Four-Star Elite Retreat Visitor Sets Official Visit to Clemson
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On Jan. 27, four-star uncommitted recruit Jordan Young (6'1, 175) traveled to Clemson to take in the Elite Retreat. The retreat was attended by most of the Tigers' 2025 commits, and several top-flight offered prospects in the class.
When the dust settled after the weekend, the class expanded to eleven commits and rose to No. 2 overall (currently No. 3) following offensive linemen Brayden Jacobs and Jaylan Beckley announcing verbal commitments on Jan. 28 and defensive tackle Isaiah Campbell a day later on Jan. 29.
Young, who received an offer on June 23 at Dabo Swinney’s Camp and returned on Sept. 23 for the Florida State game, did not commit, but it wasn't a reflection of or a reaction to the retreat.
"Clemson is definitely one of my top choices," said Young a day after the event. “It felt good to know that I was the only safety at Junior Day. They made me feel like a top priority.”
Before the visit, Young, one of seven safeties offered by the program, told us he was far from pledging to any school and Junior Day visits would allow him and his family to build stronger connections with the coaches, programs, and for him, individually, to visualize his role on the defenses.
After breakfast, Young, his parents, Derek and Nikki, and his uncle (Marvin) could sit with co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Mickey Conn, head coach Dabo Swinney, and President Jim Clements.
"Coach Conn was with us all day and talked about the program," said Derek. "We met and spoke with the school president. He took time with the recruits-- that was a first for any visit we’ve taken. Coach Swinney was always nice, and we met all the wives. It was good to have all the families there.”
"We enjoyed ourselves and felt very welcomed."
When Derek recalled the time spent with everyone, one word was repeated - family. Young will ultimately choose a school, but family has a role in recruiting. Clemson promotes itself as a family-based program, and as Swinney says, "recruiting the families" is a part of the process.
So, does Derek think his son would be in a family atmosphere in the Upstate?
"Absolutely," he replied. "That's one of the things my wife and I want, is to leave him in good hands and [for them] to have the same values that we raised him with. We also want Jordan to be surrounded by the kind of people that will instill that stuff in him."
As Young discussed the events of that day, he touched on his position in the Tigers' defense and NIL.
"They play with three safeties, and that increases my chances to be on the field," he noted from his time in film study with the defensive coaches. According to Young, the staff showed them the defensive scheme and emphasized their role within the system.
"I can play free, strong, or nickel, so if I decide to go there, I will have the opportunity to compete to get on the field real fast."
As for the situation with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), which has become a huge emphasis around the country, Young said Clemson did an excellent job giving guidance on the issue.
"They displayed some of the players on the NIL presentation and a few of the [NIL] options and how they represent the players with their social media platform. They help players with NIL, so they will make the right decisions and won't be steered in the wrong direction."
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Clemson was one of four schools selected by Young for Junior Day visits. South Carolina hosted him on Jan. 20, and Alabama and FSU made their pitches to the No. 3 safety in the 2025 class, respectively, on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4.
Football recruiting is now in a dead period (February 5 – March 3) and will ramp up again as March 4 will present the beginning of the quiet period. Then, this spring, the contact period reopens from April 15 – May 25, 2024.
Young said he is still not ready to commit, but all of his official visit destinations could be revealed by the summer.
However, Clemson won't have to wait until the summer because the Monroe, NC native will be back.
"I plan to return to Clemson for an official, the spring scrimmage, and a game," stated Young.
Young has 12 other finalists (Alabama, FSU, LSU, Miami, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and USC) hoping to also have him on campus for an official visit.