Clemson Secures Official Visits From Nation’s Top 2026 Linebacker, Four-Star EDGE

Clemson football is aggressively bolstering its roster through high-profile recruiting efforts for the 2025 and 2026 classes, focusing on top defensive and offensive talent. The Tigers have secured official visits from two elite prospects for May 30: four-star edge-rusher Zavion Griffin-Hayes, who has 44 offers including from Ohio State and Michigan, and Tyler Atkinson, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 class and a top-10 overall recruit with 50 offers from powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. Clemson's strategy, led by head coach Dabo Swinney, emphasizes building through recruiting rather than the transfer portal, a method that has yielded multiple conference and national titles since 2008. The addition of defensive coordinator Tom Allen, formerly of Penn State, is expected to enhance the team's defense, with Griffin-Hayes and Atkinson potentially becoming key contributors. On offense, quarterback Tait Reynolds, a four-star commit for 2026, has been invited to the prestigious Rivals Five-Star camp, highlighting Clemson's depth at the position. Overall, these recruiting moves reflect Clemson's ambition to return to national prominence by assembling a top-tier class and strengthening both sides of the ball.