Four remaining positions Clemson football will target in 2021 recruiting cycle
The 2021 Clemson football recruiting class just recently suffered its second decommitment of the cycle- the most in quite some time- and it’s clear that the Tigers still have some work to do as we head down the stretch.
Though the NCAA Dead Period for recruiting visits will still be in play for more than a month, the Clemson football coaching staff is still working to lock up key recruits and finish off this class positively.
Current, the Tigers are ranked as the No. 8 overall class in the nation and the No. 2 class in the ACC, just behind the North Carolina Tar Heels, according to the 247 Sports Composite Team Rankings.
Here’s a look at the four positions Clemson football will be most heavily recruiting as we have already passed the middle of July and are slowly approaching August.
4. Offensive Line
First, the Tigers are still looking to fill a spot or two on the offensive line.
Clemson currently has a commitment from 4-star OG Marcus Tate and 4-star C Ryan Linthicum. The key position they’re targeting now, specifically, is offensive tackle.
Though they could add another interior offensive lineman, it’s much more likely that we see Clemson desire to bring in at least one offensive tackle with the potential for two.
The top prospects:
- Tristan Leigh, 5-star OT
- Nolan Rucci, 5-star OT
These are the two guys Clemson is zeroing in on currently. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a few more targets add offers later, but the Tigers want to hit on at least one of these two OTs, and it would just be icing on the cake if they could somehow come away with both.
3. Defensive Tackle
While Clemson may still be keeping its eye on 5-star DE Korey Foreman, who decommited from the Tigers a few weeks ago, the Tigers have already filled their allotted number of spots at defensive end with 4-stars Cade Denhoff and Zaire Patterson.
That means they’re really zeroing in on bringing in one defensive tackle.
Top Prospects:
- Payton Page, 4-star DT
There’s really only one top prospect right now and that’s the big, monstrous Payton Page.
Page, who is set to announce his decision at the end of this month, is deciding between Clemson, Tennessee and North Carolina. Though the Tigers are considered the leader, the Vols have made a heavy run as of late.
Clemson will have to go back to the drawing board if it doesn’t land Page, but it seems the staff feels pretty confident as we inch closer to his decision.
2. Safety
The Tigers don’t currently have a safety in this class and the goal is to at least add one.
There has been some speculation that Clemson football could add two in this class, but one is the baseline number.
Clemson lost out on one prospect- 4-star Khari Gee- who many believed was heavily considering the Tigers, but there are some other talented options.
Top Prospects:
- Andrew Mukuba, 4-star S
- Kendal Daniels, 4-star S
- Corey Collier, 4-star S
- Derrick Davis Jr., 4-star S
The two most likely names linked to Clemson right now are Andrew Mukuba and Kendal Daniels. Both of these guys are heavily considering the Tigers and would be big-time pick-ups.
1. Cornerback
The position that, perhaps, is the least-filled at the moment is cornerback. While we could see the Tigers take two safeties, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that they want to take two cornerbacks.
They only took in one last recruiting cycle- 5-star Fred Davis II- and they’re now looking to build depth at the position moving forward.
4-star CB Jordan Hancock was a previous commit, but recently decommited from the Tigers, leaving the position completely vacant for Clemson football.
Top Targets:
- Nyland Green, 4-star CB
- Jason Marshall, 4-star CB
- Nathaniel Wiggins, 4-star CB
- Kamari Lassiter, 3-star CB
Don’t be surprised if the Tigers dish out another offer or two in the coming months as they look to fill the position. The top target on this board currently is 4-star Nyland Green. While Green is a real possibility for the Tigers, he isn’t set to make a decision any time soon.
The same could be said about a few others on this board.
Clemson is going to have to address the cornerback position this recruiting cycle and that will be the most intriguing portion of this class as we head down the stretch.