Five 2021 signees who are coming to start immediately for Clemson football
The Clemson football staff has officially signed all 18 commitments to the 2021 recruiting class and now the work begins for a new group of freshmen.
The Tigers signed seven defensive players and 11 offensive players during the Early National Signing Day Wednesday morning in what has been one of the most unique recruiting experiences in the history of the sport.
Dabo Swinney spoke to the media about the challenges and unique changes that had to be made for the Tigers to recruit during the pandemic and, in the end, they were able to sign a top-five level class with tons of promising young talent.
Here’s a look at five 2021 signees who are coming into the Clemson football program looking to get starter-level snaps immediately.
4-star WR Troy Stellato
Cornell Powell and Amari Rodgers are going to be gone after this season, at least that’s the belief. The Tigers will return some boundary options like Justyn Ross (hopeful), Frank Ladson Jr. and Joseph Ngata, but the slot is going to be wide open.
Brannon Spector will be expected to fill that spot, but he’s going to have stiff competition and 4-star WR Troy Stellato is the perfect candidate.
Stellato has the opportunity to come in right away and use his elite level speed and shiftiness to get on the field early and often.
4-star S Andrew Mukuba
Andrew Mukuba is one of just three recruits that Dabo Swinney has never met in person.
Mukuba, a Texas product, has loved Clemson football and wanted to be a Tiger far before he committed to the program, but Swinney said he was slowing the recruitment down in the hopes that they could get Mukuba on campus and build the relationship a little more.
In the end, recruiting in-person was never allowed and the Tigers made the right decision to take Mukuba.
Now, Mukuba enters a safety group that has plenty of returners including Joseph Charleston and Lannden Zanders, but that’s not going to stop him from competing for major time early. You can’t keep a guy with his physicality and athleticism off the field and he’s going to make a major impact from the very beginning.
4-star WR Beaux Collins
Another wide receiver to keep your eye on is 4-star WR Beaux Collins. As a matter of fact, you should keep your eyes on 4-star WR Dacari Collins, as well.
The Tigers are finally going to have some depth at the wide receiver position again with this recruiting class, but there’s something about Beaux Collins that makes me believe he’s going to be on the field sooner rather than later.
Expect a trajectory similar to what we saw with E.J. Williams during his freshman season, except he might get a few more targets as he is reunited with his former high school teammate QB D.J. Uiagalelei.
5-star LB/S Barrett Carter
Barrett Carter is the most intriguing defender to sign in this class and it’s because of the complete nature of his game.
Though the recruiting services have Carter listed as a linebacker, Clemson football has him listed as a safety.
Swinney compared him to Isaiah Simmons and it’s clear that we’re going to see this freshman on the field sooner rather than later. Carter is going to be able to line up at the Nickel/SAM spot, as well as fill in some dime packages.
Expect Clemson to use him all over the field and for him to find a nice little niche during his first season as a Tiger.
5-star RB Will Shipley
Talking about developing a niche, the last guy on our list is 5-star RB Will Shipley.
Swinney compared Shipley to Christian McCaffrey and that’s been the comparison we’ve all been making for several months now.
Shipley has the perfect blend of size and athleticism to line up in the backfield and carry the ball, as well as line up in the slot and be a threat in the passing game.
Look for Clemson to get him on the field in different ways over the course of his freshman season.
He’s basically an extra wide receiver when he’s lined up in the backfield and he’s an extra running back when he’s lined out in the slot. You simply can’t keep that type of talent off the field.