By Jason Priester |
June 19, 2024 8:22 pm ET
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Clemson has made Leo Delaney one of its top priorities in the 2026 class.
Not only was Delaney (Providence Day, Charlotte) the first offensive lineman in his class to pick up an offer from the Tigers, he was the first offensive player period.
“That’s pretty special,” Delaney told The Clemson Insider. “I mean, I’ve been told that Clemson will not splash offers. If they offer you, it’s a completely committable offer. They’re gonna recruit you pretty hard. That was really special to me. And I think I was their first offensive prospect that they offered. That was even cooler.”
The 4-star prospect is widely considered one of the Top 100 players in the country and is one of the top tackles in his class, meaning he is being heavily pursued by most of the best programs in the country.
Delaney is also a teammate of 5-star offensive lineman David Sanders, one of the top players in the 2025 class, and a top Clemson target. Having a teammate that has already navigated the recruiting process is proving to be beneficial.
“David’s been able to give me a lot of great advice about how to talk to coaches and know different things to look for in a program,” Delaney said. “He likes what he’s been through. It’s great knowing someone that’s been through pretty much as intense a recruiting process as it will get. Knowing him and getting his advice has been really helpful.”
Delaney was just on campus during Dabo Swinney’s high school camp, although he did not work out. Before that, he visited for the Elite Junior Day back in March. That visited included what Delaney called a players panel, something that helped the blue-chip talent learn more about why some of the current players on the roster fell in love with Clemson.
“It was really great,” Delaney said. “I liked spending more time with the coaches, getting to know their program better and the atmosphere that they have. They did a little player panel. It’s really fun to get the players perspective of it. A lot of them went through an intense recruiting process as well. So them telling us how they did it, like when they knew, why they chose Clemson and the good things about Clemson, I think that was one of the most helpful parts.”
Clemson, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, NC State and North Carolina are some of the schools the 6-foot-6, 280-pound recruit said he has been hearing from the most and when Delaney compares Swinney’s program to the rest, there is one thing that really stands out.
“The way that they use the transfer portal today is one of the things that stands out the most,” Delaney said. “They focus on breaking in high school prospects, coaching them up to play for them. They’re not gonna take some random, massive dude from the portal to take your spot. They’re gonna care about you, your development, how they cook you up and get you to the next level.”
Delaney is in no rush to make a decision, although he is aiming for sometime before the start of his senior season next fall. For now, he will continue to go through the process as he searches for the best fit.
“A school that has a family-like feeling is something I’d really love, and where they care for the players,” Delaney said. “More than just a place about college football. Where they actually care for players. Developing them into great players and great men. NIL is a big part of college football nowadays, so that might play a part in it, but not a huge part. I’d love a school that doesn’t rely super heavily on the transfer portal. Coaching kids up that they recruit. That really says more about those kids. Those are kind of my three things right now.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
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