Kobe McCloud makes it official, signs with Clemson

JosephAHastings

The Clemson Tigers football program has a big day ahead on Wednesday.

After landing a dozen signatures during the Early Signing Period, Dabo Swinney and his staff could receive up to nine Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

Clemson does have four announcements coming up, but everything starts with five expected signatures in the morning. One of those — from recent commit Kobe McCloud — was just faxed in.

McCloud, who announced his commitment to Clemson on Jan. 26, has officially joined the Tigers. He becomes one of potentially three linebackers in their 2022 class; their other target, T.J. Dudley, will commit on Wednesday afternoon.

McCloud was the first Tigers commit to send end his Letter of Intent Wednesday morning, doing so before 7:30 a.m.

For a majority of this cycle, Clemson was not in the mix for McCloud. The staff decided to dip into his recruitment on Jan. 9, when he was still publicly committed to FIU.

Following a decommitment from the Panthers and an official visit to Clemson from Jan. 21-23, it became clear to McCloud that the Tigers would be his choice.

When reflecting on this class, one cannot help but bring up how many signees are related to former Clemson players.

Cole Turner, Jahiem Lawson, Josh Sapp, and McCloud are all related to former Tigers.

Lawson, McCloud, and Turner are all the younger brothers of Shaq Lawson, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Nolan Turner. Sapp is the son of former Tigers linebacker Patrick Sapp.

Clemson could add yet another one to the mix this afternoon when Keith Adams Jr., son of Keith Adams Sr., announces his commitment.

While some are opposed to this method of recruiting, the Tigers view it as a benefit for them. One of their main messages to prospects is the family culture at the program; there’s no better way of showing that than bringing former players on the staff and continuing the Clemson legacy in a family.

For McCloud, that history of the school that started with his brother played a big part in his interest in them.

“It’s high,” McCloud previously told us of his interest in Clemson. “When my brother was playing, I went up there so many times. I kind of know the environment, the culture that Clemson has to offer. I’ve been to so many games, big games… the national championship game, I was at.”

Along with being the second linebacker pledge, McCloud also becomes the third player from Florida to join this class, joining Robert Gunn and Wade Woodaz.

Clemson is continuing to pursue recruits related to former players