From the offensive line to the interior defensive front and the secondary, the Tigers are stacking visits, reaching out to top-tier targets, and signaling a clear shift toward experience as they retool for a pivotal 2026 season.
Sun Belt Standout Headed to Campus
Georgia Southern offensive lineman Johnnie Brown III is scheduled to visit Clemson on Jan. 5, capping a three-stop tour that also includes Louisville and West Virginia.
Brown, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound veteran, earned All–Sun Belt Third Team honors after logging 826 snaps this season. He started at right tackle before moving to the left side and allowed just three sacks and 20 total pressures — production that stands out given Clemson’s heavy offensive line turnover.
Brown brings positional versatility, capable of playing both guard and tackle, and would arrive with at least one year of eligibility pending a medical review.
With four starters gone from last season’s line — Tristan Leigh, Ryan Linthicum, Walker Parks and Blake Miller — Brown would immediately contend for playing time.
Elite Defensive Line Target Emerges
Clemson also landed in the top five for former USC defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, one of the most coveted players in the portal.
The 285-pound lineman is rated as a four-star transfer and ranks among the top defensive linemen available. After a quiet start to his career, Thompkins broke out over the past two seasons, starting every game in 2025 and posting 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble — including a two-sack performance against Michigan.
Clemson’s early pursuit is significant given the departure of Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart to the NFL and the transfer exits of Stephiylan Green and Caden Story.
While Thompkins is still lining up visits — including interest from Alabama — Clemson’s presence in his top group reflects an aggressive approach rarely seen from the Tigers in past portal cycles.
Veteran Safety Visit Locked In
Former Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls is scheduled to visit Clemson on Jan. 10–11, becoming the third known portal target set to arrive on campus.
A redshirt senior with experience at Oklahoma State and Kansas, Rawls played in 41 career games and is coming off a productive 2025 season in which he recorded 72 tackles and seven pass breakups.
With Khalil Barnes exiting the program and limited depth at strong safety, Rawls’ experience aligns with Clemson’s stated desire for veterans who have logged meaningful snaps.
Another Defensive Lineman in the Mix
Florida State defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins is also planning a visit to Clemson, adding another experienced body to a position group in flux.
Jenkins, a 6-foot-6, 276-pound lineman, played in nine games with five starts for the Seminoles in 2025 after transferring from Tennessee. He recorded 17 tackles and a sack last season and would bring fifth-year experience to a defensive line leaning heavily on youth.
With Amare Adams, Vic Burley and several underclassmen projected for expanded roles, Jenkins would offer stability and rotation value inside.
A Different Portal Posture
Taken together, Clemson’s early portal movement paints a clear picture: this cycle is different.
Between offensive line reinforcements, veteran defensive linemen, and experienced secondary help, the Tigers are prioritizing snaps, maturity, and readiness — a notable evolution for a program long defined by internal development.
The visits are just beginning, but Clemson’s intent is unmistakable.