In-state defensive end commits to Clemson Tigers football
Clemson football picked up a commitment from one of the Palmetto State’s best defensive players Saturday.
Dutch Fork defensive end Jaden Wuerth committed to Dabo Swinney and the Tigers while on a visit to Clemson on Saturday.
“The people is what drew me there. They are all authentic and totally honest,” Wuerth told The State.
Wuerth is the seventh commit for Clemson’s Class of 2027 and first on the defensive line.
Wuerth was a sought-after defensive end with several Power 4 offers, including South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Vanderbilt and Miami. He was supposed to visit Maryland this weekend but ended up visiting Clemson.
“What made me commit now was just I saw a bunch of different places in the spring and knew that Clemson was where I wanted to be,” Wuerth said. “What I like about the program is the people and how I feel like they are going to set me up for success.
“I think I bring a competitive edge and the willingness to work and give my all every day.”
Wuerth said he would be shutting down his recruitment and not take any more of his visits.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Wuerth is ranked as a three-star prospect and No. 13 player in SC by 247Sports Composite. Wuerth is from Georgia but moved to South Carolina before the 2025 season. He had a big junior season in helping the Silver Foxes to their fifth state championship.
Playing along the defensive line with South Carolina signee Julian Walker last year, Wuerth was second on the team with 62 tackles (14 for loss), 14 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.
In the state title game against Summerville, Wuerth had a team-high seven tackles (3 for loss) and 2 1/2 sacks in the 40-20 victory.
This story was originally published April 11, 2026 at 7:02 PM.
