The Clemson Insider recently caught up with one of the country’s top offensive line prospects in the 2026 class, who returned to Tiger Town during the season.

Avon Lake (Ohio) High School five-star Maxwell Riley made an unofficial visit to Death Valley for the Nov. 18 game against North Carolina, and he came away very impressed after the experience on campus.

Reflecting on the visit, Riley said the “home-style feel” at Clemson really stood out to him.

“I feel like it’s just the definition of Southern hospitality. It just feels like home,” he said. “Everyone there, it’s great people. It’s the best way I can put it, and it’s really exciting to be there and get to experience it.”

Riley is rated as a five-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite, which considers him the nation’s No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 14 overall prospect in his class.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound sophomore has been staying in contact with Clemson through his coach.

“There’s still mutual interest, but they kind of have to re-evaluate with the new offensive line coach,” Riley said. “It’s going to take time because they’re obviously wrapping up the ‘24 class, then ‘25s and then eventually my class.”

Of course, Clemson’s new offensive line coach is Matt Luke, who was formally named to the position in early December.

It’s a hire that impressed Riley after he did some research on Luke.

“I was looking at his pedigree, and it’s pretty impressive,” Riley said. “He coached at Georgia for the national championship team (in 2021). Head coach at Ole Miss, so he’s obviously got a lot of experience. Coached up (former Ole Miss OL) Laremy Tunsil, one of the best offensive linemen – I think he’s the highest-paid in the NFL. So, obviously he knows what he’s doing.”

Prior to visiting Clemson for the UNC game, Riley traveled to campus last June. He hopes to make a third trip to Tiger Town if the opportunity arises.

“I’d love to get down for another visit,” he said. “Like spring practice or something would be great.”

Along with Clemson, Riley visited Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan and Florida State during the season.

Clemson has yet to offer any 2026 recruits, but Riley has offers from all the other aforementioned schools, as well as Boston College, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Adding Clemson to that offer list moving forward, Riley said, “would definitely be huge.”

“I love what they bring to the table as a program, even just off-the-field stuff,” he said. “They’re big on faith. They’ve got the 5th Quarter (P.A.W. Journey program), which is life after football, which is big because I’m not going to be playing football forever. So, just to be a program that cares about you more than as a football player is a blessing, and to receive an offer from them, I’d be honored.”

What will Riley bring to the table for the college football program he ends up playing for down the road?

“I can promise that I’m going to work my best to be the best I can possibly be for the team,” he said. “I think I bring a lot of versatility because I can play tackle, guard and center at the next level I think. I practice center, practice guard, play tackle now. But senior year, I might just rotate through all of them.”