There is often a lot of buzz around versatile playmakers in high school recruiting classes for college football. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and elite defensive playmakers often garner the most attention, but when it comes to the actual protection of a college program’s quarterback, there is one constant: the line of scrimmage. This is where obtaining efficient offensive linemen from the transfer portal or the high school ranks comes into effect.
The signing day period has come and gone. Amid all the transfer chaos and commitment flips, Clemson football offensive line coach Matt Luke crushed the recruiting trail this cycle. Luke left an impact on numerous high-profile offensive linemen — many of the offensive linemen that the Clemson football coaching staff targeted, they got.
The 2026 Clemson football recruiting class featured numerous, prominent offensive linemen. So let’s take a closer look at the signees and where they could potentially fit on Clemson’s depth chart for the upcoming season.
Chance Barclay: With a hulking 6-foot-4 frame, Barclay is a consensus four-star prospect out of Florida, according to numerous outlets. According to Andrew Ivins of 247Sports, Barclay “pairs sound technique with relentless effort.” Barclay can also be used along the interior of the offensive line. He could be in the mix for a starting position along the offensive line going into the fall.
Leo Delaney: Delaney was a four-star prospect, according to most recruiting services out of nearby Charlotte, North Carolina. Delaney had a ton of interest from numerous Big Ten programs, but he ultimately chose Clemson. Coming in at 6-foot–5, Delaney can definitely be a cornerstone to Clemson’s future offensive line success. Expect Delaney to fight for a starting spot this fall.
Grant Wise: A four-star prospect from Florida, Wise is a raw prospect with tremendous upside. In high school, Wise was a competitive weightlifter, lifting more than 400 pounds on bench. He brings ideal strength and athleticism to the position. Wise can be considered a wild card at the position, as he is a tad shorter than some other offensive linemen that signed with Clemson. With his toolset, he could even compete for the starting center. But make no mistake, this guy has a lot of upside potential.
Carter Scruggs: Scruggs is a consensus four-star prospect out of Virginia. According to 247Sports, he was a multi-sport athlete in high school, which could potentially be beneficial for him later down the road of his football career. He also plays with patience and balance in his game. Scruggs is similar in height to Delaney, with both being 6-foot-5. He could also be in the mix for a starting position going into the fall.
Adam Guthrie: Guthrie is Clemson’s first offensive lineman signee from the state of Ohio since Tucker Kattus a year ago. He’s a four-star recruit, and he also played basketball in high school and has experience on the defensive side of the football. Guthrie will most likely have second-team reps to start his career at Clemson.
Braden Wilmes: Wilmes is a consensus three-star prospect from Kansas. He is a Clemson legacy recruit, with some of his family attending Clemson in the past. Wilmes is the tallest of all the offensive linemen, coming in at 6-foot-8. He is a signee that has a ton of upside, but expect him to see second team reps coming into the fall. With his formidable size, he could be a problem for opposing defenses in the future.
With Clemson’s current roster of offensive linemen and the right mix of talent coming in this offseason, it’s safe to say that Clemson’s 2026 quarterback will be in good hands.
