Swinney Praises ‘One of the Most Pure Athletes That We’ve Signed’

Before Clemson began fall camp Thursday, head coach Dabo Swinney had very high praise for one of the Tigers’ summer enrollees.

Swinney says true freshman tight end Christian Bentancur is “probably one of the most pure athletes that we’ve signed.”

“This kid is an elite athlete,” Swinney said in his press conference Thursday prior to the start of fall camp. “We’ll see if he’ll go be a great tight end for the Tigers, but he’s got all the attributes.”

Bentancur came to Tiger Town this summer as a unanimous four-star and consensus top 125-prospect nationally, according to the major recruiting services.

Clemson tight end Christian Bentancur (87) during the Tigers’ opening day of fall camp Thursday, August 1, 2024. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

A two-year team captain and three-time all-area selection who earned all-state honors from multiple services as a junior and senior, Bentancur concluded his prep career at Marian Central Catholic High School (Woodstock, Illinois) with 231 receptions for 3,867 yards and 51 touchdowns — finishing in the top five in Illinois high school history in receiving yards (second), receiving touchdowns (third) and receptions (fifth).

As a senior — when he earned conference player of the year — Bentancur recorded 21 receptions in a single game against Wheaton Academy and five touchdowns in one game against Christ The King, the second-best single game figures in each category in Illinois high school history.

Also an outstanding basketball player in high school, Bentancur became the first high school athlete in Illinois history to catch 200 passes on the gridiron and score 2,000 points on the hardwood.

Bentancur hasn’t been on campus very long and is just now getting his Clemson career started, but the 6-foot-5, 243-pounder is already making a big impression and opening eyes.

“He’s a big-time basketball player,” Swinney said. “But man, he can run, and it’s always fun when you hear these guys chit-chat about the young guys coming in here and who catches their eye and things like that, and Bentancur’s one of those guys that he’ll catch your eye quick – just watching him move, how he just moves.”

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