The Clemson Tigers have emerged as one of the top options for Auburn defensive tackle Malik Blocton, as the Tigers continue to reshape their roster along the defensive front entering the 2026 season.
Blocton announced a short list of preferred programs this week that includes Clemson, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound interior lineman has two years of eligibility remaining.
Why Blocton Fits Clemson’s Portal Blueprint
Rated as a three-star transfer and the No. 16 defensive lineman nationally by On3, Blocton brings a blend of SEC experience and proven production that Clemson has prioritized early in the portal cycle.
Over two seasons at Auburn Tigers, Blocton appeared in all 12 games in 2025, starting eight, and totaled 33 career tackles with two sacks. As a true freshman in 2024, he logged more than 300 snaps and earned Freshman All-American honors from ESPN after recording 16 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
That immediate impact placed him firmly on the radar of defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who has aggressively targeted proven interior defenders since arriving in Clemson.
A Familiar Recruitment Revisited
Blocton’s name isn’t new to Clemson’s recruiting board. Coming out of Pike Road High School in Alabama, he was a late riser who exploded as a senior with 118 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Clemson hosted him for an unofficial visit in October 2022 and extended an offer that same day, but the relationship never fully developed before he ultimately signed with Auburn.
Now, with his name back in the portal, that connection has resurfaced.
Much like former Auburn teammate Donovan Starr, who is also expected to visit Clemson, Blocton represents a second chance for the Tigers to land a player they once identified as a fit.
Why the Need Is Immediate
Clemson’s interior defensive line remains one of the thinnest areas on the roster. Currently, Vic Burley, Amare Adams, Hevin Brown-Shuler and Makhi Williams-Lee headline the returning group under defensive tackles coach Nick Eason.
Adding a physically mature, SEC-tested lineman like Blocton would immediately raise the floor — and competition — in that room.
What Comes Next
No visit has been scheduled yet, but Clemson’s inclusion among Blocton’s finalists signals mutual interest. Since the portal opened, Clemson has contacted six interior defensive linemen, underscoring just how high the priority has become.
For a program intent on restoring its defensive identity, the trenches are the next battleground.
Blocton’s decision could go a long way in determining how quickly Clemson closes that gap.