Five-star LB Malik Bryant (6-3, 230) of IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL is one of the top prospects in the 2023 class. Bryant already holds offers from other elite programs such as Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State. Clemson has been in touch but has yet of offer. Bryant said he understands Clemson’ recruiting approach and is still interested while waiting on an offer.
“Clemson is just letting me know what coach (Dabo) Swinney does with underclassmen and waiting to offer going to their junior year,” Bryant said. “Coach (Lemanski) Hall, coach (Todd) Bates and coach (Brent) Venables were all letting me know that they really like my film and they really like me, so when it’s time to offer I will be one of the top guys for them to offer. They really like my character. They were saying that I have 5-star character and I’m a 5-star human being. I have that leadership that they are looking for. They like my speed and how I beat defenders and shed blocks to get to the quarterback.”
Clemson has yet to send out offers for the ’23 class, but Bryant appears to be in position to grab one of the initial offers. So if that’s the case, how might the Tigers stand out from those other schools?
“What I’m looking for in a school is a family and the coach to not beat around the bush and just get straight to the point with me, and I see that in Clemson,” Bryant said. “And just how everyone is so tight around the football program and close throughout the community. Clemson love is really different. They recruit hard.”
Bryant was named a MaxPreps sophomore All-American for the 2020 season and was the only sophomore named to the MaxPreps Florida All-State team. He believes his versatility is one of his biggest strengths.
“A lot of schools say outside linebacker, and a lot of schools say edge rusher,” Bryant details when sizing up his college position. “In the Clemson defense, it would be that 4-3 edge rusher and standing up on the edge as well. I feel like I separate myself with my ability and my versatility. I can drop into coverage, guard the tight end, guard running backs, guard the slot, and I can rush the pocket.”
Bryant’s recruitment still has a long way to go, but he already has an idea of what he will primarily be looking for in a school.
“I would say family, because everything revolves around family,” Bryant said. “Being able to trust one another and trust the coaching staff, all the way down to the nutritionists and everybody in the building. Just to be able to trust the people around me and being able to fit right in.”
In addition to his MaxPreps honors, Bryant has already received an invitation from the 2023 All-American Bowl Game.
Other Recruiting Notes:
- The Wofford men’s basketball program has added its third signee to its 2021 recruiting class, as head men’s basketball coach Jay McAuley announced the signing of incoming freshman 6-6 Luke Turner of Temecula, CA on Thursday afternoon.
- Greenville SAF Ashton Whitner plans camp stops at Clemson June 3rd and USC June 11th among his June travels. He has officials at Syracuse and West Virginia in June.
- WR Addison Copeland of Buffalo, in this 247Sports story, said he will visit USC June 18th and the Gamecocks lead for him at this point. He also has visits set with Rutgers and Pitt in June.
- From 247Sports on 2023 QB Arch Manning of New Orleans…The 247Sports Composite and Top247’s No. 1 rated passer in the 2023 class will camp at Clemson June 8-9 alongside his brother Heid Manning who is a center. They will head to the state of Texas the next weekend and camp at SMU and Texas. The next weekend will be a stop to Alabama and the final weekend of June will feature a camp at Georgia.
