Clemson adds top-100 CB Corian Gipson to star-studded 2024 recruiting class

Corian Gipson has put his best foot forward this summer as he navigated through the final stretch in his recruitment.

When crunch time arrived, the top-75 cornerback from the Dallas Metroplex elected to head out-of-state and join Clemson’s star-studded 2024 recruiting class, which features blue-chippers like Sammy Brown and fellow four-star Texan Bryant Wesco. Gipson had been leaning toward Clemson as early as his first visit to campus and was reminded of it when he returned for his first official visit (June 2-4).

The relationships that Gipson forged with the coaches at Clemson were the difference as the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 8 cornerback committed to the Tigers, who edged out Texas and Ohio State for the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back from Lancaster (Texas) High School in South Dallas.

Alabama and TCU were also finalists for the No. 71 player in the On300 for 2024.

“The first time I took a visit to Clemson, I told my mom, ‘This is the place to be,'” Gipson told On3. “In my mind, I’ve always known where I wanted to be. Life after football was big in my recruitment and as I took all of my visits.”

Gipson picked up an offer from Clemson when former TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley arrived in Death Valley. Since then, long-tenured Tigers defensive backs coach Mike Reed has been leading the charge for one of the nation’s speediest defensive backs from the Lone Star State.

The Fort Worth native loves the consistency and longevity of Dabo Swinney’s football program.

“They’re big on life after football,” said Gipson, who put that element above all in his decision. “They’re one of the top programs with that and they’re really big on that.”

Reed, who is entering his 11th program on Swinney’s staff, extended an offer in the direction of On300 cornerback this spring during his first time on Clemson’s campus.

The Tigers edged Ohio State and also the in-state Longhorns for Gipson, who finalized his plans in the hours leading up to his Saturday reveal.

“Clemson doesn’t offer everybody,” he noted. “The coaching staff is stable and the DB coach (Reed) has been there going on 11 years, and then Dabo just signed a new contract. You know they’re gonna be there for the long haul.”

Gipson checks in as the No. 14 player in the Lone Star State, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Corian Gipson scouting summary

Smooth defensive back with the speed and skills to play multiple spots in the secondary. Has a thin build, checking in at around 6-feet, 165 pounds with a 6-foot-2.5 wing-span at the Under Armour Dallas camp prior to his senior season. Turns in strong marks as a sprinter in track and field. Consistently runs sub 11 seconds in the 100 meters, with a personal best of 10.62 seconds as a junior. Has lined up at both corner and safety for Lancaster, but is starting to look more and more like a cornerback prospect as his career progresses. At ease covering outside or in the slot. Has relatively refined footwork in coverage. Transitions easily. Shows the top end speed to run with receivers on vertical routes. Triggers quickly in defending underneath routes. Will need to tack on considerable mass to his thin frame. Did not have a ton of ball production as a junior.