Versatile 2029 Prospect Impressed by First Clemson Visit, Plans to Return
Class of 2029 prospect Domenic Baker got his first taste of Clemson football Saturday, taking in the atmosphere of Death Valley, meeting with coaches and getting an up-close look at the program.
Baker, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore at Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, North Carolina, was among the recruits on hand for Clemson's 37-0 shutout victory over Charleston Southern on Military Appreciation Day.
"Overall, I'd say the visit was great," Baker said.
The visit gave Baker an opportunity to experience several aspects of the program before kickoff. He met with coaches at the indoor practice facility, enjoyed breakfast, watched the team's Tiger Walk and attended a presentation about Clemson's programs. He also spent time on the sidelines watching the players warm up.
One of the day's highlights came when Baker watched the players running down the hill.
"That was really cool because I've never been so close to all the players," he said.
Baker is already attracting attention from several college programs, holding scholarship offers from Akron, Charlotte, East Carolina, and Tulsa. His versatility has made him an intriguing prospect, with schools recruiting him as a wide receiver, safety, or linebacker.
Clemson currently views Baker as a potential linebacker or receiver, and he spent time developing relationships with defensive tackles coach Nick Eason and wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham during Saturday's visit.
"Probably Coach [Nick] Eason, but it is between him and receiver coach Tyler Grisham," Baker said when asked which coaches he connected with most. "We were just all chatting it up and talking about my height, my weight, my positions, and my versatility."
Despite the interest from multiple positions, Baker isn't concerned about where he eventually lines up at the college level.
"Nah, I just want to be on the field. It don't matter what I'm playing."
Baker spent his freshman season at Northwest Cabarrus High School in 2025 before transferring to Jay M. Robinson High.
As a freshman, he earned all-conference honors, recording 69 total tackles, including 43 solo stops, four sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries, according to MaxPreps.
Baker also contributed offensively, spending time at running back and rushing for 128 yards on 22 carries, an average of 5.8 yards per attempt, with two touchdowns. He added four receptions for 20 yards.
The sophomore has registered 35 tackles, including one for loss, through seven games at Jay M. Robinson and also excels in the classroom, carrying a 4.0 grade-point average. He is represented by FAMO Sports Management, which is owned by former Clemson basketball player Donnell Bruce.
While his freshman production demonstrated his ability to make plays on both sides of the ball, Baker knows there is an area of his game that needs improvement, specifically, on defense.
That's taking advantage of opportunities to create turnovers.
"This year, I dropped two picks, which should have been like money. One of them was a pick six if I caught it, and one of them was just like a turnover, which would have been good. But I dropped it."
Baker has already started familiarizing himself with several ACC programs. He visited North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke last year before making trips to NC State and Clemson this season.
Saturday's experience, however, gave him a particularly favorable impression of the Tigers.
"I think right now it's an amazing school. The environment was great, the way the coaches interact with the players on the sideline and post game is great. I like that good energy all around."
That positive impression carried into the locker room following the victory, where Baker got a closer look at the relationships between the coaches and players.
"You could tell everyone was being themselves, and that it is always like this. It's not just a one time thing. That's how it should be. Because if the coaches are keeping it real, then the players respect the coaches."
Although Baker is still early in his recruitment, Saturday's experience appears to have positioned Clemson as a program he wants to continue learning about.
And if he has his way, his first visit to Death Valley won't be his last.
"I will definitely try and be back up there next year, or even come back this year. I will definitely be coming back to Clemson."
