Reece Honaker has been working out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp since he was a youngster.

Each summer, the 2027 lineman out of Radford High School (VA) makes the trek south to the Upstate of South Carolina, looking to improve his skillset under the tutelage of what he thinks is the best coaching staff in the country.

Honaker plays both ways for his high school team, starting at defensive end and on the offensive line. Up until this summer, he always worked out at defensive end. This time around, he worked with the offensive linemen.

“This was my first time working with the O-line and it was amazing,” Honaker told The Clemson Insider. “Just learning from coach Matt Luke. He’s one of the best in the country. It was just a blessing to be able to learn from him and what he has to offer.”

It was a decision that paid off, with Honaker learning a lot from the Tigers’ offensive line coach.

“He is a really great coach,” Honaker said. “He was really just encouraging to all the players. No matter what their skill set was. If they knew a lot of skills or didn’t know any, he was always encouraging. Then, also just pointed out the little things and things that I need to do so I could get better. That’s what really stood out to me.”

While Prep Red Zone ranks Honaker as one of the ten-best defensive linemen in the state of Virginia, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound prospect is still early in the recruiting process. He took a game-day visit to Virginia Tech last fall and has camped at Tennessee, along with his trip to Clemson. He also has stops planned for Virginia Tech, Virginia, James Madison and Liberty. He also has invites to Wake Forest, West Virginia and Ole Miss that he is currently trying to work into his schedule.

However, no matter where this recruiting journey may take him, Honaker remains hopeful that the final destination is Clemson, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to turn that dream into reality.

“It would mean so much to me,” Honaker said. “Clemson’s been my dream school since I was little. I just love the environment there, and especially all the coaches, because they’re the best in the country. So that would mean so much to me.”

Photo of Reece Honaker courtesy of Bart Boatwright