CLEMSON — Clemson has added a late surprise to the 2026 recruiting class.

Three-star in-state DE Michael Foster (Indian Land) revealed during a ceremony at his school on Wednesday that he has flipped from ECU and signed with the Tigers. Foster has been committed to the Pirates since July.

“A kid that has been on our radar a long time,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “We felt like he was a little bit of a tweener early, but just kept on developing. He has just had some kind of (senior) year.”

Clemson offered Foster in early November, with West Virginia also offering late.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect becomes the second defensive end to sign, joining three-star JR Hardrick. His addition gives Clemson a total of 20 signees in the 2026 class.

“I hate comparing people, but the best that I can do from a high school standpoint, they see him a lot like Shaq Lawson. Or Jahiem, but a bigger version of Jahiem at this stage,” Swinney added. “This kid is much further along, like Shaq. He is a bigger, heavier kid.”

Foster was credited with 131 tackles during his senior campaign, adding 26 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, two passes defended and one fumble recovery.

“He has an incredible motor,” Swinney said. “He is physical. He is heavy-handed. We think he is an elite pass rusher. That is really what we see him as.”