When former defensive tackles coach Todd Bates left Clemson to take a job with Brent Venables at Oklahoma, many wondered how the Tigers would fare on the recruiting trail with one of their best recruiters plying his trade for the Sooners. As it turns out, Clemson’s defensive line recruiting is just as good or even better than ever.
Bates, known for his poetry and sending personal letters to recruits and their families, earned Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year award for his work with Clemson’s 2020 recruiting class. He was largely responsible for landing Bryan Bresee, Demonte Capehart, Payton Page, Tré Williams, and Tyler Davis, all players who should play a critical role in the Clemson defense this season.