Clemson loses major commitment from defensive end Bryce Davis, flips to Duke

In a surprising turn of events, Bryce Davis has decided to change his commitment from Clemson to Duke, just under two months after initially choosing the Tigers.

Davis, a highly-touted 4-star defensive end from Grimsley High School in North Carolina, had initially committed to Clemson on July 20. His decision at the time came after considering other top programs, including Georgia, South Carolina, and Duke. Despite Duke showing strong interest before his original commitment, Davis had opted to join Dabo Swinney’s squad.

Over the past several weeks, however, Duke’s persistent recruiting efforts have paid off, leading to Davis flipping his commitment. He now becomes the first blue-chip prospect to join Duke’s 2025 recruiting class, a significant boost for the Blue Devils.

For Clemson, Davis’ decision is a notable loss. He was ranked No. 59 overall and No. 8 among defensive linemen in the 2025 class, according to the 247 Composite Rankings, making him one of the most highly-rated prospects in the Tigers’ recruiting efforts. His departure leaves Clemson with 14 verbal commitments for 2025.

This move underscores the increasingly competitive nature of college football recruiting, where nothing is certain until National Signing Day. Duke’s success in securing Davis signals a significant win for the program as they continue to build for the future.