When Dre Quinn committed to Clemson on Friday, it filled a significant need for the Tigers in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

After losing a couple of defensive linemen to decommitments in the 2025 class, Dabo Swinney chose to add defensive end Will Heldt from the transfer portal to provide a boost to a position that was a weakness last season. Clemson did sign one four-star in Ari Watford in the last class, but he tore an ACL before arriving on campus.

TJ Parker is draft-eligible after the upcoming season, and it looks like he could potentially be a high-round pick next April. That means hitting on one of their top targets was a must, and Quinn certainly fits that bill. Rivals ranks him just outside of the Top 100 and No. 13 at the position.

Even better, Clemson beat out Texas for the blue-chip talent, and after all the defections the Tigers dealt with last year, this is a recruiting win that proves the Tigers can swing a pretty big stick on the trail. Although, to be fair, they’ve had several of those kinds of recruiting wins in the 2026 class. However, beating out Texas head-to-head for a player at a position of need just hits a little differently.

At 6-foot-4, Quinn has the ideal length, and he possesses the explosiveness most coaches crave at end. His long frame will also allow him to add more mass and strength as his body continues to physically mature. You can see his film here.

“Quinn is a raw but highly projectable edge rusher with the frame and athleticism to become a three-down player in a Power Four defense. His ability to bend the edge and convert speed to power is rare for a 230-pound prospect.” – ESPN’s Recruiting Analyst Tom Luginbill

The Tigers also landed a commitment from three-star JR Hardrick, giving them two commitments in the current class. Clemson is also still waiting on a decision from four-star Bryce Perry-Wright, who is scheduled to announce on July 4. Perry-Wright is certainly capable of playing outside, meaning the Tigers could end up with three ends in the class.