Where Clemson landed in ESPN's updated 2026 recruiting rankings after June official visits
June's slate of official visits is now in the rearview, and while Clemson football awaits several key recruiting decisions, ESPN has released its latest 2026 class rankings — with the Tigers still firmly in the national mix.
Clemson checks in at No. 6 overall in ESPN's updated rankings, sliding down two spots from the previous edition. Still, the Tigers remain one of the top programs in the country with 10 ESPN 300 commitments already in the fold. The current class continues to show strong momentum, especially after a fast-paced March that reshaped the outlook of Clemson's 2026 haul.
'Clemson is coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, but the Tigers are still chasing the heights of their mid-2010s success under Dabo Swinney, and their 2025 class ranked just 37th in the country,' ESPN's Craig Haubert wrote. 'Their 2026 group is looking more promising, especially after a red-hot March in which Swinney landed eight verbals, including five ESPN 300 commits.'
Four-star defensive lineman Keshawn Stancil is scheduled to announce on June 28, followed by five-star lineman Bryce Perry-Wright on July 4. Both are highly sought-after targets who would significantly boost the Tigers' already strong defensive class.
Nationally, USC holds the top spot with 17 ESPN 300 commitments. Texas A&M (13), Notre Dame (14), Georgia (12), and Ohio State (13) round out the Top 5. Within the ACC, Miami sits at No. 8 with nine ESPN 300 pledges, while Florida State has surged to No. 10 after previously being outside the Top 25, now holding eight ESPN 300 commits.
Other ACC teams in the Top 25 include North Carolina (No. 18), Cal (No. 19), SMU (No. 20), and Louisville (No. 25). Syracuse, meanwhile, took the biggest drop after a quiet visit period, falling 12 spots to No. 22 with just one ESPN 300 recruit.
As more summer decisions roll in, Clemson is well-positioned to stay among the nation's elite — and potentially climb even higher in the coming weeks.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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