Clemson rises in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings
Clemson added the seventh member of its 2024 recruiting class Thursday night with a commitment from Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit three-star linebacker Drew Woodaz. It not only marked the Tigers’ first pledge since March 1.
Landing Woodaz also elevated Clemson’s 2024 class to No. 14 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Tigers’ group, which also ranks No. 2 in the ACC, rose three spots from No. 17.
After landing a top-15 class last year, head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff are on the way to reach that mark again. Three of Clemson’s commits are ranked in the top 300 of the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, and two others are included in the top 400.
Woodaz is the No. 938 overall prospect and No. 102 linebacker in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 123 player in Florida.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound defender is now on track to take the field with his brother. Wade Woodaz signed with the Tigers as a three-star linebacker in the 2022 class.
“When Clemson offered me at the junior day, it truly did mean a lot to me,” Woodaz told On3’s Jeremy Johnson on April 17. “It’s been a dream school of mine and to play with my brother would be huge.”
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Woodaz is the latest recruiting win for Clemson
Woodaz is currently the only linebacker pledged to the Tigers. However, he is one of four Clemson commits who play on the defensive side of the ball.
Along with Woodaz, they are Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star cornerback Tavoy Feagin, Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County four-star safety Noah Dixon and Norcross (Ga.) Meadowcreek four-star defensive lineman Champ Thompson. Feagin was the first member of the Tigers’ class, choosing the program on Nov. 20.
Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough three-star kicker Nolan Hauser then chose Clemson eight days later. Meanwhile, Woodstock (Ill.) Marian Central Catholic four-star tight end Christian Bentancur and Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb four-star running back David Eziomume have both committed to the Tigers since January.
Bentancur is Clemson’s highest-ranked pledge as the No. 62 overall prospect and No. 4 tight end in the On3 Industry Ranking. Swinney and Co. are still after many talented recruits, however, including Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews and Jefferson (Ga.) five-star linebacker Sammy Brown.
“I’ve always known about Clemson,” Bentancur told On3’s Chad Simmons on Jan. 13. “I haven’t been the biggest fan, but I’ve always been like, ‘This place is elite. It’s just different from everywhere else.’ Hopefully, I can get there and we can build a dynasty.”