Tate on What Drew Him to Clemson, How Much He Considered Miami
By: Gavin Oliver October 18, 2023

A former four-star and top-115 national prospect in the 2021 class, Marcus Tate committed to Clemson back on Sept. 24, 2019, choosing the Tigers over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon and many others.

Fast forward to the present, and Tate is now a junior who has appeared in 30 games across his first two-plus years at Clemson and made 25 starts for the Tigers to date.

The 6-foot-5, 325-pound offensive guard met with the media on Monday and reflected on what attracted him to Clemson during the recruiting process as a native of Sunrise, Fla.

“So for me, I think it was just I needed a change of culture. When you go down there (to Florida), it’s a lot of city life and a lot of people. And I think for me, I was just looking for something different, something that I wasn’t used to, just so I could get exposed to it, have a different perspective of life, but also just a place where I could focus,” Tate said.

“Because it’s hard to focus in the city at times because there’s a lot of things to do, especially as a 20-year-old. So, I think for me to come here (to Clemson), it was a place where I know I can focus on because there’s not too much in Clemson compared to where I’m from. And just allow me to focus on my work, focus on my schoolwork and just working hard every day.”

Saturday’s game at Miami will be a homecoming of sorts for Tate, who played his first three years of prep ball at NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) before finishing up at Tru Prep Academy in Miami Gardens, Fla. – where Hard Rock Stadium, home of Hurricanes Football, is located.

The former highly sought-after Sunshine State recruit was asked how seriously he considered going to Miami.

“Coming out of high school, they had a good shot,” Tate said. “But I mean, I think I was just looking for something different coming out of high school. I was ‘All In’ at that point, once I committed here.”

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