Nation's top-ranked tight end breaks down Clemson visit

Muhammad spent quality time with head coach Dabo Swinney

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Jan 30, 2017, 3:38 PM

The Clemson coaching staff hosted several of the nation’s top prospects for the 2018 recruiting cycle at an elite junior day this past weekend, and 4-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad made the trip from Texas to check out the new football operations center.

Muhammad is a 6-5, 225-pounder out of Missouri City (TX) Ridge Point, a high school in the greater Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. ESPN has Muhammad as the top-ranked tight end in the nation for 2018, and the 36th overall prospect regardless of position.

He boasts over 30 offers, including Alabama, Notre Dame, Auburn, LSU, Ohio St., Texas, Texas A&M and Southern Cal.

Muhammad took trips to Oklahoma, LSU, Houston, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Georgia, and TCU during the season to get a more well-rounded look at what some schools have to offer, and hopes to make another visit in February.

However, last weekend was all about Clemson and the new facility.

“Man it was awesome. The facility was really unique, and I haven't really seen anything like it,” Muhammad told TigerNet. “I knew it would be pretty nice, but it surpassed it. When I actually got there and saw it, I was like 'Wow. I could actually have access to this place.’ It was awesome.”

Muhammad said he spent time getting to know many of the region’s top prospects and is quickly developing a friendship with the nation’s top-ranked quarterback – Clemson commit Trevor Lawrence.

“I'm really developing a friendship with Trevor Lawrence,” he said. “He's a pretty cool, down to earth guy and that could be my quarterback one day, so it's pretty cool that I'm meeting these guys and building relationships really early.”

Clemson has had a great run of tight ends over the last decade, including current Indianapolis Colt Dwayne Allen, former Tiger Brandon Ford, and most recently Jordan Leggett.

Leggett caught 112 passes and added 18 touchdowns during his Clemson career, including 46 catches for 736 yards and seven scores this past season. Muhammad said the Clemson coaches have told him Leggett is who they see when they watch his film.

“Yeah, that's exactly what I've been told, with how they use the tight ends,” Muhammad said. “Jordan really filled in the offense, and I can do the same if not even better.”

Muhammad said the highlight of the trip was spending time with Clemson’s head coach.

“I got to eat lunch with Coach Swinney, and he was really down to earth like I knew he would be,” he said. “They have a really family-oriented environment over there. He's such a nice guy and a great leader.”

Next up? A visit to the Cowboys and perhaps narrowing down his choices in the spring.

“I'm going to Oklahoma State on February 11th. I will probably make my final decision on signing day,” he said. “I'm going to wait it out and enjoy the whole recruiting process. Clemson fits pretty well for me, so I am sure they will be right there.”