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Clemson Tigers News: Bowl practices, portal churns, Mason Wade

The press was allowed to observe Clemson's bowl practice, multiple players are announcing transfer destinations, and two new official visits to Clemson have been scheduled.

By John Chancey

Will Shipley and the Clemson Football Tigers prepare to face the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2023 Gator Bowl.
Will Shipley and the Clemson Football Tigers prepare to face the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2023 Gator Bowl. / ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Happy Solid Orange Friday! Here is today’s Clemson Tigers News.

Clemson Football continues bowl practices

Clemson Football held another practice that was open to the press, and they gave us a few observations.

Chapel Fowler from The State noted Ronan Hanafin was present, but was not participating.

He also noted the status of several other players.

Another surprise was Jake Briningstool in yellow.

As mentioned, there is plenty of time before the Tigers take the field against Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, and players in green and yellow right now could be for precautionary reasons.

Will Shipley met with the press and explained that transferring was never really an option that he favored.

Shipley did his due diligence and discussed the option with his family, but they left that conversation agreeing that his best choices were to declare for the NFL Draft or return to Clemson for his senior season.

Shipley has not decided what he will do for 2024, but he is planning to play in the Gator Bowl.

As The Portal Turns

Just in case you missed it, Keylan Rutledge has committed to Georgia Tech.

Clemson Football hoped to host Rutledge this past weekend but he was in a one-car accident that prevented him from visiting. Just my personal opinion, but if one is impressionable and takes things as signs, one might see a serious car wreck on the way to a visit as a sign that the visit just isn’t meant to be. Simply a hunch on my part.

The Rutledge news was shortly followed by an announcement from Duke's verbal commitment Mason “Moose” Wade.

Whether this development is related to Rutledge going elsewhere is unknown. Clemson also has an open offer to Elyjah Thurmon, who plans to announce on Early Signing Day (December 20th).

Another high school prospect announced that he will be in Death Valley this weekend as well. Linebacker CJ Kubah-Taylor will take his official visit to Clemson.

This also comes as a bit of a surprise. Clemson had an offer to linebacker Bradley Shaw, and it appeared to be in good standing with Shaw. This new interest in Kubah-Taylor might indicate a shift in direction for either Shaw or Clemson, or both.

Defensive end RJ Oben has announced a commitment to Notre Dame.

Oben follows teammate Riley Leonard to South Bend. Oben is a player that I had hoped Clemson would recruit.

MJ Morris has announced a commitment to Maryland.

Morris will succeed Taulia Tagovailoa in College Park. Have you noticed that most players transferring from an ACC school tend to land in the SEC or Big Ten? Yeah, me too.

Congratulations to Matthews Phillips for signing with Clemson Track & Field.

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