Football signing day: What to know about Clemson’s latest freshman class
Clemson football has its newest recruiting class.
Coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers formally signed 20 high school recruits Wednesday, finalizing their 2026 signing class in the early period.
Clemson’s recruiting class currently ranks No. 4 in the ACC and No. 18 nationally, according to the 247Sports composite rankings that factor in multiple outlets. Clemson is slightly higher in terms of average recruit ranking (90.24 out of 100), ranking 15th in that measure.
Here’s a closer look at the class and some top storylines.
A late signing day flip
Swinney dropped a hint early in his news conference about another recruit.
“We’re still chasing another in-state guy,” he said.
That would be Indian Land High School defensive end Michael Foster, a three-star recruit who was committed to East Carolina. Foster flipped his commitment to Clemson at his school’s ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
Foster (6-3, 230) is the team’s 20th 2026 signee. The Fort Mill, SC product doesn’t rank high nationally (No. 188 among edge rushers) but is viewed as a developmental prospect and has gotten a lot of P4 interest this fall.
“He’s a great guy to take in this class that has, we think, high-end potential,” Swinney said, comparing Foster to a taller version of current Tigers DE Jahiem Lawson.
Recruits participating in bowl practice
Most of Clemson’s recruits (15 of 19, or 79%) will enroll early in January. A good chunk of them also participate in bowl practices heading into postseason games. Those incoming freshmen can’t play, of course, but going through practice, team travel and other routines can be incredibly beneficial.
The Tigers (7-5) will learn their bowl destination Sunday afternoon.
Swinney said Wednesday he expects some 2026 recruits to join the team for bowl practice, but that’s complicated by the fact six recruits are still playing for high school state championships. He also said Clemson needs to check in on updated NCAA guidance for how much signees can do at bowl practice.
“I’m not 100% sure exactly what they’re gonna let us do,” Swinney said. “The past couple years, they were letting them come in and actually go to the bowl. ... I don’t know that they’re gonna let that happen. I don’t know that they’re not.”
Best offensive, defensive recruits in Clemson’s class
This one’s pretty straightforward.
Wide receiver Naeem Burroughs (No. 91) and safety Kentavion Anderson (No. 150) are the two highest ranked prospects in Clemson’s 2026 class. And it’s pretty easy to imagine both of those players contributing for the Tiger as true freshmen next fall.
Burroughs (5-11.15, 175) is a dynamic playmaker and track standout who was pursued by multiple SEC schools and other high-level programs. He’s caught 47 passes for 1,107 yards and 15 touchdowns this year for The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, and could make an impact right away, as Clemson is losing star slot receiver Antonio Williams to the NFL.
On the other side of the ball, Anderson (6-2, 190) is a sturdy, hard-hitting defensive back who could play multiple positions in Tom Allen’s Clemson defense. He’s been among the Tigers’ most vocal commits and is one of five finalists for South Carolina’s Mr. Football award. Anderson is an intriguing option at nickel, a key position.
Another name worth noting: Four-star offensive lineman Grant Wise, who projects as a guard or center at Clemson. Swinney raved on Wednesday about Wise (6-3, 320), the No. 300 overall recruit in the class out of Pace (Fla.) Academy.
“I don’t know that we’ve ever signed a guy better than Grant Wise,” Swinney said. “This is a beast of a man. Like, this is a guy that looks like he’s a senior in college right now. ... He’s as good as I’ve ever seen come through here.”
Biggest recruiting steals in Clemson’s class
Cornerback Shavar Young Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to Clemson this summer after some buzz he’d flip to SMU. The three-star recruit ranks as the No. 33 cornerback in the class, and Clemson often plays freshman cornerbacks early.
The same could be said for three-star cornerback Marcell Gipson, who isn’t related to Clemson starting nickelback Corian Gipson but projects as a similarly tough defensive back who coincidentally hails from the same state (Texas).
Four-star linebacker Brayden Reilly flipped his commitment from Northwestern to Clemson this fall after Allen, the team’s defensive coordinator, IDed him as a strong fit for the Tigers. Allen wants recruits who play a specific, tough style and obviously sees Reilly (the No. 361 recruit nationally) as being capable.
Clemson football 2026 recruits
National rankings via 247Sports Composite
Bold indicates player is an early enrollee and will join Clemson in January 2026
Quarterback
- 3-star QB Tait Reynolds, Queen Creek (Ariz.), No. 461
- 3-star QB Brock Bradley, Spain Park (Ala.), No. 1,902
Running back
- None
Wide receiver
- 4-star WR Naeem Burroughs, The Bolles School (Fla.), No. 61
- 4-star WR Gordon Sellars, Providence Day School (NC), No. 166
- 4-star WR Connor Salmin, The Bullis School (Md.), No. 190
Tight end
- 3-star TE Tayveon Wilson, Huntington (W Va.), No. 516
Offensive line
- 4-star IOL Leo Delaney, Providence Day School (NC), No. 185
- 4-star IOL Chance Barclay, The First Academy (Fla.), No. 235
- 4-star OT Adam Guthrie, Miami Trace (Ohio), No. 287
- 4-star IOL Grant Wise, Pace (Fla.), No. 300
- 4-star IOL Carter Scruggs, Loudoun County (Va.), No. 363
- 3-star OT Braden Wilmes, Lawrence Free State (Kan.), No. 739
Defensive line
- 3-star DL Kameron Cody, Benedictine Military School (Ga.), No. 572
- 3-star edge rusher J.R. Hardrick, South Pittsburg (Tenn.), No. 965
- 3-star edge rusher Michael Foster, Indian Land (SC), No. 2,497
Linebacker
- 4-star LB Brayden Reilly, St. Xavier (Ohio), No. 361
Defensive back
- 4-star S Polo Anderson, Dorman (SC), No. 85
- 4-star CB Shavar Young Jr., Webb School (Tenn.), No. 546
- 3-star CB Marcell Gipson, South Oak Cliff (Tex.), No. 1,308
Long snapper
- LS Jackson Reach, Mira Costa (Calif.), N/A
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
