CLEMSON — Matt Luke has put together one of the best classes of offensive linemen for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Luke secured commitments from six different blue-chip targets before the end of June, meaning the Tigers already have their class locked up before the end of the summer. In a world where the recruiting process has become increasingly transactional, the veteran coach still prefers to take an old-fashioned approach.

“You want to have a good time, you want to build those relationships, and you want to build that connection,” Luke said during Clemson’s annual media outing at the Allen J. Reeves Complex on Tuesday. “What that does, when you step on the field and it is time to go, they know this guy cares about them. To me, if you know somebody cares about you, then you can coach them way, way harder.”

“The more connection you have, the harder you are going to play for each other. The more you know about each other, the harder you are going to play for each other. I don’t think that is anything unique. I just think it takes the time to build those relationships.”

There is no denying that Clemson takes a different approach to the recruiting process than most other schools. The belief is that relationships still take precedence.

It’s a philosophy that many have questioned whether or not it could be sustained in the NIL era, but Luke continues to prove that the old way can still yield the desired results.

“In this day and age, the transfer portal, NIL, relationships still matter. It just does,” Luke said. “The more you care about one another, the more you build that camaraderie within the unit — I just think if there is a secret sauce, that is it.”

And that is the part Luke enjoys the most. Not just bonding with the players themselves, but also their families.

There will be wins and there will be losses, but at the end of the day, Luke has proven time and again that his way still works.

“I enjoy that part of it, I enjoy meeting the families,” Luke said. “Building those relationships. I think that is kind of why you do what you do. It is about relationships and helping these young men. They all got goals and dreams and they want to reach a certain level. Really, I am just trying to help them get there.”