Clemson is in the process of expanding the 2027 recruiting board at defensive end, with the Tigers handing out two new offers this week.
Four-star Santana Harvey (Lakeland, FL) went public with his offer on Tuesday, a development that was a few weeks in the making.
After defensive ends coach Chris Rumph visited Harvey early during the contact period last month, the wheels were put in motion for the blue-chip talent to get back to campus. Harvey has now scheduled an official visit to Clemson for the weekend of May 29-31.
“We were just talking, and we both just felt like it was right,” Harvey told The Clemson Insider. “I could have scheduled it for any other time, but that is the big weekend.”
Harvey also says it’s possible he makes it back to campus even earlier than that. Maybe even the Elite Retreat on March 7. Kentucky, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas are some of the other schools he is looking to check out this spring.
“Possibly, I am trying to see all the schools and get everything organized,” Harvey said. “I will definitely be out on the road this spring, March through April. I have to get that scheduled out. I might try and get up there for that or maybe a spring practice.”
In total, Harvey has close to three dozen offers. 247 ranks him No. 137 overall and No. 15 among all defensive linemen in the class.
Harvey first visited Clemson last summer when he worked out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp. He then returned for the season opener against LSU. Despite having just picked up his offer, those first two visits had the 6-foot-4, 235-pound pass rusher holding the Tigers in high regard.
In fact, after his initial visit last summer, Harvey called Clemson the “best place” he’d visited to date.
“Clemson is still high on my list for sure,” Harvey said. “I really enjoyed that game. The hospitality, the atmosphere, everything. There are some other visits I have went on that ranked high, but Clemson is definitely up there for sure.
Since then, there have been others to make strong impressions, with both Georgia and Florida State strongly in the mix. Harvey also already knows he will give the Seminoles an official visit in June.
However, there is something about Clemson that genuinely intrigues him, and Rumph is a big part of the reasoning.
“It is just the family aspect,” Harvey said. “They make me feel like family when I come. Plus, Coach Rumph is kind of like a father figure. I look at Coach Rumph in that way. He is a really great guy. He is another big reason I am so high on Clemson. The relationship is great. Ever since I met him, it has just taken off from there.”
Photo by Bart Boatwright