Tennessee and Virginia Tech among others. The No. 143 overall prospect according to Rivals visited Clemson for the Syracuse game in November, and he named Clemson as one of his top 10 schools before the Tigers offered. Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Virginia Tech also made the list. We believe Clemson is higher on Cox’s pecking order than just the top 10.

Dorian Hardy, Montvale, N.J. (St. Joseph’s)

Hardy is another name worth noting. Clemson offered Hardy in May, and earlier this month, the top-150 prospect dropped a list of his top 10 schools that included Clemson, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech in no order. He hasn’t visited Clemson, but told TCI in October that he planned to “soon”. Clemson’s coaches have expressed their interest in Hardy, and he has reciprocated it.

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