Highly-coveted lineman picks Tigers, says Clemson "is the right fit for me"

Rayburn is shown here on Clemson's campus last week

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Mon Jun 11 16:45:28 GMT-04:00 2018

The Clemson coaching staff is putting a premium on recruiting the offensive line over the next two years, and Hunter Rayburn is more than happy to be the first offensive line commit for the 2019 class.

Rayburn, one of the most highly-coveted offensive linemen on the recruiting trail this spring committed to Clemson on Monday afternoon. Rayburn, out of Pensacola (FL), announced for the Tigers over offers from Stanford, Florida, Florida State, Texas A&M, and Auburn, among others.

“I honestly didn’t know that I was the first offensive lineman in this class until I talked to the coaches,” Rayburn told TigerNet. “But I am more than happy to be the first one and get the ball rolling. We have a big tradition to uphold at Clemson and I can’t wait to be a part.”

Rayburn made the trip to Clemson this past week for head coach Dabo Swinney’s high school camp along with high school teammate Adrian Medley. Rayburn took an official visit to Texas A&M this past weekend when Medley committed to the Aggies over the Tigers on Sunday evening.

However, Rayburn spent time talking to his parents Sunday evening and made Clemson his choice.

“I went to all of the places I needed to see and wanted to see, and I knew Clemson was the right fit for me,” he said. “I saw everything I needed to see on campus when I was there back in March. I saw all of the facilities and the campus, so when I was there last week I had a lot of questions for the coaches. I had questions about classes and schooling, and I got all of those questions answered. I have a great relationship with the coaches and I know it’s a perfect fit.”

Medley and Rayburn had indicated they would like to play in college together, but Rayburn says they haven’t discussed his Clemson choice.

“I saw him at workouts this morning and we talked about his commitment to Texas A&M,” Rayburn said of Medley. “But we haven’t really had a chance to talk about me and Clemson. I am sure we will talk about it when I see him in the morning.”

Rayburn said he will get busy on the recruiting trail.

“I think we have a shot at getting a great class,” he said. “I know a lot of guys and I am going to be working very hard to make sure we have the best class in the country.”

Clemson now has 14 commitments in the Class of 2019. The Tigers' class is ranked No. 4 in the country behind Alabama, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma respectively. Rayburn is Clemson’s fourth commitment (punter Aidan Swanson, running back Chez Mellusi and wide receiver Frank Ladson) from Florida.

Rayburn becomes Clemson's third verbal commitment this month, joining Hartsville four-star defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (2020) and Calhoun (Ga.) tight end Davis Allen.