CLEMSON — One of Clemson’s top offensive line targets will be back on campus next month.

Four-star Carter Jones (Poquoson, VA) is set to return for the Tigers’ big season opener against LSU on August 30. It will mark the second straight season that he’s been in attendance for a home opener at Death Valley.

Jones was last on campus for a session of Dabo Swinney’s high school camp in early June, when he officially picked up his offer from Clemson. He has now visited multiple times over the past year, and for this visit, there is one specific thing he wants to see.

“I am hoping that Clemson beats LSU,” Jones told The Clemson Insider. “That is one of the biggest things. I want to see them beat LSU really badly.”

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound recruit is also looking forward to getting some face time with Matt Luke. Since coaches could start contacting players in the 2027 class directly back in June, the Tigers’ offensive line coach has already built quite the bond with not just Jones but both of his parents. Assistant offensive line coach Carson Cramer is also playing a significant role for Clemson in this recruitment.

“It has evolved a lot, because now I am getting to hear more about him, hear from him more,” Jones added. “He has been able to talk to my family more and text my mom. My mom just absolutely loves him. Same with my dad. They have a group chat that they are always texting in. They are growing a great relationship, and so I am with him and coach Cramer.”

Jones has watched on as Luke has put together one of the best groups of offensive linemen in the 2026 class. Clemson currently holds six commitments from offensive linemen, with all six ranking as four-stars.

Seeing Luke having that talent already in place makes the Tigers that much more intriguing. Not to mention, Jones already has existing relationships with two of the current commits.

“It helps a lot,” Jones said. “It shows that you have a lot of high-character, high-profile guys going to the same school as you. What also really helps is that I know a lot of those dudes. I know Carter Scruggs. I know Braden Wilmes. I have known him for almost two years now. These are people you are already friends with, so you are already more comfortable with them.”

Then there is the improvement already seen on the field with the Tigers’ offensive line under the guidance of Luke. Jones got a firsthand look at it in the home-opener last season when he visited for the blowout win over App State.

“I am seeing all these Clemson fans saying how much praise they have for Matt Luke,” Jones said. “Everyone is saying that he has really flipped the script for the offensive line. I have noticed a difference, too. At the App State game, I noticed they had like 15 pancakes as a group. It was kind of nuts.”

Being one of the top offensive line prospects in his class, it’s no surprise that some of the best programs across the nation are in pursuit. Jones currently has more than 30 offers.

Along with Clemson, it is Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin that Jones identified as the schools he’d say are recruiting him the hardest these days.

However, there is something that helps separate the Tigers from the rest of the pack.

“The culture at Clemson stands out a lot to me,” Jones said. “It always has since ever since I went there as a freshman. Their culture really has stood out the most.”

Jones is looking to make a decision sometime before the start of next summer. Possibly in May or early June. That would allow him to take a few official visits before announcing a commitment.

While there are bound to be some twists and turns before he makes that ultimate decision, Clemson has staying power in this one.

“They are still up there, really high on my list,” Jones said. “They are a school I am really taking seriously.”