AJ Hoffler

Even though projected top-80 NFL Draft pick Ruke Orhorhoro opted out of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game against Kentucky, Clemson showcased impressive depth on the defensive line. The Tigers are losing four starters on the defensive front and need several linemen to step up heading into next season.

A four-star 2025 defensive lineman from South Florence High School picks the Tigers, becoming the first defensive commit in the class.

The Clemson Tigers have not extended any offers to 2025 recruits yet - but we expect that to change this week. Historically, the Tigers have pushed out a wave of offers in early June. Last year, 2024 five-star linebacker Sammy Brown was the program's first offer in March, followed by four-star (current commit) Hevin Brown-Shuler.Here are five prospects we think the Tigers should include in their initial wave of offers that have been in contact with the program over the past year. David Sanders - He's a consensus top-three player in the nation and the highest-ranked North Carolina native (On3 industry consensus) since Dexter Lawrence was No. 2 in the 2016 class. Sanders is already 6'6, 250 pounds, and has built a relationship with Clemson offensive line coach Thomas Austin. Due to his rare combination of size and advanced skillset, Sanders is a strong candidate to receive the program's first overall offer in the 2025 class. London Merritt - He included Clemson in his top 12 schools list today, even though he doesn't have an offer yet. He visited Clemson in the spring and is working on building a relationship with coach Lemanski Hall - who recruited his teammate AJ Hoffler throughout the past year. Clemson has a good chance with Merritt, who is an explosive Edge with good bend and offers from a bevy of Power Five programs. He's a strong candidate to be the program's top defensive lineman on the board in this cycle. Clemson should officially make him a priority this week.Antwann Hill - He's a top-three quarterback in the 2025 class and drew a visit from new Clemson OC Garrett Riley earlier this spring. Hill has a big arm and would fit Clemson's new-look offensive scheme brilliantly with his ability to execute downfield.Ryan Ghea - Ghea is a consensus top-250 prospect with a 6'5, 230-pound frame that coach Kyle Richardson could develop into a threat over the middle of the field. Ghea visited Death Valley for a game in the fall and told us that he was impressed with Clemson's usage of his position in the passing game. The Tigers have a solid chance to land Ghea and should prioritize him this week.Amare Adams - He's the top-ranked prospect in South Carolina and is a top 130 national recruit. The defensive lineman has visited Clemson multiple times since September. The Gamecocks are in the mix to land him, but Clemson could jump into contention by prioritizing Adams and including him among their first offers in the class.