Clemson football: Tigers 5-star target decommits, where could he go now?

With Clemson football losing both of their top assistants, head coach Dabo Swinney has to go back to the recruiting drawing board.

Brent Venables was the primary recruiting contact for five-star Clemson target Daylen Everette, a cornerback out of Bradenton, Florida. Venables is now the coach at Oklahoma, leaving Everette feeling like the primary reason he chose Clemson is no longer existent.

Everette released a statement on his decision:

"“I want to thank the whole Clemson staff for everything they’ve done for my family and I. I am very grateful for Coach Swinney, Coach Reed and the rest of the Clemson staff for believing in my talents and providing me with an opportunity to play football at the next level. After a long talk with my family, I have decided that it is in my best interest to decommit from Clemson University. So as of now, I will be opening my recruitment back up. I wish nothing but the best for Clemson University.”"

Swinney will surely deal with more of this after losing both Venables and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott. It’s only natural. However, can he keep his ’22 class together, for the most part?

Clemson football: Where could Daylen Everette go next?

Everette hasn’t taken an official visit to Oklahoma, nor are they favored to land him at this juncture. However, it would be naive for Venables not to at least make a phone call. And given their connection at Clemson, Everette is likely to at least consider the option.

Behind Clemson, Everette also considered local schools like Georgia, North Carolina, Florida State and Alabama, among others. Oklahoma would be further from home, and depending on how important that is to Everette, it could eliminate them altogether.

Everette, who goes to school at IMG Academy, is the third high-profile target from the high school to re-open their recruitment after Venables took his talents to Norman. At this point, it feels like a trend.

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