Clemson’s hopes of recruiting five-star offensive lineman David Sanders for their 2025 class have been dashed. Despite Sanders’ earlier strong interest in Clemson and his initial favorites list, the Tigers did not make the final cut. Instead, Sanders is now considering offers from Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Although missing out on Sanders is a significant setback for Clemson, they have managed to secure commitments from three other linemen for the 2025 class: Braydon Jacobs, Easton Ware, and Rowan Byrne.
Clemson was once considered a frontrunner for Sanders, but circumstances have clearly shifted, marking a surprising turn of events as they did not even make his finalist group.
With the disappointing news, Clemson’s offensive line coach Matt Luke faces the challenge of fortifying the team’s offensive line. However, there are still promising offensive linemen available in the 2025 class whom they could pursue.
The upcoming decision by Sanders will be closely watched, especially since Ohio State already boasts the top-ranked recruiting class in 2025. His addition could further bolster their already strong lineup.
Despite missing out on several top targets for both 2025 and 2026, Clemson recently secured a commitment from quarterback Tait Reynolds, offering a silver lining amid the setbacks.
Looking ahead, Clemson will need to regroup after failing to land Sanders, a player who could have made a substantial impact. The team must now refocus and explore other avenues to strengthen their roster.
Expect ongoing developments from Clemson in the weeks ahead as they continue to actively pursue elite talent for their 2025 recruiting class. Coach Swinney and his dedicated staff are known for their tenacity in recruiting and are likely to bounce back strongly from this disappointment.