Clemson is campaigning in North Carolina’s capital in hopes of winning another frontline performer.
2027 defensive end Rashad Streets (6-4, 230) of Raleigh Millbrook recently received an offer from the Tigers following a visit to campus for the LSU opener. Behind the scenes, the big-time pass rusher has been building a relationship with Chris Rumph and the Clemson staff, with that aforementioned LSU visit being the culmination of that progress.
For a place he’s always wanted to visit, he certainly chose quite the environment to take in, and his impression of what he saw was incredibly high.
“It was electric,” Streets said. “It was my first time, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing; meeting the coaches and the staff was super cool too. Some takeaways I got from watching the defense are they are aggressive as a unit, and their DL is top-notch; they have some really talented guys up front. It’s definitely a defense I can see myself fitting into.”
It is easy to see yourself fit into a program when the relationship with the staff is incredibly positive, especially with Rumph, who has been the focal point of Streets’ recruitment since early June.
“Coach Rumph is my guy,” Streets bragged. “He is really cool, and we talk on the phone a lot, and he is constantly checking in on me and giving me some things to work on to add to my game.”
He has been talking a lot since the class of 2027 contact date in June. Moving forward, Streets will be taking visits to South Carolina, Oregon, Ohio State, Tennessee and other top programs. The list of interested suitors for the Millbrook prospect is incredibly high, with Clemson right in the thick of a heated race. Some of his other offers include Michigan, Georgia, Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Auburn, Florida, Miami, Ole Miss, North Carolina and Penn State.
As of right now, the Tigers have done pretty well to position themselves high.
“They are a program that is near the top of the list for me right now,” he explained. “They check all the boxes, and it’s definitely a place I can see myself playing for the next chapter after high school. I will be trimming my list soon, and they are a program that will definitely continue to be one I build a relationship with.”
• Clemson has their guy to zip the football to holders and punters in the future. Long snapper Jackson Reach (6-2 215) of Manhattan Beach, Calif., announced a commitment to the Tigers on Saturday morning. He was offered by Clemson earlier in the week.
Reach is the No. 2-ranked long snapper in the country as a result of his work with Rubio Long Snapping.
Reach, who also plays linebacker, also had offers from Boise State, Army, Air Force, Navy and Western Kentucky. He is the 22nd commitment for Clemson’s 2026 class.
• Another home game this past Saturday allowed Clemson the chance to entertain more recruits. Among the players who had announced plans to visit were:
2027 LB Cooper Witten of Argyle, Texas
2027 OT Peyton Miller of Anna, Texas
2028 RB Michael Martin of Christ Church
2028 OC Brody Lorenzo of Dutch Fork
2028 WR Jay Eady of Irmo
2028 OG Thatcher Trotter of Griffin, Ga.
• Clemson is in the top 12 with 2027 LB Kaden Henderson of Tampa. He also named Ohio State, Miami, Notre Dame, Alabama, Texas A&M, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Oregon, LSU, Florida and Florida State.
South Carolina
2027 RB Amario Spence (6-2, 210) of Statesville, N.C., has not drawn major attention yet in the recruiting world, but that could change by season’s end. The powerful back from West Iredell has an offer from Toledo, but South Carolina running backs coach Marquel Blackwell had him in camp last summer, and wants to see more.
“They are just waiting on my game film and the game day visit,” Spence said. “He said I checked all boxes when I went to the camp. He really wanted to see me in my game film. He said I had a great camp, one-on-ones, and footwork. They are just waiting on my game film, really.”
Spence plans to visit South Carolina for the Alabama game in October. He was at the Akron game last season. He also made multiple visits to USC last spring.
“They really made it feel like family,” Spence said. “All the coaches came up and introduced themselves to me. The players, they were very nice. I could ask them questions about the program. I went to two spring practices, and I went to the spring game. The spring game, I loved the atmosphere. Sandstorm was my favorite part. I just loved it. After the game, I spoke with some of the coaches, and they were just happy. I loved the attitude. It was very fun to be there.”
Spence was a guest of Wake Forest for their game last Thursday night against N.C. State. He is also planning to see a Virginia Tech game. Last season, Spence rushed for 1,042 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s over 500 yards already this season.
“I’m going to try to run through your face,” he said. “I’m not going to play patty cake with you. Every time you lay a finger on me or tackle me, I want you to hate that. I’m like a bruiser.”
• South Carolina commitment SAF Triston Lewis of Greenwood announced during the week that he has shut down his recruiting and is set with the Gamecocks.
Clemson/USC
South Carolina and Clemson are among the schools at the top of the list with 2027 OT Maxwell Hiller (6-6, 300) of Coatesville, Pa.
This summer, Hiller named a top eight of the Gamecocks, Tigers, Penn State, Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Maryland.
“South Carolina is one of, if not the top school, in my recruitment right now,” Hiller said last week. “I talk to them every single day with all my guys down there. I’m excited to continue to build this relationship. I think I’ve been down three times, maybe four. Every time I went on a visit, it just got better and better. I fell in love with the coaching staff and the culture of the team. Couple of my buddies like South Carolina, too. Every box is checked there.”
Teasley has worked with Hiller in camp and expressed to him why he sees him as a high-priority target for his offensive line.
“He says I’m coachable, and at my size, I have really good footwork, and I’m really smart,” Hiller said. “He said I check every box as well. It’s just flattering to hear that from Coach Teasley. He’s a good guy.”
USC coach Shane Beamer is also doing his work with Hiller while letting him know what he would mean to his program in the future.
“We talk almost every week, if not every week,” Hiller said. “The relationship is getting better and better each time. I’d say it’s strong right now.”
Hiller was also at a Clemson camp this summer, where he got his first look at what the program is all about.
“It’s also a really good place. It’s neck and neck with South Carolina for the same reasons,” Hiller said. “It’s going to be a close battle between all of them. Clemson is one of my top schools as well. That was my dream school growing up as a little kid. That was my favorite team. It was that one team that I always watched as a little kid.”
Clemson offensive line coach Matt Luke, like Teasley, has been recruiting Hiller with fervor, and their relationship has also been developing.
“It’s great, similar to Coach Teasley,” Hiller said. “Both are amazing coaches. I’ve built a great relationship with him, and I’m excited to continue to build it.”
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has also been working Hiller, and the two had a FaceTime discussion on Monday night. Swinney let Hiller know where he fits in with Clemson’s recruiting strategy for the 2027 class.
“Similar to everybody else, that I’m a priority guy and stuff like that,” Hiller said. “He preaches the faith and family there at Clemson and everything, so it’s just all flattering stuff.”
Hiller has yet to take in a game this season. He is planning to go to Penn State for the White Out Game on Sept. 27 against Oregon. He has Tennessee down for Nov. 15 when the Vols host New Mexico State. And he plans to get to games at USC and Clemson, two places he’s never been for games. Hiller is close friends with 2027 OT Joshua Sam-Epelle, another USC target. The two met on a recruiting visit to Columbia and have been tight ever since. They are discussing making their commitment announcements on the same day, though, according to Hiller, that does not mean they are locked in to going to the same school.
• Clemson tight end Ian Schieffelin isn’t the only former basketball player in the Upstate to transition to football. Greenville High senior defensive end Franklin Whitley (6-7, 270) had been headed toward a college basketball career until he decided to play football again this season. He had played the sport in his youth and decided to give it one more shot before graduating. He’s glad he did.
“I’m loving it to be honest,” Franklin said. “I’ve got a great team around me, great coaches, and a great environment at Greenville. Couldn’t get much better in my opinion than my situation right now.”
And as a former basketball player who couldn’t hit people on the court without drawing a foul call, what was it like when he made his first tackle in the season opener against Dorman?
“I’d say it was refreshing,” Whitley said. “I haven’t done it in a long time. I used to play D-end and a little bit of linebacker when I was younger. Definitely more physical. It was just a special moment all around. They don’t have any fouls.”
The recruiting attention for Whitney has started to rev up recently as he picked up offers from Virginia Tech, Auburn and Georgia Tech. Georgia offered him earlier. Clemson has been hinting at an offer.
“I think they’re getting pretty close,” Whitley said. “They like my size. You can’t teach size. And also, me getting better with every game, high motor, and stuff like that. He (Rumph) sees a lot of potential in me, me being a basketball player and having nimble feet and stuff like that.”
Franklin was also at Clemson for the LSU game, and he had planned to be back for the Syracuse game Saturday. “They aren’t off to the best start right now, but that’s not who they are,” Whitley said. “That’s not what they are known for. They are known for winning the ACC. They have really nice facilities. It’s a really nice weight room and a really nice indoor practice field, and outdoor practice fields. They have a really nice atmosphere during game days.”
Franklin also saw the Tigers at Georgia Tech. He’s also been to Virginia Tech for a game this season. Coming up, he has game visits for Georgia at Auburn and Alabama at Georgia. He plans to set more visits for this season, including one to South Carolina.
“I’m definitely going to get to a game this year. I haven’t really determined which one because of my schedule for football and these other game days,” Whitley said. “I definitely plan on going to a game this year. It might end up being their game against Clemson. I haven’t been to South Carolina for a game day.”