To this point, Clemson has offered just two tight ends in the 2027 recruiting class.
Four-star Jaxon Dollar (E. Lincoln, NC) earned one of those offers back in June after working out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp.
“It’s a blessing,” Dollar told The Clemson Insider. “I’m lucky to have a lot of love and support around me who believe I can play at the next level, but to have a team like Clemson say you’re one of two guys that we are heavily interested in, that means a lot to me.”
Dollar has visisted Clemson on multiple ocassions, and he has grown to have a great appreciation for the culture Dabo Swinney has cultivated inside of his program.
“I would say Clemson’s culture has a real, what my momma calls, ‘southern hospitality,'” Dollar also said. “They won’t let just anybody in their house, but the ones they can trust. They take care of you.”
The 6-foot-5, 222-pound tight end now plans to return on Saturday when the fourth-ranked Tigers host No. 9 LSU to kick off the season.
“I’m really just looking to get a feel for the atmosphere and build better relationships with the staff,” Dollar added. “Looking forward to seeing how the coaches interact with the guys in the heat of it all. You can tell a lot about a team by the way they handle adversity.”
Considered one of the top players at his position, Dollar already sports close to 30 offers in total. Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and South Carolina are just a few of the other schools to have already offered.
The blue-chip talent is hoping to narrow his list down after the season and have a decision made at some point next summer.
“I just want a good experience,” Dollar said. “Balancing ball, school, my family, campus environment, and setting my future up. I’m thinking about all of that.”
As a sophomore, Dollar had 13 catches for 224 yards. Six of those grabs went for touchdowns.
Now that he is a junior, his role is expected to expand, and if his season-opener is any indication, Dollar is in store for a big season. He had touchdown receptions of 75, 45 and 15 yards last week, while also adding a sack on the defensive side of the ball.
“Clemson is obviously one of my favorites, but I don’t have a ranking or anything like that.”
Photo courtesy of David Siegler