Dabo Swinney breaks down how ready Stephiylan Greene is to contribute

Clemson has been a powerhouse program when it comes to recruiting under coach Dabo Swinney and the 2023 class was no different. The Tigers signed a monster defensive line class that included five-star prospect Peter Woods and top-150 recruit Stephiylan Green.

Both are expected to play this fall after showing what they can do in spring practice.

Green isn’t quite as advanced as Woods right now, but he’s almost ready to play.

“Not far. He’s not ready to play multiple positions yet, like Peter,” Swinney said. “I think Peter can play anywhere. Literally, I think he can play end, I think he can play five-technique, I think he can play three, I think he can play nose. I think he can play anywhere and I think mentally he’s ready for that.”

Woods is the higher-ranked of the two, a five-star prospect who was ranked as the No. 19 overall player in the nation in the 2023 recruiting class.

At 6 foot 2, 300 pounds, he figures to be a handful.

Green can be, too, assuming he continues to learn the playbook and keeps developing physically.

“Stephiylan is explosive,” Swinney said. “He loves football. He’s as tough as they come. But he’s still grabbing onto the totality of the defense. That’s probably the biggest difference right now, I think Peter is a little bit more… could go play. Steph body-type wise can do some of those things, but we’ve just got to bring him along a little bit from a scheme standpoint.”

Stephiylan Green scouting report, player comparison

On3’s scouting department had a good deal to say about Stephiylan Green as a prospect in the 2023 class. As far as player comparisons go, On3 noted Green reminds of former UCLA prospect Kenny Clark, who became a first-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2016.

The following was the On3 scouting report on Green:

“Disruptive defensive linemen with one of the best first steps in the 2023 cycle with explosive physicality. Consistently fires off the snap. Bursts into the backfield with his first-step quickness as a pass rusher. Also has considerable speed-to-power ability, at times forklifting offensive linemen into the backfield. Plays with strong leverage and pad level. Highly physical, embracing and dishing out contact. A violent finisher with striking power. Blows up plays with his twitch and physicality. Dogged defender in pursuit, tracking down plays from the back side.

“Finished his senior season with 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two interceptions. Does not stick out physically in terms of stature or length relative to some of his other highly-rated peers at the position, measuring at 6-foot-2.5, 275 pounds with a 32.5-inch arm prior to his senior season.”