With the transfer portal window closed, Clemson Tigers are redirecting their attention to the long game — and the early returns are defensive.
Clemson issued a pair of offers to 2027 defensive prospects this week, extending scholarships to Tennessee safety Jarrell Chandler and South Carolina defensive lineman Jaden Wuerth, signaling the Tigers’ intent to build the next cycle’s class from the back end forward.
Chandler was the first to announce his offer after an in-person visit from linebackers coach Ben Boulware and defensive assistant Thomas Allen. A four-star prospect, Chandler enters his senior season at Halls High School with eye-catching production on both sides of the ball, combining rangy coverage ability with physical run support.
He already holds more than 20 scholarship offers and has drawn interest from multiple Power Five programs, including Tennessee and Louisville. Clemson’s hands-on approach, however, underscores how aggressively the Tigers are prioritizing the secondary in the early stages of the 2027 cycle.
Later the same evening, Wuerth announced his offer following a home visit from defensive line coach Nick Eason. A versatile three-star prospect from Dutch Fork High School, Wuerth has rapidly emerged as one of the state’s most intriguing defensive linemen despite limited varsity experience.
In his first full season, Wuerth made an immediate impact, contributing across the front while helping Dutch Fork capture its fourth consecutive state championship. His ability to line up inside or on the edge fits Clemson’s preference for flexible, positionless defensive linemen.
The in-state battle is expected to intensify. Wuerth already holds offers from several ACC programs, but his recruitment is shaping up as a familiar rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina, with both schools hosting him multiple times last year.
Together, the offers reinforce Clemson’s early defensive blueprint for the 2027 class, which already sits among the nation’s top 10. Chandler would bolster the safety room alongside Harrison Luke, while Wuerth would project as the foundation of the defensive line group in the cycle.
It’s early — but Clemson is clearly setting the tone.