A talented edge defender from the Volunteer State got to experience Death Valley for the first time last month.

Page High School (Franklin, Tenn.) outside linebacker Eric Hazzard was on hand as an unofficial visitor for Clemson’s 31-20 victory over North Carolina on Nov. 18.

The class of 2025 recruit participated in the Dabo Swinney Camp over the summer, when he started building relationships with the Tigers. But this was his first gameday visit to Clemson, and he came away very impressed.

“I thought it was very well organized and they truly knew what they were doing, and you didn’t feel left out,” Hazzard said of the visit. “As far as the atmosphere goes, it was unreal. The amount of fans that were there, it was just an environment that you dream of playing in — you had fans of all ages there yelling for the Tigers, and it was very special to be a part of!

“The brotherhood in the locker room, both before and after the game, was a true family. You always hear about Clemson football and how good they are, and it all starts with your head coach that gives his all for the team.”

Hazzard, a 6-foot-3, 238-pound junior, traveled to Tiger Town with his parents.

“They both really enjoyed it. They both said it was one of the top environments we have been to,” Hazzard said. “They really enjoyed hearing some of the stories from the coaches and past players and just hearing what Clemson football is about! They have a great program that develops boys into men.”

Hazzard, who holds half a dozen Division 1 offers, feels the Tigers are interested in him at this stage of the recruiting process based on what he’s heard from the staff.

“But they are going to take the best of the best. I have a point to prove, and part of that is the relationships I build with the coaching staff at Clemson,” Hazzard said. “They have a way of doing things and I think I fit their system very well from a football player to a young man.”

Charlotte, UAB, Western Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky have all offered Hazzard, who said he has also been communicating with schools such as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Memphis, Wisconsin and Virginia Tech.

Hazzard is hoping for an offer from Clemson moving forward and would be thrilled to have the chance to play for the Tigers in the future.

“The biggest thing that has set Clemson apart from everyone else is they took their time to make sure everything is good and I have been hearing from them the most, and it just makes things a lot better when you know they are interested,” he said. “Another thing is they were straightforward with me and honest. At the end of the day, God is going to put me where I am a best fit for and I trust in his process for me and my family.”

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