The Clemson Insider rounds up the latest recruiting news and notes surrounding the Tigers:
Twin pledges add Clemson offers. Clemson offered twin brothers and Notre Dame commitments Justin and Jayson Ademilola on Friday. The four-star defensive linemen from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peters Prep have been committed to Notre Dame since last June and visited the school for its Junior Day over the weekend. Clemson has offers to play with, and while the staff may like their film, we believe they’re firm in their pledges.
Clemson offers rising 4-star LB. On Saturday night, Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange 2018 four-star outside linebacker Payton Wilson announced an offer from Clemson. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has seen his stock soar in recent weeks. Alabama, Georgia, Michigan State, Auburn, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State and Clemson have all offered since Jan. 27, respectively.
As a junior in 2016, Wilson had 127 tackles, including 39 for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, four passes defensed and a blocked field goal. Also a standout on the other side of the ball, he recorded 13 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns while rushing 84 times for 756 yards and six scores. He could play either outside linebacker or tight end at the next level, though Brent Venables and Clemson are among the majority looking at him at linebacker.
Wilson most recently visited Clemson for the South Carolina game in November and is expected to return for the Tigers’ second Junior Day of the year on March 4. He visited North Carolina for its Junior Day in January.
He will release a list of his top seven schools soon, and we think Clemson will make the cut. Clemson, of course, already carries two commitments at linebacker in the 2018 class in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star Mike Jones and Central (S.C.) Daniel four-star Jake Venables.
Quick hitters.
** IMG Academy five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas will visit South Carolina for its Junior Day on Feb. 25. He attended Clemson’s Junior Day last month, as well. The nation’s No. 2 2018 recruit from Florence, S.C., has publicly named Clemson and South Carolina as his finalists.
https://twitter.com/atxlete/status/830871865279275008
** Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad attended Oklahoma State’s Junior Day on Saturday. The top target on Clemson’s board at tight end who holds over 30 offers made the long trip for Clemson’s Junior Day last month.
https://twitter.com/MustaphaM_/status/830865309674459136
** Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan Catholic 2018 five-star linebacker and Clemson target Teradja Mitchell will visit Georgia on Feb. 18 and Alabama the weekend after next. Mitchell announced his top 11 schools on signing day, with Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Ohio State, LSU, Penn State, Southern Cal and Florida State making the cut. Mitchell told us recently that he should be visiting Clemson “very soon.”
** IMG Academy four-star defensive end target Stephon Wynn from Anderson, S.C., picked up an offer from Miami on Feb. 8 after adding one from Alabama on Jan. 30. Tampa (Fla.) Cambridge Christian four-star offensive tackle target Richard Gouraige collected an offer from Virginia Tech on Friday.