Clemson football: What does newest commit, Branden Strozier bring to Clemson?

What does newest commit, Branden Strozier bring to Clemson?

After losing a commitment from tight end Reid Mikeska last week, Clemson football is back up to four commitments in the 2023 class with the commitment of cornerback Branden Strozier of Alpharetta, Georgia Friday evening.

Strozier stands 6’2 and 175 pounds, played at St. Francis High School, also competes in track and field and was named the 2021 Region 6-A Private Defensive Player of the Year.

Strozier is listed as a three star and the 363rd ranked player overall in the 247 composite ranking, 39th ranked cornerback and 32 ranked player in the state of Georgia.

While that number of stars and those rankings might not stand out for a team with the recruiting pedigree of Clemson in recent years, Strozier has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee among his reported 18 offers.

Often times rankings are re-evaluated after players began receiving offers from top programs and, for me at least, the offers often mean more than a ranking.

Per the 247 timeline, Strozier unofficially visited Clemson on March 12 and was offered the following day.  He visited Clemson again on the day of the Spring Game, April 9th, before committing on May 20th.

Strozier fits the mold of the long, athletic Clemson corner of recent history.

Per Jason Priester of AllClemson.com he’s a typical Mike Reed corner.

"Strozier is long and athletic. A typical Mike Reed corner. He is also fast. Will need a little bulk, but has the frame to carry it."

He fits the mold of the long, athletic Clemson corner of recent history.

Strozier is currently joined in the class by three four star recruits: QB Christopher Vizzina, wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph and edge David Ojiegbe.

There is a fair amount of angst among the Clemson fan base of where the 2023 recruiting class stands, with most fans circling the June 3-5 weekend as potentially a make or break weekend for this class.