The 2018 signing class marked Dabo Swinney’s tenth as Clemson’s head coach – and it may be the top group of signees in school history. Recruiting has dramatically improved in Death Valley since Swinney’s early years, as the Tigers have gone from a middle-of-the-road program from a recruiting perspective late last decade, to the undisputed top program in the ACC. ACCSports.com ranks Clemson’s ten signing classes under Swinney.
No. 10 – Class of 2009
The 2009 class was Dabo Swinney’s first at Clemson – just months after he became interim head coach. Predictably, it was a small class – just 15 signees. It was also the only Clemson signing class over the last decade not to crack the top 30 of the national rankings. The key addition of this class for Clemson was quarterback Tajh Boyd, who became a two-time first-team All-ACC performer, and the ACC Player of the Year and first-team All-American in 2012. Boyd also led Clemson to victory in the Orange Bowl. Like Boyd, some of the other top prospects in this class, including offensive tackle Brandon Thomas and defensive end Malliciah Goodman, made their way to the NFL.
No. 9 – Class of 2010
Things were improving for Clemson by 2010, Swinney’s first full recruiting cycle in Death Valley. But the Tigers were still a year away from their rise into the recruiting stratosphere. Ironically, the top prospect in this class for the Tigers turned out to be their lowest-rated signee – unranked 2-star Vic Beasley. Beasley went on to become ACC Defensive Player of the Year before embarking on a Pro Bowl NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. Fellow defensive lineman signee Tavaris Barnes is also playing in the NFL out of Clemson’s 2010 class.
No. 8 – Class of 2012
By 2012, the Tigers were back as a perennial top 20 program in the national team recruiting rankings. And while Clemson’s 2012 class doesn’t rank quite as highly as other recent classes, this 20-man group possessed plenty of talent. Carlos Watkins and D.J. Reader – two of Clemson’s eight 4-star signees in this class – are now teammates with the Houston Texans. Another lineman – offensive tackle Isaiah Battle – also found a home in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.
No. 7 – Class of 2017
This class would likely be ranked higher if it had more than 14 signees – the smallest signing class of the Dabo Swinney era at Clemson. And while 5-star quarterback Hunter Johnson wound up transferring out, Clemson’s other 5-star in this class, wide receiver Tee Higgins, is poised for a breakout 2018 season. Amari Rodgers is another ’17 signee projected to start at wide receiver for Clemson this fall. Numerous other key pieces of this class, including cornerback A.J. Terrell, defensive end Justin Foster, and running back Travis Etienne, will be key backups for the Tigers.
No. 6 – Class of 2016
The 2018 season will provide a chance for many of Clemson’s 2016 signees to prove that their class should be ranked higher on this list. 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is a likely early first round projection in the 2019 NFL Draft, and an All-ACC candidate. Other projected Clemson starters from the ’16 class include running back Tavien Feaster, middle linebacker Tre Lamar, cornerback Trayvon Mullen, guard John Simpson, wide receiver Diondre Overton, offensive tackle Sean Pollard, and safety Isaiah Simmons.
No. 5 – Class of 2013
The 2013 class was one of the foundation classes as the Tigers built towards the national championship. Although the highest-ranked prospect in this class – cornerback Mackensie Alexander – left after the 2015 season to join the Minnesota Vikings – numerous key contributors on Clemson’s 2016 NCAA title team, including defensive end Shaq Lawson, inebackers Ben Boulware and Dorian O’Daniel, lineman Tyrone Crowder, wide receiver Mike Williams, and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, all signed with the Tigers in 2013.
No. 4 – Class of 2014
Clemson’s 2014 class gets the slight nod over the 2013 class due to the presence of Deshaun Watson. Watson led Clemson to its highest heights in more than thirty years, bringing a national championship back to Death Valley. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Artavis Scott also was a key component of the ’14 class, as was Adam Choice, whose Clemson career was curtailed by injuries. Multiple projected 2018 Clemson starters, including tight end Milan Richard, center Justin Falcinelli, and linebacker Kendall Joseph, were also part of this class for the Tigers.
No. 3 – Class of 2011
The 2011 class is the one that put Dabo Swinney on the map as an elite recruiter. The Tigers stunned observers by pulling 5-star wide receiver Sammy Watkins out of Florida, and 5-star linebacker Stephone Anthony out of North Carolina. Both are now in the NFL. Another 5-star linebacker and future pro – Tony Steward – also signed with the Tigers out of this class. Future NFL wide receivers Charone Peake and Martavis Bryant were also pieces of Clemson’s ’11 class.
No. 2 – Class of 2015
Clemson’s 2015 class – the second under Swinney to crack the top ten of the 247Sports Composite national team rankings – features many of the program’s top current players. All-ACC candidates Mitch Hyatt, Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, and Austin Bryant are all products of this class. Starting quarterback Kelly Bryant was also a member of this class, as an underrated 3-star. 2015 also produced NFL wide receivers Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud, as well as projected 2018 starting safety Tanner Muse.
No. 1 – Class of 2018
The 2018 class was Swinney’s third-smallest at Clemson – just 17 signees. But the Tigers managed to lure five of the nation’s top 26 players in the 247Sports Composite to Death Valley. The list includes pro-style quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, and defensive end Xavier Thomas, the No. 3 prospect nationally. Fellow defensive end K.J. Henry and offensive tackle Jackson Carman cracked the top 20, while in-state wide receiver Derion Kendrick rounded out Clemson’s 5-star haul. At no other point in school history has Clemson signed five 5-star prospects in the same signing class.