CLEMSON – The 2024 recruiting class is bringing in a plethora of talent for Clemson, but one thing it’s also doing is bringing in is size.

No position is a greater example of that than defensive end. The Tigers are set to lose Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll to the NFL, so it’ll be a changing of the guard and the two freshmen are towers.

Darien Mayo and Adam Kissayi both stand at 6-foot-7 and head coach Dabo Swinney sounded amazed talking about the two during his signing day availability.

“Both these dudes are 6-foot-7. I mean, just absolute giants when you see them. Man, Darien is a high-level player. He’s got a bright future, had a great year this year.” Swinney said.

Mayo is a four-star signee and he’s been committed to Clemson since June for his official visit. Kissayi is a different story, and Swinney talked at length about that recruiting process and what it meant to him.

“He’s a neat story. Yeah, he shows up at our camp, and not only did he come, he came for three days. And I’ll never forget taking the picture with him at The Rock. You know, I mean, you look at him when he comes in, and he said he was coming to get a scholarship offer to Clemson. And I said, Well, okay, well, I’m gonna be here every day. So we’ll see what happens. And, you know, he’s here for three days. He didn’t miss anything. He really won us over in camp. I mean, he’s got long range potential,” Swinney said.

Swinney said the Florida native has things “you can’t coach” with size, speed and his ability to bend even with his stature. He went on to describe him as the “perfect guy” to come in with this class.

While it may take time, the Tigers have insured their future at defensive end with this pair and it’ll be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks to try and look over the two.