Clemson, SC – May 18, 2025
After a turbulent 2025 recruiting cycle that saw Clemson fall short of its usual standards, head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have bounced back in a big way, assembling one of the most impressive 2026 classes in the country. With 15 verbal commitments already in the fold as of mid-May, the Tigers are gaining momentum on the trail and are firmly back in the national spotlight, currently ranked inside the Top 5 nationally by 247Sports and ESPN.
The 2026 class is shaping up to be offensive-heavy, with a particular focus on bolstering the trenches and perimeter skill positions. Here’s a detailed look at Clemson’s commits to date, starting with a marquee offensive line pickup:
✅ 2026 Clemson Commitments: Prospect Breakdowns
1. Chancellor Barclay
•⭐ 4-star Offensive Lineman
•📍 Orlando, FL (Edgewater HS)
•📊 Ranking: No. 116 overall, No. 9 OL (247Sports)
•📅 Committed: March 2025 (Elite Retreat)
Scouting Report:
Barclay is the centerpiece of Clemson’s O-line haul so far — a 6’4”, 290-pound technician with elite footwork and a nasty streak in the run game. His commitment was a statement win, beating out Alabama and Oregon in a fierce recruitment. Barclay’s ability to play both tackle and guard gives offensive line coach Thomas Austin plenty of flexibility as the Tigers retool their front.
📝 The full class breakdown continues below, and additional profiles will be detailed in future updates, but here’s a quick summary of where things stand:
🔢 Quick Snapshot of Clemson’s 2026 Class (as of May 18):
No. Player Position Stars Hometown/School Notable Offers
1 Chancellor Barclay OL ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Orlando, FL (Edgewater) Alabama, Oregon
2 Terrance “TJ” Moore Jr. WR ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tampa, FL (Tampa Catholic) Georgia, Ohio State, FSU
3 Marcus Wynn OL ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Atlanta, GA Florida, Michigan, Auburn
4 KJ Bolden Jr. DB ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Buford, GA LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M
5 Eli Rowe EDGE ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Charlotte, NC Tennessee, Miami, Ole Miss
6 Andre Knox WR ⭐⭐⭐ Columbia, SC Virginia Tech, South Carolina
7 Jameson Pierre QB ⭐⭐⭐⭐ West Palm Beach, FL Miami, Penn State, Arkansas
8 DeSean Harris TE ⭐⭐⭐ Richmond, VA Maryland, UNC, Duke
9 Malik Sanders RB ⭐⭐⭐ Tallahassee, FL Louisville, UCF, Mississippi St
10 Grant Whitaker LB ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nashville, TN Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss
11 Tyler Jamison OL ⭐⭐⭐ Greenville, SC NC State, Wake Forest
12 DJ McDowell CB ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Warner Robins, GA Alabama, Auburn, Clemson commit
13 Isaiah Boone WR ⭐⭐⭐ Hampton, VA Syracuse, ECU
14 Carter King DL ⭐⭐⭐ Birmingham, AL Missouri, Arkansas
15 Nathaniel Cole OL ⭐⭐⭐ Durham, NC Pitt, Virginia, App State
🔍 Key Recruiting Notes & Remaining Targets:
•Top Remaining Targets:
•Mike Matthews (ATH, GA) – 5-star, would be a take regardless of position count.
•Elijah Rushing (EDGE, AZ) – Recently offered; national top-25 prospect.
•Zayden Turner (S, TX) – Clemson among final five.
•Class Themes:
•Heavy investment in OL and WR, showing a clear strategy to rebuild the offense from the inside out.
•Focus on speed and versatility at skill positions and secondary.
•Expanding the recruiting footprint — recent offers in Arizona, Texas, and California.
•National Ranking:
•According to 247Sports Composite, Clemson’s 2026 class ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 2 in the ACC, trailing only Florida State.
•ESPN and On3 also have Clemson firmly in the Top 6, with potential to rise further depending on summer commitments.
🗣️ Final Thoughts:
Dabo Swinney and his staff clearly took the lessons from a down 2025 cycle to heart. With 15 commits and counting, including several top-150 national prospects, the Tigers are proving they still know how to recruit at a high level.
Clemson is far from finished for the 2026 cycle — and with several elite targets still in play, Tiger fans should stay tuned. Momentum is real, and this class has the makings of something special.
ALL IN — and climbing.
