One of the few remaining targets for Clemson in the 2026 class has come off the board.

Three-star in-state DE Frank Whitley (Greenville) announced a commitment to Florida State on Tuesday, choosing the Seminoles over Clemson, South Carolina and Alabama, among others.

Whitley last visited Clemson for the Syracuse game and would pick up his offer less than two weeks later.

While the 6-foot-7, 265-pound edge is in the midst of his first high school season playing football, it didn’t take long for some of the bigger programs in the country to take notice. Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Auburn were some of his other offers.

The Tigers’ 2026 class currently features 20 verbal pledges, but just one from a defensive end. Four-star DE Dre Quinn (Buford) decommitted in September, leaving three-star JR Hardrick as Clemson’s lone commit at the position.

Photo by Bart Boatwright