Four-star Cornerback wraps up recruitment, Signs with Clemson

★★★★ | Branden Strozier 6’2, 165 | St. Francis, Alpharetta, Georgia

A two-way star at St. Francis Branden Strozier‍ defended 22 passes as a senior in 2022.

Rankings: Ranked as No. 213 overall player in the nation by Rivals, which also listed him as the 17th-best player in Georgia and 28th-best cornerback … ranked as 30th-best player in Georgia by 247Sports …  ranked No. 365 overall nationally by PrepStar. 

In High School: Two-way player at St. Francis High School in 2022 … had 57 career receptions for 1,066 yards and four scores offensively and recorded 95 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six interceptions and 34 passes defensed defensively … played in 14 games as a senior, helping team to a 10-4 record in 2022 … posted 43 receptions for 788 yards (18.3 avg.) and four scores on offense while contributing 41 tackles, three tackles for loss and three interceptions for 98 return yards on defense … had career-high 22 passes defensed in 2022 … caught six passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns against Mount Pisgah Christian … notched six receptions for 116 yards and added two tackles for loss on defense against Bleckley County … had nine tackles vs. Fellowship Christian … broke up four passes vs. Providence Christian Academy … recorded a 93-yard interception return for a score against Oglethorpe County … broke up 10 passes in the first three games of the season alone … posted 191 receiving yards on nine catches and made 12 tackles in five games in 2021 … recorded four receptions, 58 receiving yards and five tackles in two games during the COVID-19-impacted season in 2020 … played 12 games as a freshman in 2019 and had 37 tackles and three interceptions for 68 return yards … wore No. 3 at St. Francis for coach Frank Barden.

Personal: Committed to Clemson on May 20, 2022 … born Sept. 9, 2004 … expected to enroll at Clemson in summer 2023 … name pronounced “STRO-zhurr.”

Our Take:

Luke Winstel:

Branden Strozier is a fascinating prospect from St. Francis in Georgia’s 1A Division 1 classification. He’s got good ball skills and could probably play receiver at a collegiate program if he wanted to- but definitely projects as a cornerback at Clemson.

Strozier will add more speed to the Clemson secondary- which has been a theme in the 2023 recruiting class. When you review the tape from the past two seasons, you’ll quickly notice that the four-star ran circles around his competition in the GHSA.

Strozier earned respect as a cover corner in Georgia and didn’t see many balls thrown his way this fall. If you turn on his highlight reel and see a surprising number of highlights on offense, don’t be surprised- not many QBs wanted a piece of Strozier this season.

Morgan Thomas - Has long strides and can maintain speed over distance. Uses hands well and is a PR, KR, and WR. Is a deep ball threat at WR in HS. His hand skills help him being a 1 on 1 ball hawk on outside. Speed helps his closing when out of position. Experience in 1 on 1 and at S in zone coverage. Not many clips on run defense.

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