The Clemson Insider takes a look ahead at Clemson’s top safety targets in the 2018 class:
Despite the loss of first-team All-ACC senior safety Jadar Johnson, Clemson will return good talent at the position next season. Safety/linebacker Korrin Wiggins will be a senior, Van Smith will be a junior, Tanner Muse and Denzel Johnson will be redshirt sophomores, K’Von Wallace will be a true sophomore and Isaiah Simmons will be a redshirt freshman.
Clemson isn’t likely to take a safety in the 2017 class after losing out to Alabama for Roswell (Ga.) four-star safety Xavier McKinney. Here are the top names at the position in the 2018 class we’re tracking as it stands now:
Brendon Harris, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor School):
Harris, a four-star and top-100 prospect according to both 247Sports and Rivals, received his first offer from Clemson after impressing at the Dabo Swinney Camp last June. LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt have followed suit since. Harris likes Clemson’s campus and coaching staff, and he has of course taken notice of the Tigers’ recent success. More offers are on the way for Harris, but expect Clemson and in-state Tennessee to be top contenders for his services until all is said and done in his recruitment.
Atanza Vongor, Grand Prairie, Texas (South Grand Prairie):
Vongor is rated as a top-150 prospect by 247, the No. 151 prospect by Rivals and the No. 195 prospect in ESPN’s Junior 300. The four-star standout has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Clemson, Georgia, Houston, Michigan, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M among others. Clemson offered in May. Vongor told TCI last month that TCU and Alabama are two of the schools recruiting him the hardest, and that TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M were his leaders at the time. Clemson defensive backs coach Mike Reed made a good impression on Vongor when he delivered the offer, and he likes what Clemson is building as a program. The in-state pull of the Texas schools may be tough for others to overcome, but look for Vongor to at least visit Clemson down the road.
Leon O’Neal, Cypress, Texas (Cypress Springs):
Clemson offered O’Neal, the No. 141 prospect in ESPN’s Junior 300, on Monday. The four-star prospect and 6-foot-2, 190-pounder also owns offers from Alabama, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, Syracuse, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Toledo, Tulsa and UCLA. O’Neal most recently visited Texas A&M for Junior Day, and he reportedly had a great visit, with the Aggies now standing out to him. Overall, he is open to a lot of schools, and there is a lot he wants to see. As a junior, O’Neal posted 116 tackles and two interceptions.
Isheem Young, Philadelphia, Pa. (Imhotep Institute):
Clemson offered Young, a four-star prospect, today. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder’s offer sheet is comprised of over 20 schools and highlighted by Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Wisconsin marked Young’s first offer in the spring of 2015. Young is a physical player who doubles as a running back for Imhotep. Penn State and the other Big 10 schools figure to be prominently involved here.