Update on Clemson's Quarterback Room
There has been a bevy of high-profile quarterbacks in the 2024 class that have committed recently. None have been to Clemson. For the current 2023 season, or maybe the 2024 season as well, that may not present an issue but fans that are paying attention will probably find it a little concerning that the Tigers have put so much effort into finding their future QB in this specific class but haven't been able to close the deal as of yet.
Steve Wiltfong, the director of recruiting for 247Sports, spoke about this issue on Tuesday's episode of The College Football Recruiting Show on 247Sports. When asked where Clemson goes next at the position in this class Wiltfong started by responding positively with "They have a very healthy quarterback room from a talent standpoint when you look at what they have this fall", but followed that with the honest answer of "I'm not sure."
"DJ Lagway was the first one and he picked Florida", Steve continued. "Walker White was the second one and he ends up picking Auburn, Jadyn Davis was a guy that [Clemson] on the shortlist and he went with Michigan and then Air Noland obviously picks Ohio State. I think they may have kicked the tires on Hauss Hejny too who recently committed to TCU." Reading all of that at once certainly makes it seem like a really tough cycle at this specific position so far for Garrett Riley and his new offense.
The recruiting expert did go on to acknowledge that "Look [Clemson] has only offered 56 players in the country regardless of position and there might be a school or 2 that have offered 56 quarterbacks. It's hard to get an offer from Clemson. They're looking for some unique traits not only as a football player but as a young man and so it's back to the drawing board for them but they are a school with the magnitude to be able to flip someone if the next guy they identify is someone committed elsewhere."
Reading between the lines here would lead one to believe that it's possible Clemson coaches don't even know exactly what the next option is as of right now but the effort to obtain a 2024 quarterback makes it clear they would like to upgrade the room this season rather than wait for next. In this new age of recruiting the summer months have become arguably the most crucial on the calendar for big recruits so if any movement does happen, it won't be too long before we find out.