ESPN Ranks Clemson’s ’25 Class Among Nation’s Very Best
By: Staff Report January 26, 2024

On Wednesday, Clemson added an elite prospect to its 2025 recruiting class, which is ranked among the very best classes in the country.

ESPN updated its 2025 team recruiting rankings (subscription required) on Thursday, and the Tigers’ talented class checks in as the third-best nationally behind only LSU at No. 1 and Notre Dame at No. 2.

Clemson picked up a huge commitment Wednesday from Maury (Norfolk, Va.) four-star defensive end Ari Watford, who is now the highest-ranked prospect in the Tigers’ class. ESPN ranks him as the No. 3 defensive end and No. 32 overall prospect in the country.

With Watford’s pledge, Clemson owns eight commitments in its 2025 class to date, including seven ESPN Junior 300 commits (ranked among the nation’s top 300 prospects in the class by ESPN).

On the offensive side of the ball, Clemson’s highest-ranked pledge according to ESPN is Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, Va.) four-star running back Gideon Davidson, who is the No. 49 overall prospect in the ESPN Junior 300.

Along with Davidson and Watford, the Tigers have commitments from four-star defensive lineman Amare Adams (No. 82 overall in ESPN Junior 300), four-star quarterback Blake Hebert (No. 157), four-star athlete Marquise Henderson (No. 238), four-star offensive lineman Easton Ware (No. 241), four-star tight end Logan Brooking (No. 274) and three-star wide receiver Carleton Preston.

Here’s what ESPN’s Craig Haubert had to say about Clemson’s 2025 class:

“The Tigers have checked several boxes with commitments at different positions. They already have a pair of running backs in this class in Davidson and in-state prospect Marquise Henderson. Davidson has a nice blend of size, speed and power while rushing for 2,700 yards with 43 touchdowns this season. Henderson, at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, is more slightly built, but is explosive with big-play speed and was very productive as a junior, rushing for over 2,300 yards.

“Quarterback Blake Hebert missed most of his junior season with an injury, but he has good size and a smooth, compact delivery who moves well and can extend plays. On defense, Watford gives them a lengthy player with good initial quickness that can develop into a disruptive edge rusher. In the trenches, defensive tackle Amare Adams is the top-ranked player in the state.”

Georgia (No. 4) and Ohio State (No. 5) round out the current top five in ESPN’s 2025 recruiting class rankings.