CLEMSON — One of the fastest-rising defensive linemen in the Palmetto State returned to Clemson recently.

2027 three-star Jaden Wuerth (Dutch Fork) was back on campus when the Tigers opened the season against LSU.

One of the biggest things to stand out was the rowdy environment that comes along with a capacity crowd. The visit also allowed Wuerth the chance to get some face time with defensive coordinator Tom Allen and defensive tackles coach Nick Eason.

“It went good. I liked it a lot,” Wuerth told The Clemson Insider. “Especially the atmosphere. It was electric, for sure. And it was good seeing coach Eason, coach Allen, and all the coaches again.”

Wuerth also visited for a game last season and worked out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp back in June.

Another thing that caught Wuerth’s attention on the latest visit was how well the defense played.

“I thought the D-line played great,” Wuerth said. “I thought the defense was improved a lot. Played a lot better than they did last year. I feel like that is because of Tom Allen, and also the talent they have.”

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound recruit gets another look at Clemson this weekend when he visits Georgia Tech. The Tigers are set to open ACC play on the road against the Yellow Jackets. South Carolina, Miami, NC State, Duke and Florida State are other schools Wuerth is looking to get to during the season.

Miami and Penn State both offered last week, to go along with offers from South Carolina and Georgia Tech.

While Clemson has yet to pull the trigger on an offer, Wuerth is certainly a candidate to land one at some point in the future.

“They just want to keep building the relationship,” he said.

“Their whole recruiting process is different than everywhere else. It is more important for them to build a relationship with you and get to know you first before they offer or anything like that. That is important to me, as well.”

This is Wuerth’s first season at Dutch Fork. He transferred in from Aquinas (GA), where he racked up 147 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and 42 quarterback hurries during a stellar sophomore campaign.

It was the kind of season that puts players on the map with some of the big boy football program. Now that he is playing at the 5A level in South Carolina, the competition will be stiffer, and the hope is to bring that kind of production to the Silver Foxes.

Do that, and the offers will continue to come, possibly even one from Clemson.

“It would mean a lot, especially with them being close to where I live right now,” Wuerth said. “It would be a great option. I love what they’ve built with the culture and the coaching staff. I feel like they could make me a great player and get me to the next level.”