Clemson is showing interest in this big Mississippi lineman, and the interest is certainly mutual.

While recruiting in the Magnolia State recently, Tigers offensive line coach Matt Luke stopped by Nanih Waiya High School (Louisville, Miss.) to see class of 2026 offensive tackle Grant Kitchens.

“To get a visit from Coach Luke was pretty cool!” Kitchens told The Clemson Insider. “Knowing he is from right here in Mississippi is something, for him to come from Clemson and make a point to come see me means a lot!”

Kitchens has plenty of respect for Luke, a Mississippi native and former Georgia assistant and Ole Miss head coach.

“I think he is a great coach, I have kept up with him since his coaching days at Ole Miss and his time at Georgia!” Kitchens said. “Some info he shared with me is to keep working on my skills as a lineman, that all the coaches at Clemson liked my film and my size. Told me that they would love to get me up to a camp and see me work out in person.”

The 6-foot-8, 295-pounder intends to do just that and travel to Tiger Town for the Dabo Swinney Camp this summer.

“I have never been to Clemson but I would love to visit the university. I plan to make it to a day camp this June,” Kitchens said. “Looking forward to meeting other coaches and getting to check some of the campus out.”

Kitchens, a rising junior, received his first offer from Mississippi State in January and figures to draw more and more attention as he moves forward in the recruiting process.

His recruitment is still in the young stages, and Clemson has yet to start offering recruits in the 2026 class, but Kitchens is definitely interested in the Tigers as well.

“I have interest in Clemson, it’s still early in my recruitment and they have just as good of a chance as anyone,” he said.  “My ‘motto’ is go where you are wanted, if I am not wanted by a program then I don’t want them. I value getting to know coaches better than just the normal meet and greet. Clemson historically has been a great program of what I have seen with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence in my time.”

The Tigers won’t start pulling the trigger on 2026 offers until next month, and Kitchens doesn’t have a problem with Clemson’s methodical and patient approach to the recruiting process. He would be pumped to have the chance to play for Swinney’s program and be coached by Luke down the road.

“I hear that Clemson doesn’t offer early and that’s OK. If that’s how they do business then that’s on them,” he said. “I would be honored to earn a scholarship from Clemson. When I think of the ACC, Clemson is one of the first teams in my head, and to play for Coach Dabo and Coach Luke would be awesome!”

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