"The Hype is Real" - Andrew Mukuba Breaks Down Clemson's Freshmen

Andrew Mukuba knows what it's like to be a big-time recruit. He shared what he's seen out of Clemson's freshmen class during spring practice.

If anyone knows what it’s like to be a highly-touted freshman with a ton of responsibility on his plate it’s Andrew Mukuba. The 2021 Freshman All-American became the first freshman to start in Clemson’s secondary since the NCAA allowed freshmen eligibility in 1972. Now entering his third season with the Tigers, Mukuba shared his take on some of the impact newcomers for Clemson.

“There’s been a lot of them I feel like there are three that really, really caught my eye,” said Mukuba. “Khalil Barnes, “KB”, he’s a baller. He’s definitely going to be a guy that helps us a lot. Whether that’s on defense, special teams, things like that, he’s a baller. He’s gonna play.”

Barnes came to Clemson from North Oconee high school in Georgia. He was a do-it-all athlete during his team’s run to the semifinals of Georgia’s class AAAA playoffs. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, he’s already got great size for the position.

Another player that Mukuba is excited about is the supremely talented Peter Woods. The No. 1 ranked interior defensive lineman in ESPN’s 300, Woods is expected to play early and often as a freshman. “Peter Woods. I’ll just tell y’all, the hype is real. Everybody sees it. The hype is real. He’s just a dude among boys and I see it every day now.”

Mukuba is excited about another freshman defensive back out of Georgia. “Shelton Lewis. I like Shelton Lewis. He’s a baller, too. He can really play and he’s going to be one of those young guys that’s going to be in that rotation, that’s going to go out there on special teams or defense.”

Fans will get a chance to see all of Clemson’s new arrivals in orange and white for the first time during Clemson’s Spring Game on April 15th. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and fans will be able to watch online on ACCNX.