Clemson Tigers News: Mike Matthews, Chad Morris and a new offensive line offer
By John Chancey
The Clemson Tigers have been swinging for the fences with 2024 football recruits. In a few cases they have connected, such as Sammy Brown and Bryant Wesco.
They took a swing with 5-star athlete Mike Matthews from Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia. This one didn’t quite connect.
Matthews announced Wednesday evening that he will play football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was deciding between Clemson, Tennessee, Georgia, and USC.
Matthews was originally expected to play defense, but as time went on more programs became interested in him playing wide receiver.
The other recruiting news on Wednesday was that the Tigers have expanded the board at offensive line. They have handed out a new scholarship offer to Elyjah Thurmon.
#AGTG I’m blessed to receive my 21st ⭕️ffer from @Coach__TA to @ClemsonFB ! Go Tigers🟠🟣! @carson_cramer @GTRfootball @Rivals @247Sports @On3Recruits @ChadSimmons_ @RecruitGeorgia @shonb82 @BIAthletic @Bradwell_FB pic.twitter.com/DJRHsdUSzT
— Elyjah Thurmon (@BigThurm58) July 19, 2023
Thurmon is an inside offensive line prospect from Hinesville, Georgia. He is a 4-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite. He is getting ready to play his senior season at the Bradwell Institute.
A big piece of breaking news yesterday was that former offensive coordinator Chad Morris was returning to Dabo Swinney’s staff as an offensive analyst for the 2023 season. Morris was OC from 2011 to 2014 when he was hired as the head coach of SMU.
Chad Morris gives Garrett Riley another resource for the Clemson Tigers offense
Morris’s arrival in 2011 coincided with Clemson’s first ACC championship since the early 1990s. He was credited with revamping the passing attack and introducing tempo, something that has waned in recent seasons. Riley runs a similar offensive attack, so having Morris offer ideas and wrinkles should benefit the offense.
Chad Morris is back at Clemson as an offensive analyst.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) July 19, 2023
Morris led the the Tigers to 41.0 PPG in 2012 (6th most) and 40.2 PPG in 2013 (8th most) as OC before taking HC positions at SMU and Arkansas.
Former RB James Davis is also returning to help coach their running backs. pic.twitter.com/Xs3rrnPIoW
Former Clemson Baseball commit Dillon Head signed his contract yesterday with the San Diego Padres. Head was picked 25th overall in the Major League Baseball draft.
1st-rder Dillon Head signs w/@Padres for $2.8 million (pick 25 value = $3,165,400). Illinois HS OF, one of fastest players in @MLBDraft, speed & instincts to steal bases & lock down CF, has bat speed & some developing pull-side power. Clemson recruit. pic.twitter.com/m4jg6rDWoA
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 18, 2023
ACC Football Media Days will be July 25-27. The Tigers will meet with the press on the 27th, and yesterday we learned that quarterback Cade Klubnik, defensive tackle Tyler Davis and center Will Putnam will accompany Dabo Swinney to the meeting.
Clemson's attendees for the ACC Kickoff:
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) July 18, 2023
Head Coach Dabo Swinney
Cade Klubnik, QB, Austin, Texas
Will Putnam, OL, Tampa, Fla.
Tyler Davis, DL, Apopka, Fla.
Rubbing The Rock will have more perspective on the ACC Kickoff soon.
Surprising news broke late yesterday that linebacker TJ Dudley had left the program. There are more details at the link below.
dark. Next. Clemson Football linebacker TJ Dudley enters the portal