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Clemson DE Recruiting

Number1CanesFan

Number1CanesFan

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I was watching the Miami Flo show on YouTube. Flow thinks Clemson has the best DL in the country and he predicts Clemson to win the national championship. My comment on his channel was a bit of a rebuttal. I acknowledge that on paper Clemson has the better starting DL due the their experience at the DT position. In making my argument that Miami had the better DL as a whole, I examined Clemson's DE room compared to Miami's.

Everyone should know that Miami has three (3) 5-start DEs and they're behind 3-year starters Bain and Mesidor. I believe Miami has 8 blue-chip DEs overall. When I examined Clemson's roster of DEs, I was shocked. Here's my post from the Flo's show.

If you look at Clemson's DE room, they have 10 DEs. 3 of their DEs don't even have a ranking, so they must be walk-ons. .So, really 7 DEs and 5 of them are blue chips with TJ Parker being the only 5-star. Here's the breakdown of the Clemson DE room for the past 5 years.

2021 - Signed 2 blue chip DEs. Both now seniors. 1 has developed into a 2nd team backup.
The other has played in only 1 game his entire career.
2022 - Signed 1 DE. 3-star. Has no game experience to date.
2023 - Hit big with 5-star TJ Parker. However, 3 out of the 4 signed DEs transferred out.
2024 - Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip
2025- Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip. Signed 1 DE 4-star from the transfer portal
2026 - 2 DEs committed. 1 4-star, 1 3-star.

If you examine the Clemson DE room closely, you realize its not that strong. I would say its depleted. Clemson has only 2 DEs that have played any significant snaps. This is why Dabo hit the portal and brought in 4-star DE transfer Will Heldt from Purdue. Beyond Clemson's starters and 1 backup, they really don't have much. FOR THE PAST 4 RECRUTING CYCLES, Clemson HAS EITHER SIGNED or RETIAINED ONLY 1 DE IN EACH CLASS. SHOCKING!!!

After the 2025 season, Clemson will lose 4 of those 7 DEs (Parker early to the NFL draft). ONLY 2 0f 3 remaining DEs are blue chips and the 3rd DE has played very little going into his 2026 senior season. They currently have 2 DEs committed, with only 1 them as a composite 4-star.

Clearly the Clemson DE recruiting has fallen off. When you look at what Miami has done the last 3 recruiting cycles at DE, Clemson isn't even close. The sad thing in all of this, is I know Miami won't be able to keep all of their DEs in 2026. There are too many good players and some will transfer out. I would not be surprised if 1 or 2 of them wind up at Clemson.

Will Clemson's DE recruiting bounce back or is this the sign of the end of an empire?
 
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Clemson lost their edge on defense once Venables left. Teams also started to figure out how Clemsons defense operates, which was based on sign-stealing and calling coverages late. They got exposed vs Ohio State years ago and haven't been back to that same level since. Venables drove that defense based on the premise that it knew what the offense was doing - the moment his recruits left, Clemson started to struggle and it was evident last year.

Doesn't help that Dabo isn't dealing with the transfer portal and that he hates NIL openly. A lot of shady BS happened there and it was about time that it ended.
 
Number1CanesFan said:
I was watching the Miami Flo show on YouTube. Flow thinks Clemson has the best DL in the country and he predicts Clemson to win the national championship. My comment on his channel was a bit of a rebuttal. I acknowledge that on paper Clemson has the better starting DL due the their experience at the DT position. In making my argument that Miami had the better DL as a whole, I examined Clemson's DE room compared to Miami's.

Everyone should know that Miami has three (3) 5-start DEs and they're behind 3-year starters Bain and Mesidor. I believe Miami has 8 blue-chip DEs overall. When I examined Clemson's roster of DEs, I was shocked. Here's my post from the Flo's show.

If you look at Clemson's DE room, they have 10 DEs. 3 of their DEs don't even have a ranking, so they must be walk-ons. .So, really 7 DEs and 5 of them are blue chips with TJ Parker being the only 5-star. Here's the breakdown of the Clemson DE room for the past 5 years.

2021 - Signed 2 blue chip DEs. Both now seniors. 1 has developed into a 2nd team backup.
The other has played in only 1 game his entire career.
2022 - Signed 1 DE. 3-star. Has no game experience to date.
2023 - Hit big with 5-star TJ Parker. However, 3 out of the 4 signed DEs transferred out.
2024 - Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip
2025- Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip. Signed 1 DE 4-star from the transfer portal
2026 - 2 DEs committed. 1 4-star, 1 3-star.

If you examine the Clemson DE room closely, you realize its not that strong. I would say its depleted. Clemson has only 2 DEs that have played any significant snaps. This is why Dabo hit the portal and brought in 4-star DE transfer Will Heldt from Purdue. Beyond Clemson's starters and 1 backup, they really don't have much. FOR THE PAST 4 RECRUTING CYCLES, Clemson HAS EITHER SIGNED or RETIAINED ONLY 1 DE IN EACH CLASS. SHOCKING!!!

After the 2025 season, Clemson will lose 4 of those 7 DEs (Parker early to the NFL draft). ONLY 2 0f 3 remaining DEs are blue chips and the 3rd DE has played very little going into his 2026 senior season. They currently have 2 DEs committed, with only 1 them as a composite 4-star.

Clearly the Clemson DE recruiting has fallen off. When you look at what Miami has done the last 3 recruiting cycles at DE, Clemson isn't even close. The sad thing in all of this, is I know Miami won't be able to keep all of their DEs in 2026. There are too many good players and some will transfer out. I would not be surprised if 1 or 2 of them wind up at Clemson.

Will Clemson's DE recruiting bounce back or is this the sign of the end of an empire?
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Flo smh lol
 
Bender said:
Clemson lost their edge on defense once Venables left. Teams also started to figure out how Clemsons defense operates, which was based on sign-stealing and calling coverages late. They got exposed vs Ohio State years ago and haven't been back to that same level since. Venables drove that defense based on the premise that it knew what the offense was doing - the moment his recruits left, Clemson started to struggle and it was evident last year.

Doesn't help that Dabo isn't dealing with the transfer portal and that he hates NIL openly. A lot of shady BS happened there and it was about time that it ended.
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All facts…but i think they will be back to the elite level this year

Their struggle the last 5 years has been still 10 wins and 3 acc championships, they’re closer than people think. I don’t like cade much but i wouldn’t be surprised if they finish top5 and make a deep playoff run
 
E1k said:
All facts…but i think they will be back to the elite level this year

Their struggle the last 5 years has been still 10 wins and 3 acc championships, they’re closer than people think. I don’t like cade much but i wouldn’t be surprised if they finish top5 and make a deep playoff run
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Maybe, but they have considerable amounts of staff turnover. And I doubt Klubnik will play any better, because he can't. He just isn't good.
 
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I think Clemson does have the best DL in the country and I have them runner up for the NC at this moment. They brought in Tom Allen as DC who is known for stopping the run, their biggest issue last season. A great hire. They couldn't set the edge, so they brought in DE Heldt from Purdue. They also brought in former Bama 5* LB Jeremiah Alexander. We have to see what he can get out of him. Allen coaches LB and DB's.
 
Tom Allen was a huge hire. Penn states defense was very solid. They’re a bit top heavy at end for sure but between Parker and woods they will be formidable on the line as a whole.

Their offense is going to be strong with their trio of receivers and Cade klub getting better each year. Their staff is strong with Matt Luke at OL coach as well.
 
E1k said:
Clemson strength has always been interior dline
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That has been true historically, but last year they were terrible against the run and if they can’t fix that they will struggle against elite teams who will run it down their throat.

It’s one of the reasons I think we have a shot if we play them in the ACCCG unless their run D drastically improves under Tom Allen (which is a distinct possibility given his track record).
 
cway313 said:
I do appreciate the consistency.
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Look how the last 3 years recruiting compared to the previous 3 not even close . His arrogance will be Dabo down fall . Don’t use the portal, isn’t a elite recruiter like in the past
 
BALLHAWKU said:
Look how the last 3 years recruiting compared to the previous 3 not even close . His arrogance will be Dabo down fall . Don’t use the portal, isn’t a elite recruiter like in the past
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I've heard this before. When Clemson actually falls off I'll listen. I don't subscribe to team rankings telling a story. If it did we'd have 6-10 ACC championships.
 
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Their reputation on DL as a whole has been rightfully earned but there has been a decline in their DL recruiting. It's time for us to step in and take the spotlight at DL
 
Number1CanesFan said:
I was watching the Miami Flo show on YouTube. Flow thinks Clemson has the best DL in the country and he predicts Clemson to win the national championship. My comment on his channel was a bit of a rebuttal. I acknowledge that on paper Clemson has the better starting DL due the their experience at the DT position. In making my argument that Miami had the better DL as a whole, I examined Clemson's DE room compared to Miami's.

Everyone should know that Miami has three (3) 5-start DEs and they're behind 3-year starters Bain and Mesidor. I believe Miami has 8 blue-chip DEs overall. When I examined Clemson's roster of DEs, I was shocked. Here's my post from the Flo's show.

If you look at Clemson's DE room, they have 10 DEs. 3 of their DEs don't even have a ranking, so they must be walk-ons. .So, really 7 DEs and 5 of them are blue chips with TJ Parker being the only 5-star. Here's the breakdown of the Clemson DE room for the past 5 years.

2021 - Signed 2 blue chip DEs. Both now seniors. 1 has developed into a 2nd team backup.
The other has played in only 1 game his entire career.
2022 - Signed 1 DE. 3-star. Has no game experience to date.
2023 - Hit big with 5-star TJ Parker. However, 3 out of the 4 signed DEs transferred out.
2024 - Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip
2025- Signed 1 DE, 4-star blue chip. Signed 1 DE 4-star from the transfer portal
2026 - 2 DEs committed. 1 4-star, 1 3-star.

If you examine the Clemson DE room closely, you realize its not that strong. I would say its depleted. Clemson has only 2 DEs that have played any significant snaps. This is why Dabo hit the portal and brought in 4-star DE transfer Will Heldt from Purdue. Beyond Clemson's starters and 1 backup, they really don't have much. FOR THE PAST 4 RECRUTING CYCLES, Clemson HAS EITHER SIGNED or RETIAINED ONLY 1 DE IN EACH CLASS. SHOCKING!!!

After the 2025 season, Clemson will lose 4 of those 7 DEs (Parker early to the NFL draft). ONLY 2 0f 3 remaining DEs are blue chips and the 3rd DE has played very little going into his 2026 senior season. They currently have 2 DEs committed, with only 1 them as a composite 4-star.

Clearly the Clemson DE recruiting has fallen off. When you look at what Miami has done the last 3 recruiting cycles at DE, Clemson isn't even close. The sad thing in all of this, is I know Miami won't be able to keep all of their DEs in 2026. There are too many good players and some will transfer out. I would not be surprised if 1 or 2 of them wind up at Clemson.

Will Clemson's DE recruiting bounce back or is this the sign of the end of an empire?
Click to expand...
Respectfully
You didn't mention Peter Woods. A guy we'd give our left nuts for.
 
Clemson has 2 elite starters on the d-line. The transfer DE from Purdue is good. And the other starting DT is ok. Parker and woods are the reason the d-line is getting so much hype
 
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