Clemson assistant coach recognized for recruiting ability

Clemson assistant coach Nick Eason played a big role in the Tigers signing arguably the top defensive line class in the country.

Eason was the primary recruiter for five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods, top-100 prospect Vic Burley and four-star recruit Stephiylan Green.

The former Clemson star also helped recruit other members of Clemson’s 2023 defensive line class.

Eason did all of this in just his first full year on Clemson’s staff. He was recently recognized by On3 as an assistant coach who made an immediate impact on the recruiting trail in 2023.

“Hiring Eason, a rising star in the coaching industry, away from Auburn was no small feat for Dabo Swinney. And it paid some massive dividends for Clemson’s 2023 class,” the On3 article states. “Not only did Eason beat out Alabama for an in-state five-star in Woods, but he nabbed both Vic Burley and Stephiylan Green out of the state of Georgia and away from the Bulldogs. The result is arguably the best defensive line haul this cycle.”

Nick Eason was hired by Swinney in January of 2022 to replace Todd Bates, who left to join Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

Eason’s outgoing personality, as well as personal challenges he has dealt with, have helped him become an excellent recruiter.

He recently received a raise and an extension on his contract. He is scheduled to make $800,000 per year for the next three seasons.

Prior to coming to Clemson, Eason was the defensive tackles coach at Auburn in 2021.

He coached in the NFL before beginning his college coaching career and spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

Eason played at Clemson from 1999-2002, starting 35 games and recording 30 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in his college career.

He was drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft and spent 10 seasons playing in the NFL.

In addition to Eason, another former Tigers played was also recognized by On3 for his recruiting efforts in Notre Dame receivers coach Chansi Stuckey.

Stuckey played at Clemson from 2003-06, before beginning his professional football career.

He worked at Clemson as a grad assistant and in player development in 2019 and 2020, before getting an opportunity as a full-time assistant with Baylor in 2021.

Stuckey was hired by Notre Dame prior to the 2022 season. Here’s what On3 said about his recruiting efforts: “Stuckey, who was a rising star at Baylor before coming to South Bend, took over a position where the Irish had signed just one wideout in the 2022 class. Suffice to say, he had his work cut out for him from the beginning.

Despite that, he landed not only [four-star wide receiver Jaden Greathouse] — who was heavily pursued until the end by Texas — but also grabbed four-star receiver Braylon James out of Texas. In total, Notre Dame landed five wideouts this cycle — four rated as four-stars — under Stuckey’s watch. And he made major waves in Texas, with three of the five coming from the Lone Star State.”