Clemson Recruiting Update October 25th

What’s happened in the last 2 weeks?

With a crucial stretch for the 2018 recruiting class approaching, Clemson has recently had a lot of situations break in their favor at a few important positions going forward.

Priority target and 3-star Tackle, Jordan McFadden has decided when he will take his official visits to his two final schools. McFadden will be taking his visit to Virginia Tech (the school he is committed to) this week for the Hokies matchup with Duke. He will take his official visit to Clemson for the Citadel game, where he will be surrounded by lots of other highly-rated recruits. McFadden has said he wants to end the process soon, and so I think Clemson having potentially the final visit could seal the deal.

Richard Gouraige is a 4-star Tackle that surprised many Clemson fans when he announced Florida and Clemson as his co-leaders last week. Just a few days later, Gouraige oddly committed to Florida, deciding not to take any more visits and to simply commit.

The biggest development along the offensive line, however, was with 5-star Tackle Cade Mays. Mays is committed to Tennessee, and grew up a massive fan, but with the Vols’ tumultuous season on the field, the door has been slightly cracked open for Clemson. A huge potential factor in this recruitment is current 4-star LB commit Mike Jones. Jones is originally from Tennessee, and has been very close with Mays since Middle School.

This relationship has already paid off, as Clemson will get Mays on campus not once, but twice. The 5-star will visit this weekend for the Georgia Tech game on an unofficial visit, and then again for the Citadel for his official. This would be a huge upset even with Tennessee’s current situation, but Clemson is probably in the best position of anyone to flip the talented prospect.

As for defensive backs, a new really big name is trending towards Clemson. Tyreke Johnson is a highly rated Safety from Jacksonville, FL. If you follow 24/7 Sports’s Crystal Ball prediction feature, there have been 4 or 5 predictions for the blue chip Safety to land at Clemson. Clemson needs a Safety, and with other schools already full on DBs, Johnson and Clemson is definitely something to watch.

Clemson put out a few new offers this week to 4-stars Steele Chambers, and Ge’mon Eaford. Both will probably be Linebackers at the next level, although Chambers could play on the Offensive side of the ball too.

Georgia Tech becomes a Big Recruiting Weekend

While many saw the schedule before the season started and figured FSU at home would be the marquee recruiting game of the year, with the Noles struggles this season, Georgia Tech has instead become a night game loaded with talented prospects.

As previously mentioned, 5-star Tackle Cade Mays will be in attendance along with his close friend Mike Jones. Jones is also bringing 5-star commit Xavier Thomas, and 5-star 2019 Running Back Noah Cain. Trevor Lawrence tops off the loaded guest list.

This weekend is also Clemson’s official visit with KJ Henry. Henry has had 2 very successful visits so far to UGA and Virginia Tech, however, only Clemson will get Henry’s Dad on campus with him. Virginia Tech looks to be Clemson’s biggest competition for Henry.

Random Notes and Observations

Justyn Ross has a private leader whom he won’t name. Most people in the industry think that team is Clemson, and so do I. Ross will visit Clemson again this season, probably for the Citadel game, and might not end his recruitment until signing day.

A few Crystal Ball predictions went in for 2 4-star defensive backs to Clemson for both Jalyin Simpson, and Jalen Catalon. Simpson will probably end up as a Corner at the next level, and is a great athlete. Catalon is a ball-hawking Safety that is surprisingly effective against the run despite his smaller size.

For your enjoyment: