Clemson Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown
After finishing No. 14 in the 2024 recruiting class, Dabo Swinney and his staff at Clemson are off to a hot start in the 2025 cycle.
The Tigers are near the top in total number of committed prospects with 11 — sitting only behind Notre Dame. Clemson currently sits No. 4 in the 2025 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Clemson Class Breakdown
Clemson’s 11-man class consists of 10 blue-chip prospects, including the nation’s No. 28 recruit in Norfolk (Va.) Maury four-star EDGE Ari Watford. Watford pledged to the Tigers near the end of January.
“Clemson is a very unique place,” Watford told On3. “The people there and the family-oriented culture Coach Swinney has built stood out to me. People go to Clemson go for the right reasons and that’s something I’ve wanted to be a part of growing up.”
Nine additional four-star recruits are committed to the Tigers, including: Durham (N.C.) Southern defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell, Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy running back Gideon Davidson, Lake City (S.C.) South Florence defensive lineman Amare Adams, Buford (Ga.) offensive tackle Brayden Jacobs, Lawrence (Mass.) Central Catholic quarterback Blake Hebert, Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy interior offensive lineman Easton Ware and Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep tight end Logan Brooking.
Anderson (S.C.) Belton-Honea Path three-star running back Marquise Henderson, Woodbridge (Va.) Freedom three-star wide receiver Carleton Preston and Cedartown (Ga.) four-star corner Tae Harris have each joined the class since December.
Top Tigers Offensive Commit: RB Gideon Davidson
A top-100 prospect, Davidson ranks as the nation’s No. 42 overall prospect and No. 3 running back in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 recruit in Virginia.
Davidson committed to Clemson back in June.
Top Defensive Commit: EDGE Ari Watford
The nation’s top edge rusher, Watford ranks No. 28 overall and is the top prospect in Virginia.
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team gives their take on him:
“Big-framed, explosive pass rusher who looks like one of the top EDGE prospects early on in the 2025 cycle. Measured at over 6-foot-5, 220 pounds with a 6-foot-8.5 wing span prior to his freshman season. Has a quick first step. Bursts off the snap and explodes into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Makes easy work of opposing offensive tackles in pass-rush situations.
“Typically beats the tackles to the edge, but also shows a budding technical skill set, using quick hands and spin moves to disengage. Flashes his athleticism as a pursuit defender with the high-level play speed to track down runners from behind. Also has the look of a strong run defender, using his big frame to set the edge.”