Swing and miss: Clemson misses out on 4-star target

Clemson’s linebacker board just got smaller.

Four-star Quinton Cypher, one of the Tigers’ top remaining targets at the position in the 2027 class, cut Clemson from his list of finalists, trimming his recruitment to Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and Miami. The decision removes a key name from Clemson’s short list at a position where options were already limited.

In an interview with Rivals national analyst Chad Simmons, Cypher identified Ohio State and Georgia as his top two and indicated a commitment could come as soon as later this month — a timeline that leaves little room for late movement.

Interest Faded After Early Visits

Cypher’s relationship with Clemson dates back to the summer. He earned his offer after a strong workout at camp in June and returned to campus for the season opener against LSU. That visit, however, proved to be his last.

By mid-November, sources indicated Clemson was trending toward the outside of Cypher’s recruitment, despite making his original Top 11. As the season progressed, momentum never fully swung back in the Tigers’ favor.

Linebacker Numbers Under the Microscope

Clemson has been selective at linebacker in the 2027 cycle, offering just four prospects at the position. Four-star Max Brown committed shortly after receiving his offer, giving the Tigers an early anchor in the class.

The remaining offers belong to five-stars Kanden Henderson and Cooper Witten — both widely viewed as uphill battles for Clemson — and Cypher, now officially off the board.

With Cypher gone and the other elite targets considered long shots, Clemson’s staff now faces a pivotal stretch in reshaping its linebacker recruiting strategy. Whether that means expanding the board or intensifying efforts elsewhere remains the next storyline to watch.