Breaking Down the Board: Defensive Line

With the 2026 recruiting season in full swing and offers going out rapidly, here's an overview of where Clemson stands on the defensive line after previously focusing on the offensive skill positions and offensive line offers. 

Easily, the biggest strength in terms of numbers during Clemson’s run of success from 2015-2020 came from the elite level of play on the defensive line. As much as any other position on the roster, the Tigers won battle after battle at the line of scrimmage with anchors like Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence leading the way.

Fast forward to the current roster and 2025 commits, and the Tigers continue to load up with playmaking defensive linemen like rising sophomores T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, likely to give defensive tackle coach Nick Eason and defensive end coach Chris Rumph valuable snaps this year.

Looking at the 2025 class, the Tigers currently have three players committed, with borderline five-star defensive end Ari Watford‍ leading the way. On the interior, in-state four-star standout Amare Adams‍ and Tarheel State four-star Isaiah Campbell‍ look to be solid additions to the current roster. Clemson will ride out the commitment of five-star defensive end Elijah Griffin‍ to see if they can land an upset over Georgia for one of the nation’s best players in the class. 

As for the 2026 group, early offers are out to several 

At defensive tackle, Bryce Perry-Wright‍ is from a familiar stomping ground for the Tigers at Buford High School. Over the years, Clemson has recruited the state of Georgia with expert precision, and they are doing a nice job laying the groundwork with the 6’3, 260-pounder. Perry-White has grown nearly two inches and put on twenty bounds in the past year, bolstering his size on the interior.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Jordan Carter‍ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• On3 Rating: 94.23
• Height/Weight: 6'3", 235 lbs
• High School: Douglas County, Douglasville, GA

Xavier Griffin‍ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• On3 Rating: 93.3
• Height/Weight: 6'3"
• High School: Gainsville High, Gainesville, GA

Jake Kreul‍ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• On3 Rating: 91.58
• Height/Weight: 6'3", 220 lbs
• High School: Bishop Moore Catholic, Orlando, FL

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Deuce Geralds‍ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• On3 Rating: 91.79
• Height/Weight: 6'1", 255 lbs
• High School: Collins Hill, Suwanee, GA

Bryce Perry-Wright‍ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

• On3 Rating: 91.9
• Height/Weight: 6'3", 260 lbs
• High School: Buford High, Buford, GA

Stay tuned as we’ve got more coming in our Board Breakdown Series taking a look at the offered linebackers in the 2026 class.