Clemson added a few late pieces to its 2026 recruiting class on Wednesday, finishing with a class of 23 prospects.
As documented previously, both On3 and the 247 Composite rank the class No. 20 nationally. Those numbers do not include transfer additions.
While that ranking is certainly a little lower than it probably needs to be, that doesn’t mean the news is all bad. The staff absolutely hit on some guys in this class, and the Tigers should be better for it.
Today, we dig a little deeper into the class, position by position. Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball, where the staff mostly saw excellent returns on their recruiting efforts.
Quarterback: Four-star Tait Reynolds, Three-star Brock Bradley
The needs were met here, and with two players that are probably a little better than the rankings would suggest. Reynolds turned in a good performance at last year’s Elite 11 and was probably in for a substantial ratings bump had he turned in a senior campaign similar to the one he experienced as a junior. Unfortunately, an injury robbed him of most of his final season.
Reynolds displays a ton of upside. He has a strong arm, and he moves around extremely well. He’s also physically equipped. However, missing his senior season also robbed him of some valuable development. It will be interesting to see exactly where Reynolds is after the spring.
Bradley more than proved himself at Spain Park, a 6A school in Alabama. Listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds, his size was probably held against him some when it comes to the recruiting rankings. However, this kid can play, and the film backs that up.
Bradley can make all of the throws, and he’s accurate. He also has an extremely high football IQ. He will need to add some bulk to his frame, but he might end up being a steal as the second QB take in the class.
While neither is likely to be a plug-and-play type of quarterback, there is a lot there for new offensive coordinator Chad Morris to work with.
Grade: B
Running Back: None
The Tigers took some big swings in this class, but missed on all of them. After not landing four-star Jae Lamar in the summer, the staff elected not to pursue a new target.
Chris Johnson Jr. was added via the portal, and he is certainly a more polished option than anyone Clemson could have signed through the high school ranks. Seeing as he has multiple years of eligibility left, this is a move that erases the sting of not signing a high school back.
Having a crowded room that features rising sophomore Gideon Davidson, no doubt, made it harder to land a top-flight back, but at the end of the day, it’s risky when choosing not to sign one at all.
The staff has to start getting better results on the trail. Running back recruiting has been hit or miss over the past few years.
Grade: F
Wide Receiver: Four-stars Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin, Gordon Sellers, Three-star Cam Blivens, Keil McGriff (unranked)
Tyler Grisham continues to kill it on the trail. The Tigers signed three blue-chip talents during the early signing period, with each having an extremely high upside. Burroughs was arguably the crown jewel of the class. He has elite speed and is your prototypical slot receiver. He has also excelled as a return man. If there is one player in this class who feels like a guarantee to make a quick impact, it’s Burroughs.
Salmin is another burner, having run a 10.44 100M. That is moving. He averaged 18 yards per catch as a senior. His ability to stretch the field will be an asset.
While Sellers isn’t quite as fast as the others, he’s still pretty dang quick. He registered a 10.93 in the 100M. His film also shows an ability to create separation.
Blivens and McGriff are developmental guys. Blivens was a two-sport star in high school who could have played basketball at the next level.
Once again, kudos to Grisham. It’s not easy to put a class of wideouts of that caliber together these days when you have players like T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco already on the roster.
Grade: A
Tight End: Four-star Tayveon Wilson
Most years, Clemson signs one tight end per class, and that was the case this year, with Wilson being the lone player at the position. He committed very early, and credit to him for staying that way.
Wilson, last year’s MaxPreps Player of the Year in West Virginia, might be one of the more underrated players the Tigers signed. He was a do-it-all type of guy throughout his high school career, playing quarterback, running back and receiver/tight end on the offensive side of the ball. Listed at 205 pounds, he will need to add some weight, but the potential is there.
Grade: B
Offensive Line: Four-stars Chance Barclay, Leo Delaney, Adam Guthrie, Carter Scruggs, Grant Wise, Three-star Braden Wilmes
Make Luke also absolutely raked, putting together one of the best classes of offensive linemen in the country. All six are capable of contributing at some point. Some sooner than others.
Barclay and Wise are guys who could see the field sooner rather than later. All six are big and strong. Just as importantly, they are all athletic and can move well for their size.
Grade: A
Photo by Bart Boatwright