Clemson is often described by recruits and their families as feeling like “family” or “home” – and that was certainly the case for Carter Scruggs.

Scruggs, now a true freshman offensive lineman for the Tigers, appeared on an episode of Clemson Football’s 2 Right Turns podcast and explained what attracted him to Clemson during the recruiting process as a four-star prospect from Leesburg, Va.

Scruggs pointed to the family feel – a central part of the program’s culture cultivated by head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff.

“Really just the family here – just the people, the campus, the coaches. It just feels like family here,” Scruggs said of what drew him to Tigertown.

Offensive line coach Matt Luke specifically played a key role in helping land Scruggs, who committed to Clemson on June 5, 2025, choosing the Tigers over other finalists Michigan, Penn State and Georgia, among his close to three dozen total offers.

“I think it played a huge role in me committing here,” Scruggs said of his relationship with Luke. “Ever since he started following me on Twitter, then after camp when he offered me and started calling every week and texting and everything, I think that played a huge role. Especially with his track record of just developing guys – that really made Clemson an attractive program for me.”

Scruggs was ranked by 247Sports as the seventh-best prospect in the state of Virginia and the No. 18 interior offensive line prospect nationally for the 2026 recruiting class.

Before enrolling early at Clemson in January, Scruggs played his high school ball at Loudoun County (Va.), where he was a multi-time all-state honoree and two-year team captain who did not allow a sack across his junior and senior seasons. He helped power Loudoun County to a Class 4 regional semifinal berth in 2024 and to the program’s first regional championship one year later.

Scruggs possesses a skillset that translates well to playing different positions along the O-line.

“I think just my athleticism, just being able to use that at guard, at tackle – shoot, maybe even center,” he said.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder prides himself on being a high-motor offensive lineman with relentless effort who wants to block until the whistle and dominate in the trenches.

“Just my motor and ability to finish. I love to just finish guys and move people against their will,” Scruggs said.

“I think I’ve kind of always just naturally had it ever since I started playing football,” he added of his high motor. “It just came natural to me.”