Andrew Beard is one of the top running backs in the 2027 recruiting class, so it should come as no surprise that he’s been on the Clemson radar for quite some time.
However, despite the Tigers recruiting him hard, the four-star back (Prince Avenue Christian, GA) had yet to pick up an offer.
Running backs coach C.J. Spiller made a stop by Beard’s high school last week, but with the rising high school senior in Texas for an All-American game, the two didn’t have a chance to connect. On Thursday, Spiller reached out by phone, and Beard officially became the second running back in the 2027 class to secure an offer from Clemson.
“I was starting to think it wasn’t going to happen,” Beard told The Clemson Insider. “Of course, it felt great, especially because I really enjoy Clemson. I really like being there. For Coach Spiller to finally go ahead and offer, it felt amazing, though.”
Beard also got a chance to speak with Chad Morris on Thursday, and he believes the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator played a pivotal part in the timing of the offer.
“I think Coach Morris played a big part in that,” Beard said. “I definitely really like him. He brings a different kind of energy that the offense will need. He really focuses on running the ball, so I think that would be good. I think Coach Morris was a good hire.”
Beard has already visited on multiple occasions, with the last one coming for the season-opening loss to LSU. As many were, he was surprised at how the Tigers’ 2025 season played out.
At the same time, Beard views it as a one-off and says it doesn’t hurt Clemson in his eyes.
“There is a culture built up there, and one bad season does not really define you,” he said. I would not say one season affects all that. It was a down year. They are still producing talent every year. The culture is so amazing.”
Beard has already set his next visit to campus. He plans to return for the Elite Retreat on March 7, and as things stand right now, he doesn’t see any reason why Clemson wouldn’t get one of his official visits in June. After he takes all of those, he plans to sit down and make a decision before the start of his senior season.
This next visit will give him a much closer look at the inner workings of the program, and that is something he is very much looking forward to.
“Just getting to talk to the coaches on a more personal level,” Beard added. “Game-day visits, you don’t really get to talk to them like that. At camp, they are more focused on developing the player. So, sitting down and talking to all the coaches should be a good experience, especially since they have a new assistant running backs coach and a new offensive coordinator. It is good to see new faces.”
Beard is the nephew of former Georgia standout running back Garrison Hearst. He currently has more than 30 offers, with many coming from some of the bigger programs in the country.
247 ranks the 5-foot-10, 192-pound prospect No. 63 overall, No. 4 among all running backs and No. 6 in the state of Georgia.
As a junior, the 5-foot-10, 192-pound back rushed for close to 1,300 yards, with 13 touchdowns. He went over 100 yards six times and averaged 7.8 yards per carry. He also reeled in 31 receptions for 450 yards, with five touchdown grabs.
And now he is officially one of Clemson’s top running back targets, and the interest is high on both sides.
“Just the brotherhood they have,” Beard said. “Everybody is really super-close at Clemson. Coach Dabo is big on that. Especially the schooling part of it. That is really big for me and my family. My mom is always pushing me in school. Every player that comes through Clemson graduates, and that is really amazing.”
Photo by Dawson Powers