The Class of 2022 for Clemson football had a lot of ups and downs. The class was only a modest size when the challenges of last season led to turmoil on the field for the Tigers. At least one blue chip recruit started looking around at other schools (despite Clemson’s rules not allowing it) and there were rumors that other recruits were having conversations with rival schools as well. When Clemson’s staff saw turnover in early December, Clemson had four commitments re-open their recruitments.
Clemson was in the position of having to fill their class after the Early Signing Period, something that isn’t typical for the Tigers. Nonetheless, Clemson found the right guys for them. Despite the adversity, the Class of 2022 registered as a Top 10 class with most outlets that follow recruiting.
While Clemson has their fair share of developmental prospects from this class that are likely to redshirt in 2022, they have some highly regarded prospects that are likely to contribute this season. Sometimes they play at positions of need, and sometimes they are special enough that Clemson just won’t be able to keep them off the field. Sometimes it’s both.
Here are five members of the Class of 2022 that are the most likely to make an impact for the Tigers this season.
Blake Miller
Mitch Hyatt started as a true freshman at tackle and went on to be a four-year starter for the Tigers. Otherwise, Clemson fans have become accustomed to seeing most freshmen go through a developmental period before seeing significant playing time. It was a bit of a surprise when Marcus Tate got the starting left guard job as a freshman in 2021, but that was more due to necessity. Tate’s growing pains last season illustrated just how hard it is for a freshman to jump into the starting lineup.
Because of that, I don’t think anyone expected either of Clemson’s offensive linemen from the Class of 2022 to contribute as a starter right away, but to date, it appears that both Blake Miller and Collin Sadler have shown they are more ready than most true freshmen. Greenville’s Sadler has made the case that he can be part of the two-deep, but the biggest surprise of camp is that Miller’s performance has been so strong that the staff feels comfortable putting him at right tackle, allowing Walker Parks to move to right guard.
I think this could be huge for the Tigers’ offensive line this season. I don’t think they would move Parks out of the right tackle spot if they didn’t feel Miller could give them the same kind of performance. Most of the pro reviews I have seen on Parks indicate he would most likely play guard in the NFL, so this is a chance for him to move inside and put some tape out there for pro scouts.
The real crush here, of course, is that if Miller can handle starting right tackle already, then Clemson has finally hit on a top-notch talent on the offensive line, something they have desperately needed.
Toriano Pride
Clemson lost both starting cornerbacks from 2021 when Andrew Booth and Mario Goodrich moved on to the NFL. There are certainly veteran options to step into those roles. Sheridan Jones has been a starter before. Nate Wiggins has a lot of people excited for his future. Fred Davis and Malcolm Greene are solid options as well.
The Class of 2022 included two cornerback prospects that were both Top 100 players in the final 247 Composite: Jaedyn Lukus and Toriano Pride. While it is unusual for freshmen to contribute right away at cornerback, observers have been excited about what both players have shown in the spring and fall.
Mauldin’s Lukus was the higher-rated recruit, but unfortunately he was injured during spring practice, which interrupted his development. While Lukus has reminded many people this fall why he was such a prize recruit, Pride had the advantage of being able to finish spring practice and further develop physically this summer.
Teams can’t get by with only 2-3 corners. They usually will employ at least 5-6 players regularly, which means the chances that one or both freshmen will get a chance to contribute early is high. While Lukus will get opportunities, it appears that Pride is probably first in line to go out on the field, so he probably has the better chance to make an impact this season.
Antonio Williams
Just like cornerback, Clemson’s has two highly regarded wide receivers in the Class of 2022. Myrtle Beach’s Adam Randall drew rave reviews in the spring before he injured his ACL, requiring surgery. While the staff feels sure he will return this season, and they expect him to make an impact, it will be likely be mid-season before he returns in earnest.
The other receiver prospect, Irmo’s Antonio Williams, surged up 247’s Composite rankings after he was noticed during all-star game practices. Unfortunately, Williams couldn’t enroll early and participate in spring practice. Since he wasn’t going to be able to take the field until fall camp, most thought Williams was a year off from being able to really contribute.
Someone forgot to tell that to Williams. Observers have been equally impressed with Williams as they were with Randall, but for different reasons. Randall is such a physical specimen that jaws dropped when they same him take the field in spring. Conversely, Coach Swinney and the staff have acknowledged that Williams needs to get bigger & stronger.
Williams has impressed people with his pure ability to run routes and make big catches. His speed has given him the ability to create separation, something the receivers struggled with a year ago.
Williams’ physical stature might not be ideal yet, but it doesn’t appear that is holding him back. It sounds like he will get his opportunities early this season.
Sherrod Covil
Through the summer, safety was going to be one of the deeper positions on the team. Despite losing Nolan Turner to the NFL, Clemson had emerging star Andrew Mukuba alongside veterans Jalyn Phillips, Tyler Venables & RJ Mickens. The bonus was that Lannden Zanders, who started for the Tigers at safety in 2020, was expected to return after a year and a half of being out with injuries.
Sadly, Zanders announced recently that he would be retiring due to medical reasons. Clemson can still fill the two-deep at safety with experienced players, but if there is an injury at the position, the next man up to step into the rotation is freshman Sherrod Covil.
Covil was a 4-star prospect from the Tidewater in Virginia. He was expected to be a rock for Clemson at safety eventually, just not this season. Zanders exit changes the outlook of the safety position this season. While Covil might have even been a redshirt candidate in 2022, the odds of that seem very slim now.
To make an impact, a player has to see the field, and the odds of Covil seeing the field have increased significantly.
Cade Klubnik
The message from the coaching staff has been clear and consistent: DJ Uiagalelei is the starting quarterback, and that has never been in doubt through the spring and fall camp. Most who have observed practices confirm that DJU’s work ethic and preparation have improved significantly, and it has had a positive effect on his play.
While I don’t doubt DJU’s desire to improve, I am convinced the presence of Cade Klubnik in the spring & fall camp has been a strong influence. Klubnik was highly regarded out of high school, and he has the reputation of an outgoing leader that connects well with teammates, which are qualities that had been questioned in DJU.
It sounds like Klubnik has impressed the coaching staff enough to earn playing time this season. They might plan to give him the 3rd or 4th series of a game. It’s possible they will prepare a special package for him. Honestly, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that Klubnik’s mere presence in camp has created a competition at quarterback that almost everyone admits was not present last season.
Time will tell if DJU’s improvements are enough for him to retain the starting job. If he doesn’t play well, the odds that Klubnik will step into the starting lineup are very high.
If DJU does play well and retains the starting job all season, I can still make a strong argument that much of his improvement was due to Klubnik pushing him since the end of last season.
Even if the other four freshmen on this list log more snaps than Klubnik, one way or another he is the freshman most likely to have a positive impact on the Tigers this season.