Clemson Signs Zero-Star WR Keil McGriff Amid New Roster Rules: What It Means for the Tigers
Clemson made an unconventional move on National Signing Day, adding a zero-star recruit to its 2026 class - a decision that reflects the changing landscape of college football more than it does any kind of departure from the Tigers’ recruiting philosophy.
Wide receiver Keil McGriff, out of Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, was one of three players Clemson signed on late signing day. He joins junior college defensive lineman Andy Burburija and three-star wideout Cam Blivens to round out a 23-man class that currently ranks No. 20 nationally and fourth in the ACC, per the 247Sports Composite.
At first glance, the addition of a zero-star recruit might raise some eyebrows. But this isn’t just about talent evaluation - it’s about roster management in a new era.
The House vs. NCAA settlement has reshaped how programs build their teams.
Traditional walk-ons are no longer part of the equation, and schools now operate under a 105-man roster limit that includes all scholarship players. That means any player added to the roster must be on scholarship - even if they’re developmental prospects.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, himself a former walk-on wide receiver at Alabama, put it plainly: “This is the first year we've really recruited to a 105 number,” he said in January. “For example, at receiver, your number is 14.
Well, you're not going to have 14 T.J. Moores and (Bryant) Wescos.”
Translation: not every scholarship receiver is going to be a five-star game-changer. Some are going to be long-term projects - players like McGriff, who missed his senior season due to an ankle injury but brings pedigree and potential. He’s the son of former Florida and NFL wide receiver Travis McGriff, and while he might not be ready to contribute right away, Clemson sees value in his upside.
This shift in roster construction means schools are now using the back end of their scholarship pool on players who, in previous years, would’ve walked on. With the 85-scholarship cap lifted to 105, the Tigers - like many programs - are looking to fill out their depth charts with players who can contribute in practice, develop over time, and be ready when their number is called.
Swinney emphasized the importance of balance: “You can't pay everybody, so there's a roster construction that you have to deal with at each position. You have to have the ability to practice, you got to have developmental guys and you got to have your high-end guys. That's just the nature of where we are.”
McGriff fits squarely into that developmental category. At 5-foot-10 and coming off a season-ending injury, he’ll join a crowded wide receiver room that already features standout freshmen like Bryant Wesco and T.J.
Moore, along with returners Tyler Brown and possibly Tristan Smith. It’s a group with plenty of talent, and the expectation is that McGriff will redshirt in 2026 while he gets back to full health and acclimates to the college game.
This isn’t a flashy signing, but it’s a smart one - a reflection of how Clemson is adapting to the new rules while still building for the future. The Tigers also plan to explore adding “designated student-athletes” - players who were previously walk-ons and are now grandfathered into rosters without counting against the 105 - as a way to bolster practice depth without additional scholarship costs.
For now, McGriff gets a scholarship spot, a chance to develop in one of the nation’s top programs, and a front-row seat to the Tigers’ evolving approach to roster building. And for Clemson, it’s another step in navigating the post-House era - one where depth, development, and flexibility are more valuable than ever.