Momentum is shifting its way back towards the Upstate.

Since 2009 — Dabo Swinney’s first full calendar year as head coach at Clemson — South Carolina has won a majority of the instate recruiting battles. But the Tigers are starting to make their presence felt within the borders of the Palmetto State.

According to the 247 rankings, Clemson signed more top-10 prospects from the 2015 class than South Carolina. That’s happened only one other time since Swinney took over as head coach.

South Carolina signed half of the state’s 10 best players in 2009: Stephone Gilmore, DeVonte Holloman, Damario Jeffery, Alshon Jeffery and Chris Payne. Clemson got Brandon Thomas and J.K. Jay.

From the 2010 haul, the Gamecocks landed Marcus Lattimore, Bruce Elington, A.J. Cann and Kelcy Quarles, though Ellington originally signed as a basketball player. Nearby stars Martavis Bryant and DeAndre Hopkins opted to stay close to home and chose Clemson.

Clemson and South Carolina went head-to-head in 2011 for Jadeveon Clowney, Brandon Shell, Phillip Dukes, Shon Carson and Jarrell Adams. The Gamecocks signed all five, plus Shamier Jeffery. Clemson nabbed several instate prospects that year, including Charone Peake, Lateek Townsend and Tony McNeal.

In 2012, South Carolina added Shaq Roland and Kwinton Smith while Clemson picked up Cordrea Tankersley, Ronald Geohaghan, Martin Aiken and Shaq Lawson. Javarius Leamon, the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, was a long-time Clemson commitment, but he signed with S.C. State due to academic concerns.

A year later, D.J. Park, Bryce King and Gerald Turner chose South Carolina over Clemson. However, the Tigers won Ben Boulware and Mike Williams.

Donell Stanley, Dexter Wideman, Shaq Davidson and K.C. Crosby picked the Gamecocks in 2013. Cannon Smith and Jae’lon Oglesby didn’t surprise anyone when they committed to Clemson.

South Carolina signed Shameik Blackshear and Zack Bailey, but Clemson took home most of the best prospects: Albert Huggins, Noah Green, Kelly Bryant and Kaleb Chalmers.

So far, Clemson holds a 2-1 advantage in the 2016 class: Tavien Feaster and Nyles Pinckney. South Carolina’s only top-10 pledge is Bryan Edwards. John Simpson is still on the board, and the Tigers are thought to be the team to beat for John Simpson, but the battle between the two schools continues.

The 2017 haul qualifies as a down year in the state. Perhaps that’s one reason why Will Register is the only 2017 instate prospect that’s already committed — the Chapin tight end jumped on board with South Carolina earlier this summer. Clemson is in good shape for Union wide receiver Shi Smith. Lake Marion safety Davondre Robinson is the only other top-10 prospect the Tigers have offered.

The 2018 class is shaping up to be much better, particularly at the top. Florence-Wilson defensive end Xavier Thomas, Lewisville defensive tackle Josh Belk, Rock Hill-South Pointe athlete Derion Kendrick, Fort Dorchester athlete Dakereon Joyner and Daniel linebacker Jake Venables all have offers from Clemson. Only time will tell if the momentum continues for another few years, but the Tigers are in strong position for Kendrick, Joyner and Venables. The Clemson staff made favorable first-impressions on Thomas and Belk earlier this summer, so there’s reason to believe the Tigers have a legitimate shot at both.