CLEMSON — A fast-rising linebacker made his first visit to Clemson over the weekend.
2028 prospect Ryan Peterson (Hough, NC) made the trip to the Upstate to take in the Tigers’ 24-10 win over ACC rival Florida State.
The electric atmosphere the sold-out crowd provided really resonated with the young linebacker. With the team coming into the matchup at just 3-5, Peterson came in not really knowing what to expect from the home crowd.
“Honestly, the atmosphere stood out the most,” Peterson told The Clemson Insider. “Even with them having to face some adversity, the fans still came out and showed the team love. That was amazing. It was the craziest atmosphere I have seen.”
Peterson has already taken game-day visits to Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Florida State. All schools with rabid fan bases, so calling Clemson the best atmosphere is some high praise.
Watching the team run down the hill in person was something else that struck a chord.
“It is a great school,” Peterson said. “Even them running down the hill — that is something you see on TV. But when you see it on TV, it doesn’t look that real. I didn’t realize it was that narrow. It is real steep-like. I would love to do that.”
Peterson also got to spend some time with linebackers coach Ben Boulware, and during the visit, the two realized they had something neat in common.
“We got to chop it up and talk about football, the system, and stuff for about 30 minutes before the game,” Peterson said. “Then I saw him in the locker room after, and we spoke again. He was showing a lot of love. I am checked in with him now. Me and Coach Ben, we have the same birthday.”
Peterson attends Hough High School. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Former 2026 Clemson target Samari Matthews attends the same school. Matthews was the Tigers’ top cornerback target until he announced a commitment to Texas back in the summer.
“That is one of my best friends on the team,” Peterson said. “He helped me get in sync with the system, even with him being a cornerback. He showed me love. He told me I would love Clemson, and he wasn’t lying. I love the school a lot. But he has always supported me.”
Through nine games of his sophomore season, Peterson has been credited with 59 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks. He’s also picked off two passes and recovered two fumbles.
While he is still extremely early in the process, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker has already picked up offers from SMU, Florida State, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and Alabama.
Clemson won’t start offering players in his class until June, but after his conversation with Boulware on Saturday, Peterson thinks he just might get one of those calls when they start going out.
“Oh my god, that would be a blessing,” Peterson said. “Because they do the slow recruiting. If you get an offer, you are one of their guys and they love you. Coach Ben told me he could not wait to call me on June 1, and that was real surreal.”
Photo by Bart Boatwright