Clemson Lands Four-Star Safety Kaden Gebhardt, Seventh Commitment in Recruiting Surge

Dabo Swinney and Clemson are on a recruiting tear, and the momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The Tigers secured their seventh commitment since Friday with the addition of four-star safety Kaden Gebhardt‍, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound standout from Olentangy High School (Lewis Center, OH).

Gebhardt, who carries an 87.96 On3 rating, chose Clemson over heavyweights Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame, reinforcing just how strong of a recruiting statement this is for the Tigers. His decision gives Clemson 12 total pledges in the class, further solidifying a group that continues to gain steam. 

For Clemson to pull an Ohio product away from the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions, and Fighting Irish speaks volumes about the program's appeal under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Gebhardt had no shortage of high-profile suitors, but ultimately, the Tigers' pitch won out.

His addition bolsters a class that has already featured key pieces across the board coming online since Friday. Offensive linemen Adam Guthrie‍, Grant Wise‍, and Chancellor Barclay‍ bring toughness to the trenches. Wide receivers Naeem Burroughs‍ and Connor Salmin‍ add explosiveness to the passing game. And in the defensive backfield, Marcell Gipson Jr‍’s commitment yesterday was another significant grab.

Gebhardt brings a rare combination of size and physicality to the safety position. He’s the type of player who can roam the secondary, come downhill against the run, and match up with tight ends and bigger receivers in coverage. His aggressive playing style fits perfectly with Clemson’s defensive identity, and his frame suggests he could eventually slide into a hybrid linebacker-safety role at the next level.

Gebhardt’s pledge is just the latest in what has been a remarkable run for Clemson on the trail since the Elite Retreat this past weekend. Seven commitments in less than a week is a recruiting surge that reflects both the program’s consistency and its ability to reload with top talent year after year.

With momentum on their side and plenty of top targets still in play, Swinney and his staff are proving once again that Clemson remains a force in college football recruiting in the NIL era. And with Gebhardt in the fold, the Tigers' future defense just got much stronger.