Clemson recruiting rundown with Clemson Sports

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The start to the 2021 season has not gone the way Clemson imagined. After an opening day loss to Georgia, the Tigers have not looked in sync at all — minus a blowout against FCS South Carolina State. They lost to NC State in double overtime and needed last minute heroics to beat Georgia Tech and Boston College.

And while the team has dropped out of the AP Top 25 all together, Clemson’s recruiting class is still a borderline top-10 class. On3 talked with Clemson Sports recruiting writer Joseph Hastings to chat about who the Tigers are trying to lock down in the final few months of the cycle, how many players they are looking to sign and more.

Who is the most important target still on Clemson’s recruiting board?

Joseph Hastings: There’s kind of multiple prospects they’re really looking at. Specifically on the offensive side, Trevor Etienne (four stars) — younger brother of Travis Etienne — out of Louisiana. He’s a big-time target. He’s going to be officially visiting for the UConn game. And also Andre Green Jr. (No. 204 in the On300), the wide receiver target out of Virginia. Those are primarily the two they’re looking at on offense. As for defense, they’re still looking at some defensive linemen but they’re really focused on those two guys on offense.

What is the most important position(s) still to fill and the main targets to fill those spots?

Joseph Hastings: It really is on offense with with those two guys there. They’re looking to take two wideouts in this class. They already have one committed in Adam Randall (No. 119) and they really want Andre Green. He’s their only wide receiver that they’ve offered in 2022 class that’s uncommitted that they’re after — which is a weird way to phrase it — but they’ve got a couple of other guys they’re keeping warm. But they really want Andre and then Trevor Etienne is the only running back they’re after right now. Those two guys have positions of need. And then tight end, they’re pretty much going all out for Oscar Delp (No. 86), who’s going to be committing next week, who seems likely that he’s going to Georgia though. So I expect Josh Sapp (three stars), a legacy tight end prospect, to get an offer down the line.

Joseph Hastings: Clemson typically doesn’t go to the transfer portal. Dabo Swinney is really old school. He’s talked about that before. He wants to develop players who choose him and that they choose. I don’t expect him to hold any spots for the positive transfer portal. Tight now, it’s kind of looking like they may get into that 19 to 21 range. There are 12 right now. Just based on the flow of the class, it seems like they’re going to be in that 19 to 21 range.

Who is the most important commitment in the 2022 class for Clemson and why?

Joseph Hastings: Oh it’s absolutely Cade Klubnik (No. 29), especially with the way DJ Uiagalelei has been struggling. A lot of people were already hoping that Cade would have reclassified to the 2021 class and gone in August just because of those struggles. He’s kind of the one keeping it together. He’s going to be really important in terms of landing Andre Green and Trevor Etienne, two guys that he’s talked to before on the camp circuit. He’s also talked to Oscar Delp but I believe he’s going elsewhere. Cade is the is the glue to this whole class.

What are recruits saying about Clemson’s start to the season?

Joseph Hastings: I’ve talked to a couple of them. They’re not too concerned about what they’ve seen thus far. They know that the offense was going to be struggling from the get go because of that transition from Trevor Lawrence to DJ. There’s a couple of guys on the defensive side that we’ve heard some murmurs about but not not nothing too crazy. It seems like everybody is solid with their commitments.

What will be the biggest recruiting surprise for Clemson between now and the early signing period?

Joseph Hastings: I would have to say the thing that would shock most people is if Oscar Delp does commit next week or if they land Jaleel Skinner (No. 17). If they land one of those two tight end targets because a lot of people are really — and myself included — expecting Josh Sapp to get that offer. We believe that Jaleel is going to probably go to Alabama and Oscar go to Georgia. If they land one of those two, that could definitely change the momentum of this class. I don’t think I’d be necessarily surprised if Trevor joins with his brother’s connection or Andre because Clemson is a top two school for him right now. But it would be surprise if Delp or Skinner goes.

Which coach has done the best job recruiting in the 2022 class?

Joseph Hastings: I probably had to say Mike Reed. Just look at the defensive backs that they’ve been able to land thus far: Sherrod Covil (No. 192), Toriano Pride (No. 25), Daylen Everette (No. 7), Jeadyn Lukus (No. 57). It’s just impressive what he’s been doing. You’d have to give it to him. Maybe also give out a shout out to Brandon Streeter, the quarterbacks coach there, for landing Cade Klubnik and keeping him on board. But I think Mike Reed, the cornerbacks coach, probably deserves the most props right now.