Clemson Football’s 2026 Recruiting Class: Key Storylines, Top Talent, and a Few Twists Ahead of Signing Day
The early signing period is just around the corner, and Clemson is ready to lock in the future of its football program with the 2026 recruiting class. Dabo Swinney and his staff have built a 20-player group that currently ranks No. 4 in the ACC and No. 18 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. That’s a solid haul, and Clemson’s average recruit rating (90.24) actually puts the Tigers at No. 15 in the country by that metric - a sign that while the class may not be the biggest, it’s packed with quality.
Let’s dive into the biggest storylines, top names, and under-the-radar steals as Clemson gets set to officially welcome its next wave of talent.
Another Flip Incoming? Clemson Navigates the Recruiting Tightrope
Recruiting flips are part of the game, but Clemson’s had more than its fair share in recent cycles. Last year, the Tigers saw seven commits change their minds and head elsewhere - most of them in the final stretch between August and December.
This year’s been a little calmer, but not without some turbulence. Clemson has already lost three commits: four-star defensive lineman Keeshawn Stancil (now headed to Miami), four-star edge rusher Dre Quinn (flipped to Ohio State), and three-star safety Blake Stewart (currently uncommitted but trending toward Georgia).
Now, another potential flip is looming. Four-star safety Kaden Gebhardt, who committed to Clemson back in March, is reportedly trending toward Ohio State.
According to multiple outlets, including On3Sports and 247Sports, the Buckeyes have reignited contact and appear to be gaining serious traction. Gebhardt is ranked No. 546 nationally - not a headliner, but a valuable piece in the secondary.
If he flips, it would be another tough loss for Clemson on the back end, where depth and versatility are always at a premium.
Early Enrollees Set to Join Bowl Practices
One of the underrated advantages Clemson has built into its recruiting process is the early integration of signees. Many of the Tigers’ incoming players are expected to enroll in January, and a number of them will get a jumpstart by participating in bowl practices.
These freshmen can’t play in the postseason, of course, but the exposure to college-level preparation - from film study to travel routines - is invaluable. Dabo Swinney is expected to outline which recruits will join the team during his National Signing Day press conference on Wednesday.
Clemson, sitting at 7-5, will find out its bowl destination on Sunday. Whoever joins for practices will get a front-row seat to the program’s culture and expectations.
Top of the Class: Offensive and Defensive Headliners
Every recruiting class has its crown jewels, and for Clemson in 2026, two names stand out: wide receiver Naeem Burroughs and safety Kentavion Anderson.
Burroughs, ranked No. 91 nationally, is a dynamic playmaker from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, he’s a track standout with elite speed and polished route-running.
His senior season numbers - 47 catches, 1,107 yards, and 15 touchdowns - speak for themselves. With Antonio Williams heading to the NFL, there’s a real opportunity for Burroughs to carve out a role early in Clemson’s offense.
On the defensive side, Anderson brings a physical edge and leadership mentality to the secondary. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, the South Carolina native is ranked No. 150 overall and is a finalist for the state’s Mr.
Football award. He’s expected to be a versatile piece in Tom Allen’s defense, with the ability to play safety or slot corner.
His physicality and football IQ could make him a factor at nickel - a critical position in modern defenses.
Underrated Steals with Big-Time Potential
Every class has a few hidden gems, and Clemson may have landed several.
Cornerback Shavar Young Jr. stuck with the Tigers this summer despite some late buzz connecting him to SMU. Ranked as the No. 33 corner in the class, he’s a three-star prospect who plays with the kind of physicality Clemson loves on the perimeter. Given the Tigers’ history of playing young corners early, don’t be surprised if he sees the field sooner than later.
Another name to watch is Marcell Gipson, a three-star cornerback out of Texas. No, he’s not related to current Clemson nickelback Corian Gipson, but there’s a similar edge to his game. He’s tough, instinctive, and projects as a developmental player with upside.
Then there’s Brayden Reilly, a four-star linebacker who flipped from Northwestern to Clemson this fall. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen clearly saw something in Reilly that fit his vision: a smart, physical linebacker who can diagnose plays and bring energy to the second level. Ranked No. 361 nationally, Reilly could be a foundational piece in the middle of the defense down the line.
Position Breakdown: Who’s In the 2026 Class?
Here’s a look at Clemson’s 2026 recruiting class by position, with national rankings via the 247Sports Composite:
Quarterbacks
- Tait Reynolds (3-star, No.
- Queen Creek (Ariz.)
- Brock Bradley (3-star, No.
1,902) - Spain Park (Ala.)
Running Backs
- None in this class
Wide Receivers
- Naeem Burroughs (4-star, No.
- The Bolles School (Fla.)
- Gordon Sellars (4-star, No.
- Providence Day School (N.C.)
- Connor Salmin (4-star, No.
- The Bullis School (Md.)
Tight End
- Tayveon Wilson (3-star, No. 516) - Huntington (W.Va.)
Offensive Line
- Leo Delaney (4-star, No.
- Providence Day School (N.C.)
- Chancellor Barclay (4-star, No.
- The First Academy (Fla.)
- Adam Guthrie (4-star, No.
- Miami Trace (Ohio)
- Grant Wise (4-star, No.
- Pace (Fla.)
- Carter Scruggs (4-star, No.
- Loudoun County (Va.)
- Braden Wilmes (3-star, No.
- Lawrence Free State (Kan.)
Defensive Line
- Kameron Cody (3-star, No.
- Benedictine Military School (Ga.)
- JR Hardrick (3-star EDGE, No.
- South Pittsburg (Tenn.)
Linebacker
- Brayden Reilly (4-star, No.
- St. Xavier (Ohio)
Defensive Backs
- Kentavion Anderson (4-star, No.
- Dorman (S.C.)
- Shavar Young Jr. (4-star, No.
- Webb School (Tenn.)
- Marcell Gipson (3-star, No.
1,308) - South Oak Cliff (Texas)
Long Snapper
- (Not listed)
Final Thoughts
Clemson’s 2026 class might not have the five-star fireworks of some past hauls, but it’s a balanced, well-constructed group with high-upside talent and plenty of positional depth - especially along the offensive line and in the secondary. The Tigers have a few battles left to win on the recruiting trail, including holding off Ohio State for Gebhardt, but the foundation is strong.
As always, the true test comes in development - and Clemson has shown time and again that it can turn solid recruits into high-level players. Signing Day is just the beginning.