Tigers to play host to top combo prospect out of Michigan

McGregor makes a tough catch last season

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Feb 27 07:01:03 GMT-04:00 2019

The Clemson coaching staff will play host to one of the top tight end targets in the 2020 class on March 14 when Braiden McGregor of Port Huron (MI) Northern flies in for a visit.

McGregor is a 3-star combo defensive end/tight end who boasts 25-plus offers, including Alabama, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, and pretty much every school in the Big 10. Clemson offered in early December and has been in constant contact.

“I hear from them all the time. If it's not every day, it's every week,” McGregor told TigerNet. “Someone there is always talking to me, whether it's their recruiting page or Coach (Danny) Pearman, or Coach (Tony) Elliott, or Coach (Todd) Bates, and even Coach (Jeff) Scott. It's any one of them that are always texting me and making sure I am alright, and they are always telling me how excited they are to get me down there for a visit.”

He then said he couldn’t wait to check out the Clemson campus.

“I am excited just to get there. I have talked to other recruits that have been there, and I talked to Ruke Orhorhoro, and he told me he is excited about me getting down there and he is going to spend some time with me,” McGregor said. “I am excited to check it out. They keep telling me how family-oriented it is and that is a big thing for me. I am excited to see the facilities and meet with the coaches again. I want to get a feel for them because they are definitely up there for me.”

What is he looking for in a school?

“The main thing is academics. I want to go to a place that I can get a degree that will help me after football because football doesn't last forever,” McGregor said. “Every school that has offered me so far has great academics, so it's hard to narrow it down from there. The school has to have great football, great people, and a family feel. What it feels like when I step on campus is a big thing for me.”

Clemson is looking at McGregor as a tight end but will let him make the choice of which position he wants to play.

“Right now, they think tight end, but Coach Bates has been trying to get me to come play d-line for him. It kind of depends on what I want to play,” he said. “Tight end is a great opportunity for me, and I think it's a position where I can show off my athleticism. I also think defensive end is, too. That is a big thing for me with them because they are one of just five schools that have offered me at both positions. That is a big thing for me.”

McGregor has already visited Michigan and will visit Florida, Florida St., Alabama, and LSU all in March. He said he hopes to name a Top 10 after those visits.

“I want to decide before my senior year so I can concentrate on football and academics,” McGregor said. “I want to go and visit those schools that are in the Top 10 again and keeping feeling it out. I want to enroll early, so I definitely want to decide before my senior year.”