Clemson Recruiting Class Moving Up Rankings
By: Jason Priester May 26, 2026

Clemson’s recent momentum on the recruiting trail has vaulted the Tigers up in the national rankings.

With the addition of four four-star blue-chip talents over the past week, Clemson has gone from outside of the Top 30 to No. 15 at Rivals.

Safety Jarrell Chandler, running back Gary Walker, wide receiver Jamarin Simmons, offensive lineman Carter Jones and tight end Carter Blackwell all announced verbal pledges over the last eight days. All rank as four-star prospects except Blackwell, who is a three-star. The Tigers are also trending heavily for multiple other recruits who are set to be on hand for the big official visit gathering this weekend.

Chandler, Walker and Simmons all rank favorably at Rivals. As does four-star LB Bryce Kish, four-star QB Kharim Hughley and four-star wideout Trey Wimbley.

247 doesn’t view the class the same way. After Blackwell’s announcement, Clemson’s class did move up to No. 17 in the Composite Rankings there. Per the those rankings, Simmons ranks inside the Top 100, with Walker and Kish both inside the Top 200.

The biggest difference at 247 is with Hughley. He’s only a three-star at that service and ranked as the No. 29 quarterback in the class. Rivals ranks him No. 208 overall and No. 17 among the quarterbacks. For what it’s worth, ESPN slots Hughley as the fifth-best dual threat QB in the class.

No matter which service you prefer, there is no doubt the Tigers are moving in the right direction. And it is coming at an opportune time, seeing as there wasn’t a whole lot of good news recruiting wise during the spring. With the big official visit gathering on deck this weekend, expect that momentum to continue because there are multiple targets the Tigers are trending with.

2027 Commits (Rivals Rankings)

  • 4-star WR Jamarin Simmons No. 101 overall, No. 19 WR
  • 4-star LB Bryce Kish No. 117 overall, No. 10 LB
  • 4-star RB Gary Walker No. 159 overall, No. 8 RB
  • 4-star QB Kharim Hughley No. 208 overall No. 17 QB
  • 4-star WR Trey Wimbley No. 251 overall No. 38 WR
  • 4-star S Jarrell Chandler No. 307 overall, No. 29 S
  • 3-star OL Carter Jones No. 403 overall, No. 29 IOL
  • 3-star DL Jaden Wuerth No. 419 overall, No. 44 DL
  • 3-star LB Max Brown No. 472 overall, No. 40 LB
  • 3-star S Harrison Luke No. 561 overall, No. 53 S
  • 3-star CB Christian Chancellor No. 685 overall, No 74 CB
  • 3-star TE Carter Blackwell No. 892 overall, No. 46 TE

Last year’s class finished No. 21 at Rivals and No. 20 at 247.