CLEMSON — When spring practice begins later this month, coaches will get their first look at Clemson’s retooled secondary.

The backend of the Tigers’ defense was a weak link in 2025, and moves were made in the transfer portal to upgrade the talent level at corner. Eliott Washington II was brought in from Penn State and Donovan Starr from Auburn, to go alongside returning players Ashton Hampton and Branden Strozier. Corian Gipson is also back after seeing a lot of action at the nickel over the back half of last season.

Clemson also signed two cornerbacks as part of the 2026 recruiting class, and both enrolled early and will take part in spring practice. While neither is what one would classify as a bigger-bodied corner, both play a little bigger than their size.

Shavar Young Jr. was a two-way guy in high school. He was a finalist for Mr. Football in the state of Tennessee after totaling 2,169 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. He recorded 50 tackles, a pick-six and two forced fumbles on the defensive side. Young, who Clemson lists as 5-foot-11, also helped his high school team win a state title in basketball as a junior.

“I think this kid has a chance to be a very good player,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “He is a very dynamic athlete. A guy that has had to do a lot of things. He is a good basketball player. He has played multiple positions. He is just a really good athlete. He is a competitor.”

As dynamic as he is, Young has some work to do if he plans on being a part of the rotation in 2026. Some of that will have to come in the weight room. Mike Reed has routinely shown he won’t hesitate to give some of his younger corners opportunities if they’ve earned them in practice. Maybe Young can earn a look at nickel, which is a job that appears to be wide open.

Marcell Gipson, who Clemson lists at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, is the other corner who signed back in December. Obviously, he’s also got some work to do when it comes to adding a little bulk. Gipson’s size probably hurt him a little when it comes to the recruiting rankings, but the film shows a guy who has really good coverage skills.

Maybe it turns out that he needs a year to physically develop, but at the end of the day, there’s a lot to like about Gipson.

“Marcell is a true corner,” Swinney said. “He can run. He just has a great natural ability to play the corner position.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright