The commitment of Kesahwn Stancil was a big one for Clemson.

First and foremost, with DeMonte Capehart entering his final season and Peter Woods draft-eligible after the season, Nick Eason needed to restock the cupboard, so to speak. Not to say the Tigers don’t already have a lot of talent at defensive tackle, but there’s always a need to build for the future.

Stancil is listed at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds. However, in person, he looks closer to 6-foot-4 and closer to 270. To put it another way, he is a physical presence. And he can flat out move for a player that size, running a 4.6 forty.

One look at his film and it is easy to see how Stancil accumulated more than 40 offers. He is explosive, wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines. His motor never stops running, and he never gives up on a play. His athleticism is off the charts, as evidenced by his ability to excel both inside and outside for his Clayton High School team.

Stancil is the second take at defensive tackle for the Tigers in the 2026 class, joining three-star Kam Cody. His addition to the class also gives Clemson a boost in the recruiting rankings. He is Clemson’s second-highest-rated recruit per On3, coming in at No. 73 overall. Only four-star wideout Naeem Burroughs ranks higher. The class is currently firmly entrenched inside the Top 10 nationally.

And Stancil might not be the final interior defensive lineman the Tigers land in this class. Five-star Bryce Perry-Wright will announce a decision on July 4. Perry-Wright is one of those guys who could play inside or out at the next level. Either way, if that one were to go Clemson’s way, Eason will have put together a stacked class of prospects.

Photo courtesy of Keshawn Stancil on Instagram