Three and Out: Clemson's 2026 Recruiting Heats Up, New Offers Out

Clemson’s pursuit of 2026 talent continues to roll on this week as a much anticipated Elite Retreat will take place on March 8. We’ve talked to multiple prospects this week who have either confirmed their attendance or indicated that they plan on being there, but first, let’s take a look at some of the latest offers as Clemson’s staff has been on the road.

The Tigers expanded their board just a bit this week, with an offer going out to defensive tackle Kameron Cody‍. Cody told us that the offer was significant and the Tigers have moved into his top group. The Tigers also offered four-star safety Kaden Gebhardt‍ last Sunday. Gebhardt from Lewis Center, Ohio, has notable offers, including Ohio State and Penn State. 

Secondly, let’s get into some news that’s not overly surprising but telling on multiple fronts at running back.

Saturday afternoon, Clemson target Jaylen McGill‍ from Mountain View Prep School in nearby Spartanburg committed to Rutgers. You read that right—the Rutgers Scarlet Knights slip into the upstate to wisk away the four-star running back.

McGill, the only running back offer C.J. Spiller had dispensed at the position, leaves the Tigers with zero prospects and a committable offer on the board. Missing out on the 5'10, 185-pound local product is significant and creates two distinct storylines. How much did the current Clemson running back room impact McGill’s decision? Secondly, who are the next players in line to receive offers at the position?

As it stands right now, the running back room is loaded with youthful talent now that Phil Mafah is headed to the NFL. Who knows how Adam Randall plays into the mix?

• Redshirt Junior: Keith Adams Jr.
• Redshirt Sophomore: Jay Haynes
• Redshirt Sophomore: Jarvis Green
• Redshirt Freshman: David Eziomume
• Freshman: Gideon Davidson
• Freshman: Marquise Henderson

Clemson’s running back recruiting has been openly criticized, and the slow pace of offers doesn’t indicate that there has been a lot done on the relationship front for future offers. 

Regionally, the assumption would be that the Tigers are interested in Jonaz Walton‍ from Carrollton, Georgia. However, that appears to be boiling down to an All-SEC battle as Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn are heavily in the mix.

Clemson has also looked at Savion Hiter‍, but not pulling the trigger on an offer for the top back in America likely indicates the Tigers didn’t feel like they had much of a chance in this new NIL era. Currently, Ohio State appears in the best position for Hiter, with Michigan and Georgia also in the conversation. 

One name that’s also been introduced over the past few days is C.J. Givers‍. Givers was visited by Spiller on January 21, and we spoke with him after the visit. Even though he doesn’t yet have an offer, Givers told ClemsonSportsTalk.com that he was okay with that because he is “patient” and understands that the Tigers don’t just hand out “un-committable” offers. Time will tell if that offer lands for the three-star back.

We spoke with Givers again on Sunday; at that time, he hadn’t heard anything else from Clemson since Spiller’s visit last week.

Lastly, several prospects trimmed their lists as Clemson made the cut for three offensive linemen this week.

Saturday, four-star lineman Tyler Merrill‍ placed Clemson in his Top 5 along with Penn State, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Wisconsin.

On Sunday, four-star IOL Carter Scruggs‍ trimmed his list to twelve. We recently caught up with the 6’5, 275-pound offensive lineman from Leesburg, Virginia, who told us he plans to be in Clemson for the Elite Retreat.

The Tigers are also in the Top 2 for offensive lineman Maxwell Riley‍ as he trimmed his list to Clemson and Ohio State. We were already piecing together a story on Riley when that news dropped last week.

Two defensive prospects also made updates as four-star defensive end Khamari Brooks‍ (Bogart, Georgia) put Clemson in his Top 3 this week, along with Alabama and Georgia. Edge prospect Camron Brooks‍ (Thomasville, Georgia) placed the Tigers in his Top 9.

We spoke with the latter Brooks in a CST+ exclusive last week, and he assured us that “Clemson is very high” on his list.

We’ve got stories coming out on Scruggs and Givers later this week for our CST+ subscribers. Secure THREE months of CST+ for just $1.00 today!