Dabo Swinney and Mike Reed have nailed down the pole position for the premier 2027 defensive back as spring recruiting season officially begins.
Josh Dobson, the five-star cornerback with a spring lineup, dropped his roster this week, and so did the Clemson Tigers for that vital first spot. Dobson will lead Clemson’s annual “Elite Retreat,” set on March 7, to the seven schools participating in a heavyweight competition with LSU, South Carolina and Miami.
Dobson isn’t just a priority, he’s a potential record-breaker. Currently ranked No. 6 overall player in the nation and the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina, the 6-foot-1 lockdown specialist would rank up as the highest rated cornerback ever to sign with Clemson. Should he commit, Dobson would surpass program legends like Andrew Booth Jr. and Mackensie Alexander in the all-time recruiting rankings, likely securing a spot in the top 10 of the program in history no matter position.
He’s been making headlines for his upcoming transfer to North Carolina powerhouse William Amos Hough—fresh off an 8A state title—so his time at Catawba Ridge (SC) was the stuff of legend. Dobson tallied “video game” numbers across three varsity seasons:
Defense:
76 tackles and 6 interceptions (including a 100-yard pick-six).
Special Teams:
602 return yards and 3 touchdowns, on only 20 touches.
Versatility:
163 offensive yards and 2 scores while being a part-time threat.
The Tigers have been "relentless" in its pursuit. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen and Mike Reed have hosted Dobson several times, most recently for the 2025 season opener against LSU. But the competition is fierce:
LSU: Seen by some insiders as a minor favorite after Lane Kiffin and secondary guru Corey Raymond made the move with a "relentless" effort.
Dobson has been to Columbia seven times — more than any other college campus. The Field — Texas A&M, Miami, Auburn, Texas Tech are all dates from the calendar.
Dobson's hosting at the Elite Retreat gives Clemson the chance to raise the bar for the rest of his spring. In a recruiting clash in which “culture” is the Tigers' most important selling point, bringing on the most promising college campuses on a college campus first is a statement that Clemson will continue to keep the best talent in the Carolinas exactly where they belong.