Latest news with #EliteRetreat
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson Lands Top In-State Safety for Dabo Swinney's Top 5 2026 Class
Clemson has added a crucial piece to its defensive future. Four-star safety Kentavion Anderson of Dorman High School in Roebuck, South Carolina, has committed to the Tigers, giving Dabo Swinney's staff a significant in-state recruiting win over rival South Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Anderson chose Clemson over a deep list of national suitors that included Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Florida, and others. But for months, the battle was seen as a Palmetto State showdown between Clemson and USC—and the Tigers came out on top. Advertisement Anderson made his decision public Friday, citing Clemson's academic support and the potential for early playing time as major factors in his choice. 'It was the academics and the playing time as a freshman,' Anderson said. Clemson's spring visit strategy may have sealed the deal. Anderson attended the Tigers' Elite Retreat on March 8 and was on campus earlier in January for Junior Day. In contrast, while he also visited South Carolina in January and stayed in contact with secondary coach Torrian Gray, he never made a return trip to Columbia this spring due to his busy 7-on-7 schedule. The Dorman Cavaliers played the Greenville Red Raiders in high school football at Dorman on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Greenville's Sully Wallace (0) with the ball as Dorman's Kentavion Anderson (8) takes him down on a play.© ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK 'They told me that I'm a great ballplayer and can play anywhere on the field,' Anderson said of Clemson's staff. 'They showed me how some of their best guys played around at several positions.' Advertisement Anderson's pledge could have a ripple effect for Clemson, not just because of the in-state optics, but because of his potential fit in the Tigers' secondary. He now joins fellow four-star defensive back Kaden Gebardt in the 2026 class, forming a promising duo with complementary skill sets. Gebardt has been vocal on social media, campaigning for Anderson's commitment—and now the two will share a defensive backfield in Death Valley. By locking down a top-10 in-state prospect and fending off the Gamecocks, Clemson regains traction within South Carolina's borders. It's a symbolic and strategic win for the Tigers, who are looking to rebuild their defensive identity with versatile, instinctual playmakers like Anderson. Anderson plans to take only one official visit—and it'll be to Clemson, the school he now plans to call home. Advertisement Related: Dabo Swinney Drops Behind Ryan Day in Latest ESPN Rankings Related: Cade Klubnik's Bold Offseason Move That Could Change Clemson's Season Related: Billy Napier Reflects on Clemson Firing by Dabo Swinney That Changed Everything
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson secures a commitment from in-state DB Kentavion Anderson
Clemson is catching fire -- again -- on the recruiting trail. The Tigers padded their top-five recruiting haul in the 2026 Rivals Team Rankings with a commitment from in-state NICKEL defender Kentavion Anderson. Advertisement Anderson, an uber-talented hybrid defender from Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman High School, picked the Tigers over South Carolina. "The Clemson culture, them being up the road ... it's a big draw," Anderson told Rivals earlier this spring. "I love that my parents get to come to my games." The four-star NICKEL has been visiting Clemson's campus steadily since last summer, including a handful of game-day trips to Death Valley -- before finally collecting an offer from assistant Mickey Conn after the conclusion of his junior season. Anderson has grown close with Conn, Dabo Swinney and first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen over the course of the spring. Advertisement "Being around Coach Swinney -- he brings a lot of energy. He only offers a few guys a year, so if you get an offer then you're a guy," Anderson said. "They think I'm a great ball player. They tell me to keep working hard, and that they're ready for me to make a decision." Clemson's culture has always resonated with Anderson. His mind has been made up for weeks leading into this reveal. "The Elite Retreat was amazing," he continued on his return to Clemson in March. "The coaches care about you. Watching their practices, they bring a lot of energy. They're not yelling; they're teaching their players. They're developing their players." Anderson will be back on campus again for his May 30 official visit. Stick a pin in this recruitment.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson wide receiver commit Naeem Burroughs climbs to On3's No. 2 ranked wide receiver
Clemson wide receiver commit Naeem Burroughs climbs to On3's No. 2 ranked wide receiver One of Clemson's top commits in the 2026 class just made a big jump in the latest recruiting rankings. Wide receiver Naeem Burroughs, a four-star prospect out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, climbed to No. 24 overall in the newly updated On300 rankings. That move also places him as the No. 2 wide receiver in the country for his class and the No. 4 overall prospect in the state of Florida—widely considered one of the most talent-rich regions in the nation. Burroughs committed to Clemson in early March while on campus for the Elite Retreat, a key recruiting event that has become a successful pipeline for the Tigers. He's one of three wideouts currently pledged in Clemson's 2026 class, joining fellow four-stars Connor Salmin and Gordon Sellars. Like Burroughs, Salmin also committed during the Elite Retreat. The Tigers identified Burroughs early in the process. He earned his Clemson offer last summer after impressing coaches during a session at Dabo Swinney's high school camp. He ended up collecting over 40 offers before shutting down his recruitment. Florida, Texas, and USC were all in line to receive official visits this summer before Burroughs made his decision. For another major recruiting site, 247Sports, Burroughs currently ranks considerably lower as the No. 24 wide receiver and the No. 172 overall player in the class. They clearly aren't in line with the rest of the industry, as their industry rankings have him much higher as the No. 8 wide receiver and No. 64 overall player. Burroughs' rise in the rankings not only gives Clemson a marquee name at the position but also reinforces the strong early foundation Dabo Swinney and his staff are building for the 2026 cycle. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media reacts to Clemson landing 4-star wide receiver Gordon Sellars
Social media reacts to Clemson landing 4-star wide receiver Gordon Sellars Clemson's 2026 recruiting class just got another boost with the addition of a top offensive target. Four-star wide receiver Gordon Sellars out of Providence Day School (Charlotte, NC) gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers on Friday during an emotional ceremony at his high school. He chose Clemson over a list of finalists that included South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina A&T. Sellars has been a top Clemson target since the Tigers offered him last September during an unofficial visit. He returned for the rivalry game against South Carolina, took part in the Elite Retreat last month, and was back in town again for the spring game two weeks ago. Other spring visits included trips to Ohio State, Michigan, and South Carolina, along with a stop at Notre Dame on Tuesday after the Irish extended an offer last week. Recruiting services are high on the 6-foot-2 wideout. ESPN gives him his highest mark, ranking him No. 144 overall and No. 25 at his position. He's also the No. 9 player in North Carolina. The 247Sports Composite ranks Sellars as the No. 207 national prospect and No. 31 wide receiver, while On3's Industry Ranking puts him at No. 227 overall. Sellars is the 14th commitment in Clemson's 2026 class, which continues to sit comfortably inside the Top 5 nationally. He's the third wide receiver in the group, joining fellow four-stars Naeem Burroughs and Connor Salmin, who both committed during the Elite Retreat weekend. Sellars is expected to be the final wideout take in this cycle. Here is how social media reacted to Sellars committing to Clemson: Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson lands another big wide receiver commitment in 4-star Gordon Sellars
Clemson lands another big wide receiver commitment in 4-star Gordon Sellars Clemson continues to build momentum on the 2026 recruiting trail, picking up another highly regarded playmaker for its future offense. Four-star wide receiver Gordon Sellars, a standout at Providence Day School in Charlotte, announced his commitment to the Tigers on Friday during a heartfelt ceremony at his high school. He chose Clemson over South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina A&T. Sellars' highest ranking comes from ESPN, which lists him at No. 144 overall and No. 25 among wide receivers. He's also ranked No. 9 in North Carolina. In the 247Sports Composite, he comes in as the No. 207 national prospect and No. 31 wide receiver. On3's Industry Ranking puts him at No. 227 nationally. Clemson has been in pursuit of the 6-foot-2 receiver since offering him last September following an unofficial visit. He returned to campus for the South Carolina game in the fall, took part in the Elite Retreat last month, and was back again for the spring game two weeks ago. His spring visits also included stops at Ohio State, Michigan, and South Carolina. Most recently, he visited Notre Dame on Tuesday, just days after receiving an offer from the Fighting Irish. Sellars becomes the 14th commitment in Clemson's 2026 class, which remains firmly inside the Top 5 nationally. He's the third wide receiver in the group, joining fellow four-stars Naeem Burroughs and Connor Salmin—both of whom committed during the Elite Retreat weekend—and is expected to be the last receiver take this cycle. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
