Hello whisper,

Am I correct with my interpretation of your message as being that Clemson is not signing enough 4* and 5* HS players, and that we are settling for the dregs (i.e., 3* players) who have no talent?

Take the time to do this:
Look carefully at Clemson's recruiting classes from 2014 through 2021. You will see numerous 3* players. Now, look carefully at those 3* players and investigate them for (1) playing time and (2) getting to the NFL (even if in a minor capacity).

You will see that Clemson's 3* players have a high rate of major playing time in college, and a respectable rate of reaching the NFL in some capacity.

Of course, you don't need to research Clemson's football success since 2014. So you know that Clemson has had superior players (along with outstanding coaching) to lead us to staggering success.

(***) What this tells you is that when Clemson fills out its recruiting class with those useless 3* players, in fact they recognize something that the know-it-all recruiting services do not recognize ... i.e., talent that is either already manifest or potential talent that can be developed by a good program.

Good luck in your research; with your interest in Clemson football you'll be glad to check this out for yourself.