At the moment, Ryan Day and Ohio State are tearing it up on the recruiting trail.
The dead period that has been in place for more than a year has hurt some schools more than others. Ohio State is one school that has been able to keep it rolling.
The Buckeyes have already secured 11 verbal pledges this cycle, with six of those being Top-50 players. That includes quarterback Quinn Ewers, the nations top high school prospect.
As for Clemson, not being able to host potential prospects on campus has greatly affected the momentum the Tigers had going at one time. Currently, Clemson has just four commitments, with all four being Top-200 players.
Dabo Swinney has patiently been weathering the storm, waiting for things to open back up. The head coach said back in December that the Tigers were going to take things slow while the dead period was still in place.
“For ’22, compared to where we would normally be at this point, I’m not saying we’re behind, but it’s slowed down,” Swinney said back in December. “And again I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, but certainly the process is slower now than it was.”
“Not being able to get guys on campus and things like that is a challenge, but we’ve made the best of it. We’ve done everything that they allow us to do. We’ve spent a lot of time communicating virtually. Zoom, FaceTime, you know, all that stuff. Just gives us a little more time to evaluate tape.”
One of the top corners on the Clemson board this recruiting cycle is Toriano Pride. At one time the four-star defensive back from Missouri was considered a strong Clemson lean, but the Buckeyes are absolutely in play for his services.
Ohio State already has commitments from two of the more highly touted corners in the 2022 class, including five-star Jaheim Singletary, but they are looking to add at least one more, and Pride is a guy they have zeroed in on.
The 5-foot-11, 175 pound prospect is planning to visit both campuses in June and is expected to make a decision by the end of July. Pride is ranked No. 183 overall in the Composite and No. 23 at his position.
However, opinions vary. 247 has him ranked No. 73 overall and No. 10 among all corners, while Rivals has him No. 183 overall and the No. 23 corner. ESPN has him at No. 36 among all corners.
Rankings aside, the Clemson coaching staff has made Pride one of their top targets at corner. They like what they have seen on film and love his versatility.
Getting Pride on campus will be huge for the Clemson coaching staff. The Tigers are extremely thin at corner and this is one of the guys they want. In order to land him, though, they will have to once again do battle with the Buckeyes.
