On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Clemson trending for 4-star DB Tae Harris
Clemson currently boasts a top-five recruiting class in the 2025 cycle. The ACC program is trending to build on that, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
Cedartown (Ga.) four-star defensive back Tae Harris was one of the biggest visitors in The Palmetto State this weekend. Since making his return trip to Death Valley, a slew of recruiting insiders have predicted the 6-foot, 180-pounder to land with the Tigers.
Clemson now sits with an 88.9% edge for the one-time Georgia commit. Harris’ interest in Dabo Swinney’s program has continued to increase and the Tigers appear to be garnering momentum in the race for his pledge.
“I talk with Clemson daily. Coach Mickey Conn, Coach Mike Reed and Coach Dabo Swinney all recruit me for Clemson,” Harris told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this month. “They keep the communication going and make sure I feel like a priority. I have only been there once, but it is different there. The culture stands out and there is something good going on there.”
Harris has now visited Clemson twice. He’s set to return for an official visit on May 31. Adding a commitment from Harris would help the Tigers’ class take yet another jump as they push for podium position in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Harris is the No. 194 overall prospect and No. 26 CB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 27 player in Georgia.
Last weekend, Harris was one of the top performers at the Under Armour Next camp in Miami. The speedy defensive back caught the eye of On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power via his impressive athleticism:
“Harris is well known as a top athlete, sporting a personal best 10.73 mark in the 100 meters. On Sunday, we were able to see that high-end speed functionally translate to playing cornerback, leading to him being identified as a standout among the defensive back group by the Under Armour staff,” Power wrote.
“The Cedartown (Ga.) High defender showed a smooth and fast backpedal in drills. He also flashed outstanding change of direction. Harris has a well-built physique and should come to college more physically developed than many of his peers.”
Harris talks top contenders
Last month, Harris sat down with On3’s Phillip Dukes to discuss some of the top contenders in his recruitment entering the spring. Along with Clemson, Georgia Tech, UCF, Florida and Ole Miss are among those in the mix for the blue-chipper.
Georgia Tech: “They’re on the come up, for real. They’ve got a lot going for themselves. Me and Coach (Cory) Peoples’ connection, we’re like this. Coach (Brent) Key, Coach (Tyler) Santucci really I’m just tight with all the coaches. If I went there, that would be on the good side … nothing bad about that program, I’ve heard.”
Florida: “Me and Coach (Billy) Napier, if you know Coach Napier, he really doesn’t recruit Georgia kids like that. He stays in Florida, because they don’t really have to move much. It really stood out to me when he came to watch me at track practice. It was really cool, so I really like that. The connection I’ve got with Coach (Chad) Lucas and Coach Will Harris, they’ve got a lot going, too. They take DBs like me, too, so I really like that.”
UCF: “Coach (Gus) Malzahn, he expressed to me how much that they needed DBs like me back in the program. Coming from an SEC school, going down to UCF, they needed DBs like me. Coach (Addison) Williams, him and my trainer know each other, so that’s really cool, he checks up on me every day and stuff like that. Coach Ted Roof, that’s my guy. He calls me here and there. He talked to me about some of the defense that he’s going to run this year, so that football connection and stuff like that. We just talk football, so I really like that about UCF.”
Ole Miss: “They’ve got a lot going for themselves. If you watched the Georgia game, the DBs played well, they’re well-coached, you can tell. I’ve got a visit down there coming up soon, so we’ll see, that’ll tell the tale, for real.”
Clemson: “They really made an impact on me and my mom when they came to talk to me. I’m going down there March 9. Me and Khalil Barnes, we’re more like brothers. We talk every day, we’ve got each others numbers and stuff like that. I really like the connection me and him got. Coach (Mickey) Conn, Coach (Mike) Reed, all of them, they keep the main thing the main thing and I really like that. Death Valley, they look good, for real.”