Shavar Young Jr. became one of the first commitments in Clemson’s 2026 recruiting class when he gave his verbal pledge to Dabo Swinney’s program on Aug. 2 of this year.

The Clemson Insider recently caught up with Young, who is currently the Tigers’ lone defensive commit in the 2026 class. The four-star prospect plays on both sides of the ball at Webb School of Knoxville (Tenn.) but will be a defensive back for the Tigers.

Now a few months removed from his commitment, Young reflected on his college decision – and looking back on it, he has no regrets about that decision to choose Clemson and suit up for cornerbacks coach Mike Reed down the road.

“Being a Clemson commit has been a blessing. I feel like I made the right decision,” Young told TCI.

The 6-foot, 180-pound junior chose the Tigers over a slew of other offers, including other finalists Oregon, Kentucky and the hometown Tennessee Volunteers.

“The biggest reasons [for wanting to be a Tiger] was the family atmosphere that Clemson provides and life outside of football,” Young said. “Another reason was that coach Reed develop DBs and puts them in the league.”

What has Young been hearing from Reed and Clemson’s coaching staff of late?

“I’ve just been hearing about how the future is bright and things are just going to keep getting better,” he said.

Young is currently one of three commitments in Clemson’s 2026 class, along with Queen Creek (Ariz.) four-star quarterback Tait Reynolds and Spain Park (Birmingham, Ala.) three-star quarterback Brock Bradley.

It’s early in the 2026 cycle, but Young is optimistic about the potential of the Tigers’ 2026 class when it’s all said and done in the future.

“I feel like we have a chance to have a good class,” he said. “I haven’t met any of the other commits in person yet but I think we will click and have a great bond.”

Now that he’s All In with Clemson, Young is putting his recruiting cap on and doing his part to help court some of the Tigers’ top targets.

“I’ve been in contact with some other guys in my class,” he said. “[McCallie School/Chattanooga, Tenn. four-star CB] Chas Smith, [Carvers Bay/Hemingway, S.C. four-star OL] Zyon Guiles, and [Hough High School/Cornelius, N.C. four-star CB] Samari Matthews.”

Young recently returned to Tiger Town for the Louisville game on Nov. 2. He is ranked by Rivals as the No. 153 prospect in the country for the 2026 class regardless of position.

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