Clemson saw its lone remaining tight end target in this cycle come off the board last week when Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star Mustapha Muhammad committed to Michigan. However, the possibility of the Tigers taking a second tight end in the 2018 class to pair with commit Braden Galloway doesn’t appear to be completely off the table.
Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley’s Nigel Fitzgerald plays wide receiver for his team and worked out at that position at the Dabo Swinney Camp in June.
But after being invited to attend Clemson’s game against Boston College last month, he met with members of Clemson’s staff including area recruiter Robbie Caldwell and learned that the Tigers are looking at him at a different position.
“I’ve been in contact with Coach Caldwell the most,” Fitzgerald told The Clemson Insider. “On my visit he talked about the possibility of me being recruited at the tight end/H-back position with my size, versatility, and also the possibility of me gaining some more weight in order to play that position in their offense.”
Fitzgerald (6-5, 210) has a lengthy list of offers from smaller schools. In August, he named Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Howard, James Madison, Marshall and Old Dominion as his top six schools.
The senior hopes to make a decision by the end of November and plans to sign in December.
Clemson could shake things up in his recruitment with an offer before then.
“It would definitely affect my recruitment a lot,” Fitzgerald said. “As a kid, Clemson and Florida were my two dream schools, and earning a Clemson offer has always been a dream of mine.”
Fitzgerald’s visits to Clemson for the Swinney Camp and Boston College game simply reinforced his affection for the Tigers.
“I absolutely loved those visits,” he said. “From the facilities to the coaching staff to the campus to the game environment, it made Clemson the best visit I have been on by a long shot.”
As a junior last season, Fitzgerald caught 25 passes for 462 yards and six touchdowns.
He hails from the same school as Clemson defensive end Chris Register.