With the early signing period set to begin just over two weeks from now, Clemson’s 2026 recruiting class is all but done.
The class currently features 20 committed prospects, with six of those being offensive linemen. The Tigers also hold verbal pledges from three wide receivers and two quarterbacks.
The class currently ranks No. 16 nationally, but just third in the ACC, behind both Miami and Florida State.
2026 Commits
- Four-star QB Tait Reynolds
- Three-star QB Brock Bradley
- Four-star WR Naeem Burroughs
- Four-star WR Gordon Sellars
- Four-star WR Connor Salmin
- Four-star OL Leo Delaney
- Four-star OL Chance Barclay
- Four-star OL Grant Wise
- Four-star OL Adam Guthrie
- Four-star OL Carter Scruggs
- Four-star OL Braden Wilmes
- Three-star TE Tayveon Wilson
- Three-star DT Kam Cody
- Three-star DE JR Hardrick
- Four-star LB Brayden Reilly
- Four-star S Kentavion Anderson
- Four-star S Kaden Gebhardt
- Three-star CB Shavar Young Jr
- Three-star CB Marcell Gipson
- LS Jackson Reach
The Tigers are also still awaiting decisions from three-star CB Julian Peterson, a former Penn State commit, who took an official visit over the weekend and three-star DE Michael Foster, who is currently committed to Penn State.
While the staff has filled a lot of holes, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, there are several that will still need to be addressed before the start of next season. That means a need to hit the transfer portal.
It all starts with the quarterback position. Yes, you have two coming in, but neither is viewed as a day one starter, and Reynolds has missed most of his senior season injured, which has almost assuredly slowed his development.
Assuming Chris Vizzina is back, he is still an unknown commodity at this point, despite the fact that he will be entering his fourth season with the program. Chris Denson, who is redshirting this season, is even more of an unknown commodity and was extremely raw when arriving on campus.
After the way this season has played out, Dabo Swinney probably doesn’t want to spend the offseason selling the fan base on hope and potential at the most important position on the field. Quarterback should absolutely be viewed as a need.
Clemson doesn’t have a running back committed in this class and has not even made much of an effort to land one after missing on four-star Jae Lamar in the summer. With Adam Randall out of eligibility after the season, that is one potential hole to be filled.
However, most of the gaps are on the other side of the ball. The Tigers are already fairly thin at DE, and with TJ Parker likely headed off to the NFL, there will be an immediate need there next season. While Hardrick will be coming in, he’s not likely to be an immediate impact player. Neither is Foster, even if they do eventually land him. With that in mind, expect the staff to look to the portal to fill that need.
The biggest needs might just be in the secondary. With four-star safety Blake Stewart decommitting a few weeks back, that leaves the Tigers one short. And we’re talking about a team that’s had its share of issues at safety this season. Anderson is one of the highest-rated recruits in the class, and could easily see the field early, but Clemson still needs some veteran help here.
The same can be said for corner. Even with Young and Gipson on board, there is still a need for one more, no matter what happens with Peterson. The roster is currently short on the longer, athletic corners.
Photo by Bart Boatwright