Last fall, Andrew Beard and Clemson were trending in opposite directions.
The four-star running back (Prince Avenue Christian, GA) released a list of his top five schools in October, a few weeks after visiting for the season-opener against LSU, with Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alabama all making the cut. Clemson was nowhere to be found, seeing as the Tigers had yet to offer.
However, after CJ Spiller made two stops in to see him during the contact period last month, with Dabo Swinney accompanying him on the second one, things have changed. Beard now has his offer. He is just one of two running backs in the 2027 class to hold an offer from the Tigers.
Not only does Beard now have the offer, but he says he’s also feeling like a top priority. On Monday, he released a new list of four finalists, and this time, Clemson was included. Georgia, Florida and Tennessee also made the revised list.
“I have really started a strong relationship with Coach Spiller and Coach Morris,” Beard told The Clemson Insider. “And with Coach Swinney coming to the school, I feel like I am a main priority in the class.”
Beard is now set to visit Clemson twice in the coming months. As previously reported by TCI, the 5-foot-10, 192-pound back plans to be on campus March 7 for the Elite Retreat. He has now also locked in plans to be at the big official visit weekend, May 29-31.
Official Visit Schedule
- Clemson: May 29-31
- Florida: June 4
- Georgia: June 12
- Tennessee: June 19
As a junior, the 5-foot-10, 192-pound back rushed for close to 1,300 yards, with 13 touchdowns. He went over 100 yards six times and averaged 7.8 yards per carry. He also reeled in 31 receptions for 450 yards, with five touchdown grabs.
247 ranks the Navy All-American No. 63 overall, No. 4 among all running backs and No. 6 in the state of Georgia.
Photo by Bart Boatwright