A defensive lineman from the state of Alabama made his return to Clemson this weekend.

Three-star DT Cavin Bates (Cleburne County) was on hand for the Tigers’ 20-16 loss to Virginia Tech on Homecoming. He was last on campus back in the summer when he worked out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp.

“I had an amazing time at Clemson,” Bates told The Clemson Insider. “I love what Coach Dabo has planned for the team and love the way they connect with me and make me feel like family.”

Bates announced an offer from Clemson after working out at camp.

“We were in defensive line drills, and Coach Dabo came over there and pulled me out,” Bates previously told TCI. “He said, ‘You are a class of ’28, right?’ He said, ‘ Your uncle coaches at Oklahoma, right?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ Then he said, ‘You are going to be our fifth offer right here because you are the best D-tackle here.’ He kept coming up to me in one-on-ones, and I had a few more words with him.”

The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is the nephew of former Clemson and current Oklahoma assistant Todd Bates.

Bates, who holds offers from Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and NC State, among others, has also visited Mississippi State and Georgia Tech this season.

Through nine games, Bates has 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hurries and seven sacks.