4-Star In-State Lineman Calls Clemson 'Dream School'

Malcolm Gaston saw his stock start to rise as he worked the camp circuit over the summer.

The 4-star in-state offensive lineman (North Augusta) picked up offers from both Georgia and Florida State, and also put himself squarely on the map of the Matt Luke and the Clemson coaching staff.

“It was fun,” Gaston told The Clemson Insider about his experience at camp. “We had two sets of one-on-ones. My first set, I wasn’t there. I can go ahead and tell you I was all over the place, but the second reps, I got to talking with the players and they gave me advice on what they seen and how I need to react. Second set came and I went 2-1.”

Since his workout at Clemson, the the 6-foot-6, 310-pound prospect has stayed in regular contact with the coaching staff.

“I’ll be hitting coach Luke up for advice,” Gaston said. “Like how to work double teams and stuff like that. I’ve seen the little hype video on Twitter, like how his offensive linemen and stuff be working. I really respect coach Luke. I like what they’re doing over there.”

As he gets set to start his junior campaign on Friday night, Gaston’s stock will likely only continue to rise as he makes the move inside from tackle to guard.

“I’m really excited, it’s been great,” Gaston said. “They moved my position from tackle to guard inside, so that means, I got to deal with a whole lot more stronger people. That just makes my job even easier.”

While picking up the offers from Georgia and Florida State were huge for Gaston and his family, it’s the offer from Clemson that he really wants. He, as well as his father are Clemson diehards in a family full of South Carolina fans.

“We are the hated ones, because this is a Gamecock family,” Gaston said laughing. “So they don’t like us over here.”

Being a 2026 recruit, Gaston still has plenty of time, as he isn’t looking to make a decision anytime soon. At this point, all he is sure about is that he’d like to be committed by the end of his senior season.

However, if that offer from Clemson were to come at some point in the future, it’s possible that timeline speeds up a little.

“I would be bouncing off the walls,” Gaston added. “That means not only have I fulfilled my childhood dreams, my dad would be so energetic I’ll probably be seeing him doing backflips. It would really be like a powerful moment of my life. Looking up to every person I seen play college football and with Clemson being my dream school, it would really be an honor.”

Gaston will be on hand for the Tigers season-opening matchup against top-ranked Georgia in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31 for the first of what should be many recruiting trips this fall.

For now, though, he is just taking his time, enjoying the process and looking for a culture where he feels comfortable, as well as a place where he can enjoy the outdoors.

“A school that could make my mom feel comfortable, that I can really feel at home,” Gaston said. “Where I don’t need to change my character. A school that can really develop me as a lineman, like I could show that I have pro potential. An environment that I can be great around. And I love the country. We all know how South Carolina is, we got good fishing, and that hunting, oh yeah. I’ve never tried that fishing (up there) but I would love to try it.”

Photo courtesy of Malcom Gaston on X (formerly known as Twitter)

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