On National Signing Day, Clemson signed eight football recruits to its 2022 recruiting class, who have the opportunity to play prominent roles in Clemson’s success for years to come. With that being said, here are five recruits who will help make an impact on day one.
T.J. Dudley
T.J. Dudley was the final player that signed with Clemson during National Signing Day and is a major signee for the Tigers. Dudley is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Montgomery, Alabama, and had 20 total offers.
As a three-year starter, Dudley was a force to be reckoned with and had 381 tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and seven interceptions for Montgomery Catholic.
Dudley signed with Clemson after decommitting from Oregon after Mario Cristobal left for the University of Miami (FL). He is a four-star linebacker according to 247 Sports and is the highest-ranked linebacker in Clemson’s recruiting class.
Caden Story
Another big player that signed with Clemson on National Signing Day was four-star defensive lineman Caden Story. Like Dudley, Story was committed to another team, Auburn, for a significant period of time before deciding to come to Clemson.
Story is 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, and had 73 tackles, 20 quarterback pressures and 17 sacks during his senior season.
This is a significant signee for Clemson. He will add depth to the team and help fill the void of the defensive line during the 2023 season after most of Clemson’s defensive line starters will be gone.
“He’s got the chance to be a great player… He’s that sneaky athletic, going to be a big, big man,” said coach Swinney. “He’s just got this mentality you can’t teach.”
Kylon Griffin
Kylon Griffin was one of two defensive backs who signed with Clemson on National Signing Day, but he verbally committed to Clemson in late January over Nebraska and Southern California. He was also high school teammates with Dudley.
Griffin is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and, according to 247sports, a three-star recruit. While at Montgomery Catholic, Griffin had 161 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Griffin can play all over the field and will help add depth to the safety room, at least early in his career.
Myles Oliver
Myles Oliver was the other defensive back that signed with Clemson on National Signing Day and is a 6’0”, 170-pound cornerback from Douglasville, Georgia. During his senior season, Oliver had 75 total tackles, five interceptions and two passes deflected. Like Griffin, Oliver will help add depth to the secondary and could see the field earlier than later. A stand-out trait of Myles Oliver is his speed, which coach Swinney noted during the National Signing Day press conference. “He can fly… I was kind of comparing him to a Coty Sensabaugh… He [Oliver] is fast and an awesome, awesome kid.”
Keith Adams Jr.
The final impact player that signed with Clemson during National Signing Day was running backKeith Adams Jr.
Adams is the son of former Clemson linebacker Keith Adams who played for Clemson from 1998-2000. Adams Jr. rushed for 1,376 yards and 22 touchdowns while having 217 receiving yards his senior year, earning him first-team all-state and all-region honors.
Adams Jr. is the only running back in Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class and chose the Tigers over Air Force, Marshall and South Florida.
“He’s tough,” said coach Swinney. “He’s got a mentality, and I love his spirit.”
Overall, Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class is extremely talented and skilled, but make sure to keep an eye on these five guys to make an immediate impact for the Tigers.
Five instant impact signees from National Signing Day
Matson Montilla, Asst. Sports Editor
February 10, 2022
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