- 2017 Class Ranking: 16 (No. 3 in ACC)
- 2016 Class Ranking: 11 (No. 2 in ACC)
- 2015 Class Ranking: 9 (No. 2 in ACC)
At first glance, it might look like Clemson has reversed a disappointing trend in recruiting having fallen from ninth to eleventh to 16th in the national rankings from 2015-17. However, we should remember last year’s class included only 14 players whose average rating was 0.9210 – fourth best in the nation.
Though last year’s class was somewhat underrated, this group is even more talented. The 15 players head coach Dabo Swinney signed during the early period have an average rating of 0.9307, which is third-best nationally. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 player in the nation, headlines a group of nine players who have already enrolled. Five are five-star prospects ranked among the top 26 players in the Composite. The Tigers signed three of the top 14, and two of the top three.
Lawrence is special and could compete with returning starter Kelly Bryant and last year’s five-star stud Hunter Johnson for the starting job. And, though the Tigers boast one of the most experienced rosters in the country, and the best defensive line in the nation, defensive ends Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry, ranked No. 3 and No. 14 overall, might be too talented to stand on the sidelines. Expect both to at least work into the D-Line rotation as freshmen.
Clemson also landed Jackson Carman, a five-star tackle from Ohio, and Deruin Kendrick, an elite receiver prospect who could push for playing time since two of the Tigers’ top wideouts from last year’s team opted to leave school early for the NFL Draft.