"I was really impressed with the Paw journey program" - Recruits react to Clemson visits

Clemson hosted over a dozen notable national prospects over the weekend, including eight 2025 four-stars. The Tigers haven't extended an offer in the 2025 class yet, but likely will this spring.

Here's what some of the prospects told us following their weekend Clemson visits:

Isaiah Campbell: four-star 2025 DL. 6'4, 250 pounds. Greene Central – Snow Hill, NC.  

The Paw journey program stood out to Campbell.

"They showed us how we would integrate and have opportunities for jobs when football is over and make it to the NFL when we come to Clemson."

Campbell appreciated Clemson's down-to-earth style.

"It was genuine and sincere from the coaches and recruiting personnel treated me like a person, not so much as a big-time recruit, which I actually liked," Campbell said.

Stone Saunders‍: four-star 2025 QB. 6'1, 195 pounds. Bishop McDevitt – Harrisburg, PA.

Saunders said that the highlight of his visit was spending time with Coach Riley, Coach Grisham, and Coach Swinney.

"It's just different," Saunders said. "It's a special place; another visit just solidified that."

London Merritt‍: four-star 2025 DL. 6'2, 235 pounds. Woodward Academy – Atlanta, Ga. 

Merritt liked Clemson's facilities and emphasis on relationship building. He's closest with defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall and is starting to build a relationship with head coach Dabo Swinney.

"I was impressed by how well they develop their players and handle their recruitment process."

Cortez Smith‍: four-star 2025 IOL. 6'2, 270 pounds. Parkview – Snellville, GA.

Smith likes Clemson's consistency and said the program's focus on education is a "really pleasant surprise." He is closest with offensive line coach Thomas Austin. Smith said Clemson's presentation of "The Paw Journey" impressed him most on the visit. 

Eli Owens‍: four-star, 2025 TE. 6'2, 230 pounds. Alcoa – Alcoa, TN.

"Everybody there is a big family; there's not really much to say about Clemson that's not already been said," Owens said. "My relationship with Clemson just started, so I'm not close with any coach in particular yet."

Owens noted that Clemson's camaraderie between the coaches, players, and home feel stood out.

Chauncey Gooden‍: four-star, 2025 IOL. 6'4, 315 pounds. Lipscomb Academy – Nashville, TN.

"They showed they wanted me," Gooden said. "Great hospitality, facilities are top-notch and I loved everything about it."

Gooden noted that Clemson was a dream school for him growing up. The four-star is close with coach Thomas Austin, coach Lemanski Hall, and now Coach Swinney.

His final thoughts on the visit? "Everything was impressive, I loved Clemson."

Tyler Atkinson‍: 2026 Edge (+15 offers). 6'3, 205 pounds. Grayson – Lawrenceville, Ga.

Atkinson attends Grayson high school, where Clemson defensive assistant Mickey Conn previously coached.

"I have gotten really close to Coach Conn," Atkinson said. "He is a Grayson legend, too."

Atkinson is one of the top freshmen in the country and spoke highly of the coaching staff after visiting.

"I like the loyalty of the program a lot because I am a loyal person," Atkinson said. "Coach Dabo is super loyal to his players, coaches, and the process."

"I'm looking forward to going back," Atkinson said.

Daylyn Upshaw: 2025 WR (Offers include Texas & Auburn). 5'11, 175 pounds. Central – Phenix City, Ala.

Upshaw was impressed with the graduation rate at Clemson and the team's GPA. He is closest with wide receiver coaches Tyler Grisham and Artavis Scott.

"The coaching staff definitely stood out to me," Upshaw said. "What surprised me the most was how hard Coach Dabo and the other coaches cared about grades."

Shavar Young Jr. 2026 ATH (+10 offers). 6'0, 166 pounds. Webb School of Knoxville – Knoxville, TN.

Young said his favorite part of the visit was "Coach Swinney coming up to me and knowing my name and telling me to keep doing what I'm doing, to keep working."

Young was impressed with the Paw journey program and Clemson's family-oriented style. He liked that the coaches had their families in attendance during the visit weekend. 

"Clemson is just really different!" Young said. "They are really big on building relationships, and I feel we have a great relationship at this point."