Dabo Swinney compares Clemson signee to NFL star

Clemson has already had one former Daniel High receiver go on to star in the NFL in current Arizona Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney sees similarities between Hopkins and Clemson’s most recent signee from Daniel — Misun Kelley.

Swinney said on Wednesday that he believes Kelley has a chance to be a special player at Clemson. Kelley helped Daniel to a pair of state titles during his high school career and scored touchdowns five different ways as a senior.

“There’s really not anything Misun can’t do. I mean I’ve watched this kid – a lot like DeAndre Hopkins, I’ve watched this kid come through, and he was just great at everything,” Swinney said. “DeAndre wasn’t really highly recruited. He played everything. He did all this stuff. And then he just came to college and got locked in. And I see Tink in that same regard.”

Kelley was originally committed to Virginia Tech, before being offered by Clemson during his senior season. He committed to the Tigers in October.

Kelley is rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 923 overall player in the country, according to the On3 consensus rankings.

As a senior, Kelley caught 37 passes for 606 yards and six touchdowns, had 10 carries for 137 yards and three touchdowns and added 21 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups.

“I mean, it doesn’t matter where you put him – running back, safety, corner… he’s the best player,” Swinney said. “Punt returner, kick returner, you name it. He is truly one of the best, I think, pure players in this class. I think he can do a lot of things.”

While Kelley can play all over the field, the plan is for him to start out at receiver.

Wherever he ends up playing, Swinney expects him to make plays regularly.

“Misun Kelley is going to train as a receiver and cross-train as a DB,” Swinney said. “Just a kid that we wanted in the program and will figure out what’s the best spot for him as we start coaching him, but unbelievably dynamic and a very consistent player.”

In addition to Kelley, Clemson signed three other receivers in Ronan Hanafin, Noble Johnson and Tyler Brown.

Swinney feels good about the group coming in, as well as receivers that are returning for 2023.

“I’m really excited about that group and what they bring to the table, to go along with Adam [Randall] and Beaux [Collins] and Antonio [Williams] and Cole Turner and [Brannon Spector] and all those guys that will be back here, [Troy] Stellato,” Swinney said. “We’ve got a really good group and I think this is a good addition with it.”