The Clemson Tigers are in the thick of a high-stakes recruiting battle, and the name at the center of it all is Andrew Beard - a dynamic, four-star running back out of Georgia who's quickly becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class.
Beard just trimmed his list of contenders, and Clemson made the cut. The Tigers are now one of four finalists vying for his commitment, alongside SEC powerhouses Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. That’s some serious competition, and Beard’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the spring.
Let’s talk about the player himself. Beard stands at 5-foot-9 and ranks as the No. 63 overall player in the nation, the No. 4 running back, and the No. 6 prospect in Georgia, according to 247Sports.
He’s explosive, versatile, and built to make an impact at the next level. Clemson’s staff has had their eyes on him for a while now - and for good reason.
What’s interesting here is the timing. Beard has visited Clemson five times over the past three years, but the Tigers only extended an official offer three weeks ago.
That might seem late in the game, but it clearly didn’t hurt their standing. Beard’s continued interest suggests Clemson made a strong impression during those early visits - strong enough to keep them in the mix despite the late offer.
Still, this recruitment is far from a done deal. Tennessee and Georgia have been in the picture for much longer and have deep ties to the player.
Georgia, in particular, has a built-in advantage: Beard is from Bogart, just outside of Athens, and he has serious family roots in the Bulldogs’ program. His uncle, Garrison Hearst, was a Georgia legend in the early '90s - a Doak Walker Award winner who went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL and earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
That kind of legacy doesn’t go unnoticed.
Beard’s visit history tells us a lot. He’s been to Athens 11 times and made four trips to Knoxville.
Both programs have rolled out the red carpet, and Tennessee, at one point, looked like the frontrunner. But this race is far from over.
Next up is a return trip to Clemson on March 7 for the program’s annual Elite Retreat - a key unofficial visit that could help the Tigers build momentum heading into the official visit slate. Beard’s official visits are already locked in: Clemson on May 29, Florida on June 4, Georgia on June 12, and Tennessee on June 19. That June stretch is going to be pivotal in shaping his final decision.
Now, let’s rewind for a moment and look at Beard’s journey to this point - because it’s been impressive.
He broke onto the scene as a freshman at Lincoln County High School, putting up 375 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. But it wasn’t just his offensive production that turned heads - he also made an impact on defense with 75 tackles, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and two interceptions. That kind of two-way versatility is rare, especially for a freshman.
Then came the breakout. After transferring to Prince Avenue Christian, Beard exploded in his sophomore season.
He racked up nearly 2,500 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging a staggering 8.7 yards per carry. He helped lead his team to a 10-4 record and a run to the state championship game.
Even though they fell short against Hebron Christian, Beard’s performance earned him a spot on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American First Team - a national nod that put him firmly on the radar of top-tier programs.
This past season, his numbers dipped slightly, but he still delivered. Beard posted 1,742 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns on 196 touches across 12 games - proof that even in a “down” year, he’s one of the most productive backs in the country. His skill set - vision, burst, and the ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game - makes him a high-upside prospect with the tools to thrive in a college offense.
So where does that leave us?
Clemson is firmly in the hunt, but they’ll need to make the most of every interaction between now and June. The Tigers are facing off against three SEC programs with deep recruiting pipelines and, in Georgia’s case, a personal connection that’s hard to ignore. But Beard’s continued interest, despite a late offer, says a lot about what Clemson has built - and what they can offer.
This one’s far from over. But one thing’s for sure: Andrew Beard is a name to remember, and his decision could be a major domino in the 2026 recruiting cycle.