MONDAY INSIDER
By: Paul Strelow
1. Time can heal most wounds.
Recruiting, though, tends to offer more immediate relief.
Both for the emotional boost as well as providing the hope that such hurt won't be incurred again.
Make no mistake, losing to South Carolina does Clemson no favors on the recruiting trail. The Tigers have given their rival new life and their critics further ammunition as the ever-important offseason approaches and perception influences 2024 recruitments.
Yet as we've let the smoke clear before assessing the damage, it's also clear that the consequences aren't nearly as foreboding as one might have concluded in the moment.
After all, recruiters at elite programs should be able to sell losing as opportunity -- to a certain point, at least -- just as well as they can winning.
Moreover, here's an anecdote: We were told that in the post-game locker room address, Dabo Swinney declared at least a half-dozen times, if not more, that he loved freshman receiver Antonio Williams -- whose fumble secured the defeat. Swinney also expressed appreciation for specific individuals who gutted out injuries and played through the pain.
Several Clemson recruits were witnesses afterward. While most of the time you read about the impact of the celebration scene inside a locker room, we've had multiple contacts share the favorable impression Swinney left with how he and the team conducted themselves in the midst of frustration and disappointment.
You've heard us reiterate this before: Clemson does family so, so well.
The Tigers had 17 of their 23 commitments on hand Saturday from far and wide, including but not limited to unofficial visitors in Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian four-star quarterback Chris Vizzina, Warner Robins (Ga.) four-star defensive tackle Vic Burley, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson four-star defensive lineman Peter Woods, Phenix City (Ala.) Central four-star defensive end Tomarrion Parker, College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star end AJ Hoffler, Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols four-star receiver Ronan Hanafin, Naples (Fla.) First Baptist Academy tight end Olsen Henry, Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood Catholic tight end Markus Dixon, Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake four-star corner Avieon Terrell, Alpharetta (Ga.) St. Francis four-star corner Branden Strozier, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark four-star linebacker Dee Crayton, Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek four-star linebacker Jamal Anderson, Greenville (S.C.) receiver Tyler Brown and Central (S.C.) Daniel athlete Misun Kelley.
Swinney entertained Clemson's attending commitments as well as four official visitors at his home Saturday evening, and our returns suggest that to have been a fruitful experience.
Tomorrow is never promised. But Clemson's future retains ... and stands to soon gain ... plenty of promise.
2. Even though he announced after the release of last week's edition, we feel we adequately closed the book on the courtship of Parker.
One point to which we do want to circle back: Recall in July when Clemson's bull's-eyed remaining target at the time -- another Alabama prospect in Hewitt (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville four-star Hunter Osborne -- did an about-face for Bama.
There wasn't an obvious next-in-line option, and that alone spawned panic and/or criticism among the reactions on the WestZone message board.
It's one thing to express concern about the current state of affairs. It's another to render judgment premature when the cycle is far from over.
Parker is just the latest evidence for why Clemson isn't in the immediate rush that fans tend to be in over filling a spot.
There are no guarantees. But candidates often surface when patience is exuded.
Four-star offensive tackle and weekend Clemson visitor Spencer Fano of Provo, UT. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We'll also share that Parker has already emerged as one of the vocal leaders and recruiters within the class.
Bonus points.
On to the next ...
As you know, Clemson christened its 2024 class the previous day with the announcement from Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star junior corner Tavoy Feagin.
The third and final pledge for the calendar week occurred on Thanksgiving with the announcement from Greenville (S.C.) receiver Tyler Brown.
Not that there was much drama involved; once Brown (5-10, 170) picked up his Clemson offer at the Louisville game two weeks prior, this one was over.
But we do want to point out the amount of intel the Tigers had at their disposal.
Patrick Sapp -- former Clemson standout, as well as the father of freshman tight end Josh Sapp -- coaches quarterbacks at Greenville High, so he's quite familiar with Brown's game. Greenville's offensive line coach, Amos Lamb, is greatly respected and has trained a number of Clemson linemen in the offseason.
So this wasn't a case of the Tigers stumbling on a late-bloomer local talent. They've known and carried him in their back pocket.
In terms of scholarship numbers, we consider it important to note this will now go down as a four-receiver class, as we've reported that Central (S.C.) Daniel's Misun "Tink" Kelley was taken by Swinney as an offensive player.
3. Brown, Rockwall (Texas) four-star receiver commitment Noble Johnson and Stockbridge (Ga.) corner commitment Shelton Lewis joined four uncommitted targets among the official visitor roll call.
One of the most salient appearances, though, came via an unofficial visit from a commitment.
Riverview (Fla.) Sumner four-star safety Kylen Webb took in the game with his father and siblings.
Webb (6-1, 185) picked the Tigers over FSU after taking his official visit to Clemson in early June. The 'Noles never got their scheduled official later that month.
Because of distance and the high school schedule, Webb had not made a Clemson game this fall.
He then surfaced at FSU's win against Louisiana a week ago, rightfully raising eyesbrows.
As we first informed subscribers, FSU had invited Webb's brother, Keon -- a 6-4, 285-pound junior defensive tackle who landed a Florida Atlantic offer in the spring. Kylen and their father joined Keon on the visit.
To what degree Kylen entertained FSU's thinly veiled overtures during the visit, we didn't know.
But we reported last week that Webb continued to tell Clemson all the right things, per our sources.
Kylen then referred to Clemson as home in a midweek social media post revealing the weekend trip to Death Valley.
As we wrote in last week's edition, we'd find out rather soon whether Webb was to be believed.
Well, we are now quite confident he was to be based on our info from sources on all sides of the equation.
There was no drama in the first place, and Webb will be among the dozen midyear enrollees reporting to campus Jan. 8.
4. Feagin kicked off Clemson's 2024 class last week.
Let's just say we don't think it will be long until it grows.
One of Saturday's unannounced guests was Cornelius (N.C.) Hough kicker Nolan Hauser.
We don't cover many specialists recruitments. But Hauser (6-1, 170) has been an exception more so for the competition than his connections.
N.C. State offered two weeks ago to go with offers from UNC and Maryland. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Penn State have also been involved.
As we've chronicled, though, both of Hauser's parents were Clemson athletes, and his sister is on the women's soccer team.
A legacy through and through.
Rivals100 defensive lineman and weekend Clemson visitor Hevin-Brown Shuler of Atlanta, Ga. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We reported that Hauser starred at the Swinney Camp in June, and Clemson brought him in for its victory against N.C. State. He then came back and picked up an offer at last week's Miami game.
In last week's edition, we indicated that our intel had the Tar Heels as Clemson's main threat.
Timely then, that Hauser made plans to attend this Saturday's ACC Championship pitting Clemson against UNC in his hometown.
Hauser, now a projection to Clemson by Tigerillustrated.com, broke the state's career made field goals record during Hough's close playoff loss Friday night. He has connected on 54 of 66 career tries and made all 57 of his extra points this season.
The previous record was held by eventual Iowa standout Keith Duncan.
B.T. Potter has been such a reliable weapon for Clemson, and there are reasons to feel encouraged about how the Tigers will replace him over time.
5. With that, we now unveil another of Saturday's most important visitors.
We can tell you Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy four-star junior defensive tackle Hevin Brown-Shuler quietly returned with his mother and another family member.
Brown-Shuler (6-5, 290), ranked No. 36 nationally by Rivals.com, scored the rare early offer for an underclassman when Swinney pulled the trigger at the April spring game.
He attended Clemson's home opener and summarily returned for the Tigers' victory against N.C. State in early October.
In the aftermath, we highlighted that visit specifically as being influential to Clemson's eventual puzzle.
One of Brown-Shuler's social media posts last week showing video of him at Clemson led many observers to erroneously think he had visited for the previous weekend's game against Miami.
No, but we did consider it foreshadowing.
Ironically, we've maintained that industry sentiment having Brown-Shuler as a Gamecocks lean -- he was born in Columbia and has family in Lexington -- was believed premature.
Based on our returns, our read was reinforced this past weekend.
There is an element of Brown-Shuler making all his suitors feel good about their standing. So we exercise a bit of caution in overselling the situation.
But a lot is adding up in Clemson's favor.
The other early bird offer this cycle, as you know, went to Jefferson (Ga.) four-star linebacker Sammy Brown, who was also back for the third time this season.
We continue to frame that recruitment as low and slow, with Brown (6-2, 220) -- ranked No. 20 -- in no hurry to differentiate the field. Although our belief remains that UGA, Clemson and Tennessee are the prime contenders.
Yet we would tell you Brown made this trip with his little cousin, whose mother was a Clemson cheerleader around 15 years ago.
Per our intel, that kid probably still hasn't washed his hand after getting a high-five from Tigers running back Will Shipley.
Again, Clemson does family so, so well.
6. There are plenty more significant juniors and underclassmen who visited over the weekend, so before you ask, we'll cover them over the course of the coming days.
But it was the rivalry game, so in-state recruiting efforts always take center stage.
With as late as the game occurs during a cycle, the outcome logically carries influence mostly with the juniors who will be rendering their decisions in the coming offseason months.
Clemson's pursuits for the 2024 instate crop have been concentrated on the offensive line.
The Tigers have three offers out to Palmetto State junior linemen. All three competed at the Swinney Camp in June, and all three took in at least one other Clemson game this fall.
The Tigers were to have all three together Saturday for the first time since the program's underclassmen junior day at a March spring practice. But after Dillon (S.C.) four-star tackle Josiah Thompson lost a heartbreaker in the playoffs late Friday night, a quick turnaround trip was bagged.
So then there were two: Woodland (S.C.) Dorchester four-star Kam Pringle and Greenville (S.C.) four-star Blake Franks.
Riverview (Fla.) four-star Clemson commit and weekend visitor Kylen Webb. (Tigerillustrated.com)
With Franks (6-5, 305), we've already framed for subscribers that it's more the matter of when and not if for Clemson to nab its fourth Greenville product over the span of three cycles.
Other suitors have essentially conceded Franks to the Tigers, whom we brought to light earlier this month made a rare weekday visit to campus.
Franks is leaning toward a December decision but has not nailed down a date.
Thompson might follow in the footsteps of Dillon predecessors as a strong South Carolina lean, to be determined.
Yet as circumstances stand, the actual battle figures to be for Pringle (6-6, 330), ranked No. 39 in the country.
Pringle likewise attended Clemson's victory against N.C. State almost two months ago. He arrived right around kickoff and had to leave immediately after the contest.
Despite the early kickoff this time, he arrived with his uncle and a pair of teammates several hours ahead of time to get in front of the staff.
Pringle has made trips to UGA, South Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia, Florida and N.C. State this fall.
Clemson has a seat at the table, but we've cited that the competition with South Carolina, Florida and UGA is stiff in this instance.
From all we've gathered, though, we consider the two in-state candidates the most likely options when all is said and done.
We'd probably still give the Gamecocks the edge as the race stands today.
But we do know that Pringle took note of Clemson's offensive line performance in favorable comparison to that of South Carolina's.
Furthermore, the race is thought far from over.
7. That's not the case with the four uncommitted official visitors -- a high number by Clemson's standard this late in the cycle -- who all arrived on campus by late Friday night.
The Tigers have had eyes on a fourth offensive line take, and they finally got their at-bat for the lone uncommitted target.
Provo (Utah) Timpview four-star offensive tackle Spencer Fano corralled a Clemson offer six weeks ago and immediately elected to give the Tigers a look before reaching recruiting resolution.
Fano (6-5, 260), ranked No. 188 in the country, has already taken officials to his other three finalists: Michigan, Utah and Oregon. His brother plays at BYU, but Fano eliminated them as an option last month.
It has been unclear which of those schools might hold the edge -- which supported the notion Clemson had a genuine shot.
Fano was accompanied by his parents, and based on our returns the Tigers made a strong impression. Enough to put them in legit contention as Fano advances toward a Dec. 6 announcement.
Utah collected a commitment Sunday from Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland high-three star tackle Caleb Lomu, a friend, and the Utes have a lot of voices in their corner. We wouldn't dismiss Michigan either, for that matter, considering the season the Wolverines are having and their offensive identity.
There's an element here of waiting to see what happens once the visit high subsides and Fano sorts through his final considerations.
8. Half of the uncommitted official visit docket went to the one position yet to be addressed for this class: running back.
Let's start with simplicity, and that's Roanoke (Ala.) Handley's Jamarius "Jay" Haynes.
As you know, the Tigers offered Haynes (6-0, 185) out of nowhere upon his visit one month ago.
Clemson was his first offer at any level, period.
Washington State and Western Kentucky have since tossed their names in the hat. But one of those suitors doesn't look like the others.
Haynes has talked about not rushing into a decision and perhaps not signing in December, which raised readers' eyebrows if not concern levels.
We warned, though, to avoid reading too much into that.
Leverage is a powerful tool.
Haynes informed Tigerillustrated.com that he now is likely to sign in December and announce around the time of the Dec. 21 signing period.
Suffice it to say, the trip to the Swinney estate was unlike anything Haynes has experienced to date.
He also was paired through the weekend with former walk-on running back Domonique Thomas, who also hails from Alabama.
We've reported it's first-come, first-serve as circumstances currently stand.
Yes, we like the Tigers' chances of coming away with at least one appealing signee at running back.
9. If there's someone you might not want to race, it's the other candidate.
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard high-three star speedster running back Christopher Johnson was the relative surprise to the official visitor list, having affirmed his trip later in the week.
Johnson (5-11, 182) picked up a Clemson offer in early June but did not take up his invitation to the July All-In Cookout, opting instead to go to Miami and Ole Miss on unofficials that week.
All signs pointed to the hometown Hurricanes getting his commitment at summer's end, but Johnson never pulled the trigger.
Thus Clemson stayed in touch, as we've documented, with running backs coach C.J. Spiller traveling to scout one of Johnson's games last month.
Johnson took his official to Ole Miss two weeks ago, with reports subsequently surfacing that the Rebels might have seized the lead.
Miami then drew Johnson back to campus for an uncharacteristic Sunday visit the day (Sunday) after the team returned from its defeat at Clemson.
The Clemson visit, in one respect, was a matter of Johnson wanting to utilize his available officials; he also has a Dec. 9 official visit to Penn State on the itinerary.
Yet we also consider it a nod to the respect his family has for Clemson. As we brought to light during the summer, Johnson's uncle, Kendrick, signed with Clemson as a 2006 receiver from Fort Lauderdale and roomed his lone season with Spiller. Swinney, naturally, was the receivers coach who recruited him.
We also shared recently that our sources felt Johnson's mind fluctuates with each visit.
In this instance, quite possibly for the better.
One source told us Clemson covered a lot of ground with Johnson over the weekend.
Johnson spent considerable time with Shipley as well as freshman linebacker Kobe McCloud, a fellow Floridian.
We believe his father had a stellar time, another key to the visit.
Clemson has been selling Johnson on its need to add a speed threat, and Saturday's performance both substantiated that as well as reinforced the Tigers' reliance on the run game.
As you saw, Johnson told Rivals.com regional analyst Ryan Wright that Clemson was his new No. 1.
Miami surely has another trick up its sleeve, while Ole Miss will circle its wagons upon establishing that Lane Kiffin is staying at the school.
Johnson, a summer enrollee, hasn't set a decision date. But he plans to sign early, and we have reason to suggest Clemson's one available spot is a factor in his thinking, per our contacts.
A December to remember is now more of a possibility than anyone would have anticipated a few short weeks ago.
Bogart (Ga.) safety and Clemson offer Khalil Barnes is shown here in Death Valley on Saturday prior to kickoff. (Tigerillustrated.com)
10. Coming full circle to our theme about the influence of a single-game outcome -- or lack thereof -- we close with the fourth and final official visitor, Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee athlete Khalil Barnes.
For the bulk of the calendar year, we've circled Clemson as holding the cards for Barnes (6-1, 185). Its offer in September prompted him to decommit from Wake Forest, which then brought responsive offers from UNC, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech.
Notre Dame added to that mix, with a twist of being the one suitor telling Barnes he will start off as a receiver.
Barnes went on his official visit to Notre Dame for its demonstrative victory over Clemson earlier this month, which seemingly gave the Irish quite a bit of momentum.
This is also why it was so substantial a month ago that the Tigers locked in the final relevant official visit.
Ahem, time can heal most wounds.
Clemson's recruiting staff was waiting at the hotel around midnight Friday once Barnes arrived from his team's 4A playoffs quarterfinal victory.
Barnes has a great relationship with Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. They talk twice a week, and there isn't a college coach with whom he has a closer rapport.
But Clemson safeties coach Mickey Conn is right there, and the Tigers have exponentially more tentacles around Barnes.
Let's put it this way: If you'd have observed Barnes hanging with Parker, Burley, Vizzina and Hanafin before the game, you'd have assumed Barnes a Clemson commitment. But he'd only met most of them this past weekend.
The fun carried into dinner at Swinney's house, and then Barnes and his family went out afterward with graduating safety Jalyn Phillips and his family.
Dare we repeat ... Clemson does family so, so well.
Barnes is set to announce his destination Dec. 16.
The Tigers made Barnes wait for his offer.
Our perspective was this: Barnes was then going to make Clemson wait for him to come back around.
Notre Dame won the game. Well, we again like Clemson's chances of prevailing in this individual recruiting war.
The South Carolina outcome didn't go the way the Tigers wanted. But their recruiting weekend sure did.
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By: Paul Strelow
1. Time can heal most wounds.
Recruiting, though, tends to offer more immediate relief.
Both for the emotional boost as well as providing the hope that such hurt won't be incurred again.
Make no mistake, losing to South Carolina does Clemson no favors on the recruiting trail. The Tigers have given their rival new life and their critics further ammunition as the ever-important offseason approaches and perception influences 2024 recruitments.
Yet as we've let the smoke clear before assessing the damage, it's also clear that the consequences aren't nearly as foreboding as one might have concluded in the moment.
After all, recruiters at elite programs should be able to sell losing as opportunity -- to a certain point, at least -- just as well as they can winning.
Moreover, here's an anecdote: We were told that in the post-game locker room address, Dabo Swinney declared at least a half-dozen times, if not more, that he loved freshman receiver Antonio Williams -- whose fumble secured the defeat. Swinney also expressed appreciation for specific individuals who gutted out injuries and played through the pain.
Several Clemson recruits were witnesses afterward. While most of the time you read about the impact of the celebration scene inside a locker room, we've had multiple contacts share the favorable impression Swinney left with how he and the team conducted themselves in the midst of frustration and disappointment.
You've heard us reiterate this before: Clemson does family so, so well.
The Tigers had 17 of their 23 commitments on hand Saturday from far and wide, including but not limited to unofficial visitors in Birmingham (Ala.) Briarwood Christian four-star quarterback Chris Vizzina, Warner Robins (Ga.) four-star defensive tackle Vic Burley, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson four-star defensive lineman Peter Woods, Phenix City (Ala.) Central four-star defensive end Tomarrion Parker, College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star end AJ Hoffler, Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols four-star receiver Ronan Hanafin, Naples (Fla.) First Baptist Academy tight end Olsen Henry, Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood Catholic tight end Markus Dixon, Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake four-star corner Avieon Terrell, Alpharetta (Ga.) St. Francis four-star corner Branden Strozier, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark four-star linebacker Dee Crayton, Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek four-star linebacker Jamal Anderson, Greenville (S.C.) receiver Tyler Brown and Central (S.C.) Daniel athlete Misun Kelley.
Swinney entertained Clemson's attending commitments as well as four official visitors at his home Saturday evening, and our returns suggest that to have been a fruitful experience.
Tomorrow is never promised. But Clemson's future retains ... and stands to soon gain ... plenty of promise.
2. Even though he announced after the release of last week's edition, we feel we adequately closed the book on the courtship of Parker.
One point to which we do want to circle back: Recall in July when Clemson's bull's-eyed remaining target at the time -- another Alabama prospect in Hewitt (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville four-star Hunter Osborne -- did an about-face for Bama.
There wasn't an obvious next-in-line option, and that alone spawned panic and/or criticism among the reactions on the WestZone message board.
It's one thing to express concern about the current state of affairs. It's another to render judgment premature when the cycle is far from over.
Parker is just the latest evidence for why Clemson isn't in the immediate rush that fans tend to be in over filling a spot.
There are no guarantees. But candidates often surface when patience is exuded.
Four-star offensive tackle and weekend Clemson visitor Spencer Fano of Provo, UT. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We'll also share that Parker has already emerged as one of the vocal leaders and recruiters within the class.
Bonus points.
On to the next ...
As you know, Clemson christened its 2024 class the previous day with the announcement from Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star junior corner Tavoy Feagin.
The third and final pledge for the calendar week occurred on Thanksgiving with the announcement from Greenville (S.C.) receiver Tyler Brown.
Not that there was much drama involved; once Brown (5-10, 170) picked up his Clemson offer at the Louisville game two weeks prior, this one was over.
But we do want to point out the amount of intel the Tigers had at their disposal.
Patrick Sapp -- former Clemson standout, as well as the father of freshman tight end Josh Sapp -- coaches quarterbacks at Greenville High, so he's quite familiar with Brown's game. Greenville's offensive line coach, Amos Lamb, is greatly respected and has trained a number of Clemson linemen in the offseason.
So this wasn't a case of the Tigers stumbling on a late-bloomer local talent. They've known and carried him in their back pocket.
In terms of scholarship numbers, we consider it important to note this will now go down as a four-receiver class, as we've reported that Central (S.C.) Daniel's Misun "Tink" Kelley was taken by Swinney as an offensive player.
3. Brown, Rockwall (Texas) four-star receiver commitment Noble Johnson and Stockbridge (Ga.) corner commitment Shelton Lewis joined four uncommitted targets among the official visitor roll call.
One of the most salient appearances, though, came via an unofficial visit from a commitment.
Riverview (Fla.) Sumner four-star safety Kylen Webb took in the game with his father and siblings.
Webb (6-1, 185) picked the Tigers over FSU after taking his official visit to Clemson in early June. The 'Noles never got their scheduled official later that month.
Because of distance and the high school schedule, Webb had not made a Clemson game this fall.
He then surfaced at FSU's win against Louisiana a week ago, rightfully raising eyesbrows.
As we first informed subscribers, FSU had invited Webb's brother, Keon -- a 6-4, 285-pound junior defensive tackle who landed a Florida Atlantic offer in the spring. Kylen and their father joined Keon on the visit.
To what degree Kylen entertained FSU's thinly veiled overtures during the visit, we didn't know.
But we reported last week that Webb continued to tell Clemson all the right things, per our sources.
Kylen then referred to Clemson as home in a midweek social media post revealing the weekend trip to Death Valley.
As we wrote in last week's edition, we'd find out rather soon whether Webb was to be believed.
Well, we are now quite confident he was to be based on our info from sources on all sides of the equation.
There was no drama in the first place, and Webb will be among the dozen midyear enrollees reporting to campus Jan. 8.
4. Feagin kicked off Clemson's 2024 class last week.
Let's just say we don't think it will be long until it grows.
One of Saturday's unannounced guests was Cornelius (N.C.) Hough kicker Nolan Hauser.
We don't cover many specialists recruitments. But Hauser (6-1, 170) has been an exception more so for the competition than his connections.
N.C. State offered two weeks ago to go with offers from UNC and Maryland. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Penn State have also been involved.
As we've chronicled, though, both of Hauser's parents were Clemson athletes, and his sister is on the women's soccer team.
A legacy through and through.
Rivals100 defensive lineman and weekend Clemson visitor Hevin-Brown Shuler of Atlanta, Ga. (Tigerillustrated.com)
We reported that Hauser starred at the Swinney Camp in June, and Clemson brought him in for its victory against N.C. State. He then came back and picked up an offer at last week's Miami game.
In last week's edition, we indicated that our intel had the Tar Heels as Clemson's main threat.
Timely then, that Hauser made plans to attend this Saturday's ACC Championship pitting Clemson against UNC in his hometown.
Hauser, now a projection to Clemson by Tigerillustrated.com, broke the state's career made field goals record during Hough's close playoff loss Friday night. He has connected on 54 of 66 career tries and made all 57 of his extra points this season.
The previous record was held by eventual Iowa standout Keith Duncan.
B.T. Potter has been such a reliable weapon for Clemson, and there are reasons to feel encouraged about how the Tigers will replace him over time.
5. With that, we now unveil another of Saturday's most important visitors.
We can tell you Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy four-star junior defensive tackle Hevin Brown-Shuler quietly returned with his mother and another family member.
Brown-Shuler (6-5, 290), ranked No. 36 nationally by Rivals.com, scored the rare early offer for an underclassman when Swinney pulled the trigger at the April spring game.
He attended Clemson's home opener and summarily returned for the Tigers' victory against N.C. State in early October.
In the aftermath, we highlighted that visit specifically as being influential to Clemson's eventual puzzle.
One of Brown-Shuler's social media posts last week showing video of him at Clemson led many observers to erroneously think he had visited for the previous weekend's game against Miami.
No, but we did consider it foreshadowing.
Ironically, we've maintained that industry sentiment having Brown-Shuler as a Gamecocks lean -- he was born in Columbia and has family in Lexington -- was believed premature.
Based on our returns, our read was reinforced this past weekend.
There is an element of Brown-Shuler making all his suitors feel good about their standing. So we exercise a bit of caution in overselling the situation.
But a lot is adding up in Clemson's favor.
The other early bird offer this cycle, as you know, went to Jefferson (Ga.) four-star linebacker Sammy Brown, who was also back for the third time this season.
We continue to frame that recruitment as low and slow, with Brown (6-2, 220) -- ranked No. 20 -- in no hurry to differentiate the field. Although our belief remains that UGA, Clemson and Tennessee are the prime contenders.
Yet we would tell you Brown made this trip with his little cousin, whose mother was a Clemson cheerleader around 15 years ago.
Per our intel, that kid probably still hasn't washed his hand after getting a high-five from Tigers running back Will Shipley.
Again, Clemson does family so, so well.
6. There are plenty more significant juniors and underclassmen who visited over the weekend, so before you ask, we'll cover them over the course of the coming days.
But it was the rivalry game, so in-state recruiting efforts always take center stage.
With as late as the game occurs during a cycle, the outcome logically carries influence mostly with the juniors who will be rendering their decisions in the coming offseason months.
Clemson's pursuits for the 2024 instate crop have been concentrated on the offensive line.
The Tigers have three offers out to Palmetto State junior linemen. All three competed at the Swinney Camp in June, and all three took in at least one other Clemson game this fall.
The Tigers were to have all three together Saturday for the first time since the program's underclassmen junior day at a March spring practice. But after Dillon (S.C.) four-star tackle Josiah Thompson lost a heartbreaker in the playoffs late Friday night, a quick turnaround trip was bagged.
So then there were two: Woodland (S.C.) Dorchester four-star Kam Pringle and Greenville (S.C.) four-star Blake Franks.
Riverview (Fla.) four-star Clemson commit and weekend visitor Kylen Webb. (Tigerillustrated.com)
With Franks (6-5, 305), we've already framed for subscribers that it's more the matter of when and not if for Clemson to nab its fourth Greenville product over the span of three cycles.
Other suitors have essentially conceded Franks to the Tigers, whom we brought to light earlier this month made a rare weekday visit to campus.
Franks is leaning toward a December decision but has not nailed down a date.
Thompson might follow in the footsteps of Dillon predecessors as a strong South Carolina lean, to be determined.
Yet as circumstances stand, the actual battle figures to be for Pringle (6-6, 330), ranked No. 39 in the country.
Pringle likewise attended Clemson's victory against N.C. State almost two months ago. He arrived right around kickoff and had to leave immediately after the contest.
Despite the early kickoff this time, he arrived with his uncle and a pair of teammates several hours ahead of time to get in front of the staff.
Pringle has made trips to UGA, South Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia, Florida and N.C. State this fall.
Clemson has a seat at the table, but we've cited that the competition with South Carolina, Florida and UGA is stiff in this instance.
From all we've gathered, though, we consider the two in-state candidates the most likely options when all is said and done.
We'd probably still give the Gamecocks the edge as the race stands today.
But we do know that Pringle took note of Clemson's offensive line performance in favorable comparison to that of South Carolina's.
Furthermore, the race is thought far from over.
7. That's not the case with the four uncommitted official visitors -- a high number by Clemson's standard this late in the cycle -- who all arrived on campus by late Friday night.
The Tigers have had eyes on a fourth offensive line take, and they finally got their at-bat for the lone uncommitted target.
Provo (Utah) Timpview four-star offensive tackle Spencer Fano corralled a Clemson offer six weeks ago and immediately elected to give the Tigers a look before reaching recruiting resolution.
Fano (6-5, 260), ranked No. 188 in the country, has already taken officials to his other three finalists: Michigan, Utah and Oregon. His brother plays at BYU, but Fano eliminated them as an option last month.
It has been unclear which of those schools might hold the edge -- which supported the notion Clemson had a genuine shot.
Fano was accompanied by his parents, and based on our returns the Tigers made a strong impression. Enough to put them in legit contention as Fano advances toward a Dec. 6 announcement.
Utah collected a commitment Sunday from Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland high-three star tackle Caleb Lomu, a friend, and the Utes have a lot of voices in their corner. We wouldn't dismiss Michigan either, for that matter, considering the season the Wolverines are having and their offensive identity.
There's an element here of waiting to see what happens once the visit high subsides and Fano sorts through his final considerations.
8. Half of the uncommitted official visit docket went to the one position yet to be addressed for this class: running back.
Let's start with simplicity, and that's Roanoke (Ala.) Handley's Jamarius "Jay" Haynes.
As you know, the Tigers offered Haynes (6-0, 185) out of nowhere upon his visit one month ago.
Clemson was his first offer at any level, period.
Washington State and Western Kentucky have since tossed their names in the hat. But one of those suitors doesn't look like the others.
Haynes has talked about not rushing into a decision and perhaps not signing in December, which raised readers' eyebrows if not concern levels.
We warned, though, to avoid reading too much into that.
Leverage is a powerful tool.
Haynes informed Tigerillustrated.com that he now is likely to sign in December and announce around the time of the Dec. 21 signing period.
Suffice it to say, the trip to the Swinney estate was unlike anything Haynes has experienced to date.
He also was paired through the weekend with former walk-on running back Domonique Thomas, who also hails from Alabama.
We've reported it's first-come, first-serve as circumstances currently stand.
Yes, we like the Tigers' chances of coming away with at least one appealing signee at running back.
9. If there's someone you might not want to race, it's the other candidate.
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard high-three star speedster running back Christopher Johnson was the relative surprise to the official visitor list, having affirmed his trip later in the week.
Johnson (5-11, 182) picked up a Clemson offer in early June but did not take up his invitation to the July All-In Cookout, opting instead to go to Miami and Ole Miss on unofficials that week.
All signs pointed to the hometown Hurricanes getting his commitment at summer's end, but Johnson never pulled the trigger.
Thus Clemson stayed in touch, as we've documented, with running backs coach C.J. Spiller traveling to scout one of Johnson's games last month.
Johnson took his official to Ole Miss two weeks ago, with reports subsequently surfacing that the Rebels might have seized the lead.
Miami then drew Johnson back to campus for an uncharacteristic Sunday visit the day (Sunday) after the team returned from its defeat at Clemson.
The Clemson visit, in one respect, was a matter of Johnson wanting to utilize his available officials; he also has a Dec. 9 official visit to Penn State on the itinerary.
Yet we also consider it a nod to the respect his family has for Clemson. As we brought to light during the summer, Johnson's uncle, Kendrick, signed with Clemson as a 2006 receiver from Fort Lauderdale and roomed his lone season with Spiller. Swinney, naturally, was the receivers coach who recruited him.
We also shared recently that our sources felt Johnson's mind fluctuates with each visit.
In this instance, quite possibly for the better.
One source told us Clemson covered a lot of ground with Johnson over the weekend.
Johnson spent considerable time with Shipley as well as freshman linebacker Kobe McCloud, a fellow Floridian.
We believe his father had a stellar time, another key to the visit.
Clemson has been selling Johnson on its need to add a speed threat, and Saturday's performance both substantiated that as well as reinforced the Tigers' reliance on the run game.
As you saw, Johnson told Rivals.com regional analyst Ryan Wright that Clemson was his new No. 1.
Miami surely has another trick up its sleeve, while Ole Miss will circle its wagons upon establishing that Lane Kiffin is staying at the school.
Johnson, a summer enrollee, hasn't set a decision date. But he plans to sign early, and we have reason to suggest Clemson's one available spot is a factor in his thinking, per our contacts.
A December to remember is now more of a possibility than anyone would have anticipated a few short weeks ago.
Bogart (Ga.) safety and Clemson offer Khalil Barnes is shown here in Death Valley on Saturday prior to kickoff. (Tigerillustrated.com)
10. Coming full circle to our theme about the influence of a single-game outcome -- or lack thereof -- we close with the fourth and final official visitor, Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee athlete Khalil Barnes.
For the bulk of the calendar year, we've circled Clemson as holding the cards for Barnes (6-1, 185). Its offer in September prompted him to decommit from Wake Forest, which then brought responsive offers from UNC, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech.
Notre Dame added to that mix, with a twist of being the one suitor telling Barnes he will start off as a receiver.
Barnes went on his official visit to Notre Dame for its demonstrative victory over Clemson earlier this month, which seemingly gave the Irish quite a bit of momentum.
This is also why it was so substantial a month ago that the Tigers locked in the final relevant official visit.
Ahem, time can heal most wounds.
Clemson's recruiting staff was waiting at the hotel around midnight Friday once Barnes arrived from his team's 4A playoffs quarterfinal victory.
Barnes has a great relationship with Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. They talk twice a week, and there isn't a college coach with whom he has a closer rapport.
But Clemson safeties coach Mickey Conn is right there, and the Tigers have exponentially more tentacles around Barnes.
Let's put it this way: If you'd have observed Barnes hanging with Parker, Burley, Vizzina and Hanafin before the game, you'd have assumed Barnes a Clemson commitment. But he'd only met most of them this past weekend.
The fun carried into dinner at Swinney's house, and then Barnes and his family went out afterward with graduating safety Jalyn Phillips and his family.
Dare we repeat ... Clemson does family so, so well.
Barnes is set to announce his destination Dec. 16.
The Tigers made Barnes wait for his offer.
Our perspective was this: Barnes was then going to make Clemson wait for him to come back around.
Notre Dame won the game. Well, we again like Clemson's chances of prevailing in this individual recruiting war.
The South Carolina outcome didn't go the way the Tigers wanted. But their recruiting weekend sure did.
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