Clemson Scores Commitment from Highly Touted Tennessee Prospect

Clemson has secured the second commitment of its 2026 recruiting class, and the first from a defensive prospect.

The Tigers added to their 2026 class with a verbal pledge from a highly regarded Volunteer State recruit.

Webb School of Knoxville (Tenn.) four-star Shavar Young Jr. committed to Clemson on Friday evening.

The 6-foot, 180-pound rising junior is a top-150 national prospect in the 2026 class, per multiple recruiting services.

Young is a two-way talent in high school. The more he has developed, the more the Tigers have liked him at cornerback. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and corners coach Mike Reed made a stop at his high school during the evaluation period, and he’s been strengthening his bond with Clemson’s coaching staff.

“Just continue building a strong relationship,” Young said to The Clemson Insider recently, regarding what he’s heard from the Tigers of late. “They want me at Clemson. My relationship with the staff continues to grow.”

Young was among Clemson’s first cornerback offers after the Tigers began extending offers to the 2026 class in early June.

“It felt really good to get the offer,” Young said. “It means a lot to me because it’s an offer from Clemson. It meant something.”

Young has made several trips to Clemson during the recruiting process, and he chose the Tigers over a slew of other college options. His lengthy list of around 30 total offers included schools such as Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

As a sophomore last season, Young logged 84 receptions for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns offensively to go with 17 tackles, 11 pass breakups and an interception on defense.

Young joins Queen Creek (Ariz.) four-star quarterback Tait Reynolds in the Tigers’ 2026 class.

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!