Clemson added some late firepower to its 2026 recruiting class on National Signing Day, picking up three new additions who each bring something unique to the table. With these signings, the Tigers’ class now stands at 23 players and ranks No. 20 nationally - fourth in the ACC - according to the 247Sports Composite.
It’s the first time since 2022 that Clemson has added players during the February signing period, but Dabo Swinney and his staff clearly saw value in staying active late. Let’s break down who’s joining the Tigers - and why each of them could matter.
Andy Burburija: A Rare JUCO Addition Anchors the Defensive Line
Let’s start with the headline: Andy Burburija becomes the first junior college player signed by Dabo Swinney at Clemson. That alone tells you the staff sees something special here.
Burburija, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle, arrives from Iowa Western Community College - a national powerhouse at the JUCO level. In 2025, he put up eye-popping numbers: 45 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. That sack number is especially rare for an interior lineman, and it speaks to both his motor and his ability to disrupt from the inside.
Swinney described him as a “strong, tough, physical kid” with a championship pedigree, and it’s hard to argue. Burburija flipped from Nebraska to Clemson in mid-January, and his story adds another layer of intrigue - he’s a first-generation American, with parents from Albania, and brings a level of grit and determination that’s hard to teach.
He’s not just a depth piece. This is a guy who could push for playing time early, especially given the Tigers’ need for interior disruption on defense. His experience at the JUCO level, combined with his production, gives Clemson a mature, battle-tested presence up front.
Cam Blivens: A Multi-Sport Star Turning Full Attention to Football
Next up is Cam Blivens, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver out of Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. Blivens is the kind of athlete who turns heads in multiple sports - he scored over 2,000 points in his high school basketball career - but he’s now all-in on football. That’s good news for Clemson.
After decommitting from Columbia in December, Blivens didn’t sign during the early period, which opened the door for the Tigers to swoop in. They did just that, and he committed in mid-January. In 2025, he caught 63 passes for 1,086 yards and nine touchdowns - strong production that shows he’s already got the tools to compete at the next level.
Swinney called him a “big-time, super athlete” and praised his toughness and physicality at the receiver position. He’s coming from a well-coached program and brings the kind of frame and athleticism that Clemson has developed well in the past. With his full focus now on football, there’s real upside here.
Blivens may not have the recruiting stars some fans crave, but he’s the kind of late-cycle find that can pay off in a big way - especially in a receiver room that’s looking for new playmakers.
Keil McGriff: Versatility and Bloodlines
Then there’s Keil McGriff, a name that might ring a bell if you follow Florida football history. His father, Travis McGriff, and grandfather, Lee McGriff, both played at Florida and in the NFL. Now, Keil is carving his own path - and he’s doing it at Clemson.
McGriff missed his entire senior season at Buchholz High in Gainesville due to an ankle injury, but his junior year was productive: 48 catches, 787 yards, and eight touchdowns. That’s especially impressive considering he had only just made the switch to wide receiver after playing quarterback most of his life.
That quarterback background is part of what makes McGriff intriguing. He’s played all over the field - under center, out wide, in the return game, even at corner. Swinney called him “an athlete” more than a pure receiver at this point, and that versatility is exactly what Clemson was looking for.
He’s 5-foot-10, shifty, and has a skill set that could allow him to contribute in multiple ways. Whether he ends up in the slot, as a returner, or even as an emergency option at quarterback, McGriff fits the mold of a high-upside developmental player who could grow into a key contributor.
Final Takeaway
Clemson’s February additions may not have dominated the headlines, but they filled real needs - and each player brings something different to the roster. Burburija gives the Tigers a proven disruptor on the defensive line, Blivens adds size and athleticism to the receiving corps, and McGriff offers versatility and football IQ that could make him a Swiss Army knife-type weapon.
It’s not often Clemson dips into the JUCO ranks or the February pool, but these three additions show that Swinney and his staff are still capable of finding value late in the cycle. And if history is any indication, at least one of these names could become a key piece of the Tigers' future.