Clemson’s 2026 Recruiting Class: A Deep Dive into Dabo Swinney’s Latest Haul
Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers just wrapped up another recruiting cycle, and the 2026 class is a fascinating blend of blue-chip talent, geographic reach, and a few historical firsts. It’s a group that’s not just filling needs - it’s laying the groundwork for the next wave of Clemson football.
Let’s break down the class from every angle - rankings, relationships, regions, and a few fun facts that show just how unique this group really is.
Star Power: Who’s Making the Rankings
There’s no shortage of high-end talent in this class. Nine players earned spots in the ESPN300, including offensive linemen Leo Delaney, Adam Guthrie, Chance Barclay, Carter Scruggs, and Grant Wise; wide receivers Naeem Burroughs, Connor Salmin, and Gordon Sellars; and safety Polo Anderson.
Rivals and 247Sports also gave this group plenty of love. Seven Clemson signees made the Rivals300, and six cracked the 247Sports Top247. Naeem Burroughs, Polo Anderson, Gordon Sellars, and Chance Barclay were consensus picks across all three major recruiting services - a strong sign that Clemson didn’t just recruit for depth, but landed players who can make an impact early.
And while rankings don’t win games, history says this matters: every Clemson signing class under Swinney - except for 2025 - has helped deliver at least one ACC Championship. That’s the kind of precedent this group will be expected to uphold.
Teammates Stick Together
One of the more interesting trends under Swinney has been Clemson’s knack for signing high school teammates. The 2026 class continues that tradition with Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) standouts Leo Delaney and Gordon Sellars both heading to Death Valley.
That makes it seven out of the last nine signing classes where Clemson has brought in at least one pair of high school teammates. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks to the program’s ability to build trust with players and their inner circles - and it doesn’t hurt to have built-in chemistry coming into camp.
Mapping the Class: Coast to Coast
Clemson’s 2026 class spans 14 states, with Florida leading the way with four signees - a first for the program. The Sunshine State delivered OL Chance Barclay, WR Naeem Burroughs, OL Grant Wise, and WR Keil McGriff. That brings Clemson’s total to 32 Florida signees over the past eight years, and for the first time since at least 1972, they’ve pulled multiple players from Florida in eight straight classes.
Kansas made a rare appearance on the Tigers’ recruiting map with OL Braden Wilmes, Clemson’s first signee from the Sunflower State since Isaiah Simmons and Xavier Kelly in 2016. That’s a name drop any Clemson fan will appreciate - Simmons was a game-changer.
Ohio also made a strong showing. The Tigers added OL Adam Guthrie and LB Brayden Reilly, marking the first time since 1981 that Clemson signed multiple players from the Buckeye State in a single class.
Guthrie continues a trend - five of Clemson’s six Ohio signees since 2017 have been offensive linemen. Reilly, meanwhile, comes from Cincinnati’s St.
Xavier, the same powerhouse that produced former Clemson captain Matt Bockhorst and current redshirt freshman Tucker Kattus.
New Territory: Arizona and West Virginia Join the Map
This class also features a couple of firsts for Swinney. Quarterback Tait Reynolds becomes the first Arizona signee of his tenure - and the first from the state since 1991. Tight end Tayveon Wilson, meanwhile, is the first West Virginia product to sign with Clemson since 1967.
That means Swinney has now added at least one new state to Clemson’s recruiting footprint in nine of the last 11 cycles. The national reach is real - and growing.
California Dreamin’ - Again
Long snappers don’t usually make headlines on Signing Day, but Jackson Reach is an exception. He’s the first long snapper Clemson has ever signed on National Signing Day, and he comes from California - a state that went unrepresented in Clemson’s classes from 1992 to 2018, but has now produced four signees in the last eight cycles.
A Junior College First
In another first for Swinney, defensive tackle Andy Burburija became the first junior college signee of his head coaching career. Clemson hasn’t dipped into the JUCO ranks since 2006, when they added safety Chris Russell under Tommy Bowden. It’s a rare move - and one that suggests Burburija brings something unique to the table.
By the Numbers: Positional Breakdown
Here’s how the class shakes out by position:
- Quarterbacks: 2
- Wide Receivers: 5
- Tight Ends: 1
- Offensive Linemen: 6
- Defensive Ends: 2
- Defensive Tackles: 2
- Linebackers: 1
- Cornerbacks: 2
- Safeties: 1
- Long Snappers: 1
Two quarterbacks in one class? That hasn’t happened since 2021, when Clemson signed Bubba Chandler and Will Taylor - both of whom ended up in pro baseball.
Before that, it was 2017 with Hunter Johnson and Chase Brice. It’s a sign that Clemson is hedging its bets and building depth at the most important position on the field.
The six offensive linemen mark the largest haul since 2020. That’s a clear investment in the trenches - and a nod to the importance of protecting the quarterback and establishing a physical identity.
Final Thoughts
This 2026 class is classic Clemson in a lot of ways - big-time talent, national reach, and a few under-the-radar moves that could pay off in a big way. But it’s also a class of firsts: first JUCO signee, first long snapper signed on Signing Day, and first-ever signees from Arizona and West Virginia under Swinney.
It’s a group that blends star power with strategic depth. And if history is any indication, a few names from this class will be making big plays in Death Valley before long.