Clemson Raids Florida for Elite Recruits and Two More Could Be Next

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Jun 6, 2025 - 04:00
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Clemson Raids Florida for Elite Recruits and Two More Could Be Next originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Clemson has long made the Southeast its primary recruiting battleground, but in the 2026 cycle, the Tigers are aggressively zeroing in on Florida—and the returns are already impressive.

The newly updated USA Today Florida Network Top 100 list offers a clear glimpse into just how committed Clemson is to raiding the Sunshine State’s elite talent. The Tigers already hold verbal pledges from three of the state’s premier prospects and are firmly in the mix for several others taking official visits.

Headlining the class is No. 7 overall recruit Naeem Burroughs, a dynamic wide receiver out of Bolles. Burroughs, who checks in at 5-foot-11½ and 175 pounds, committed to Clemson earlier this year and is expected to become a centerpiece of the Tigers’ offense in the future. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands and polished enough to contribute early when he arrives in Death Valley.

Joining him is a pair of offensive linemen who could form the foundation of Clemson’s next great front. Grant Wise (No. 18) out of Pace and Chancellor Barclay (No. 26) from The First Academy both rank among the top 30 players in the state and are locked in with the Tigers. Both bring prototypical size—each over 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds—and represent the kind of trench talent Dabo Swinney has prioritized in recent classes.

But the Tigers aren’t done in Florida.

Two uncommitted linemen remain top targets: Canon Pickett (No. 66), a 6-foot-4, 320-pound mauler from Tampa Bay Tech, has taken an official visit to Clemson this summer. His recruitment appears to be trending toward a battle between Clemson and in-state powers Florida and Miami. 

Meanwhile, Danny Odem, a 6-foot-2 cornerback from The First Academy, was on campus at the beginning of June. The Tigers were one of six programs scheduled to host the No. 38-ranked prospect, along with blue bloods such as Ohio State and Oklahoma.

With seven of the top 20 players hailing from Miami-Dade or Broward counties and IMG Academy flooding the list with talent, Florida continues to be a must-win state for national contenders. Clemson’s early haul—and its continued pursuit of Pickett and Odem—signals a strategic shift: Dabo Swinney and his staff are not just spot-recruiting Florida. They’re trying to build a pipeline.

That message has been received by the state’s top programs, and more importantly, by its elite prospects.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

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