Clemson Recruiting: Dabo Swinney’s Conversion Of a Few Young Men Into ‘All-In’ Believers

As this weekend winds down and slips into a new week, Dabo Swinney has said his piece, made his pitch and opened up his entire program to a group of talented recruits.

As National Signing Day approaches the current recruiting season is dwindling down, Swinney and his staff have given everything to convince these young men to be All-In. After, this morning and hearing the rumbling’s from yesterday, Clemson Nation is very hopeful and are left to await their decisions.

While I have nothing definitive, speaking with those closer to the situation it appears things went better than expected. Here’s the list of those that were expected to attend.

2022 3* LB Kobe McCloud

2022 4* DT Caden Story

2022 3* S Kylon Griffin

2022 3* RB Andrew Paul

2022 LB TJ Dudley was originally scheduled to visit this weekend but pushed that visit back to next weekend. Clemson will get his final visit and he chose to stay home this weekend.

With the addition of these young men, assuming all choose Clemson, the transfer portal arrival of QB Hunter Johnson and the serendipitous return of Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry and Tyler Davis, it appears the numbers so many were concerned about a few weeks ago will no longer be an issue.

As a self-proclaimed idiot in all things recruiting, I have learned this much. It’s all about relationships. We saw the downside of that equation when Brent Venables departed for a new opportunity. There were four defensive decommitments.

However, the other side of that same equation is where Swinney and staff shines. They point out to these young men, their choice is about a culture of many, not a conversation/relationship with one. Swinney is known as a closer, I hope that is exactly what he did this weekend, close ALL the deals.

Yes, everyone knows it’s been a different offseason thus far with all the changes. After the Early National Signing Day, it appeared with regard to this 2022 class, heavy on talent but light in numbers, Swinney knew what needed to be done. Just like he’s done so many times before, the head coach appears to have made up lost ground. I guess anything worth having is worth waiting for. Only time will tell.