When Dabo Swinney hired former Tiger DT Nick Eason away from Auburn to be his new defensive tackles coach, he also gained a huge advantage in the recruiting of DT Caden Story (6-3 282) of Lanett, AL. Story had been committed to Auburn and was very close to Eason. Story ultimately decommitted from Auburn, took official visits to Clemson and Florida, and signed Wednesday morning with the Tigers.
“Me and Coach Eason, we have a great relationship,” Story said last month. “That’s my dude. That’s my guy. He’s cool. He does know me better than anyone.”
Now, Eason will get to coach Story, and the rest of the story will be written regarding his decision to join the Tigers.
“They showed me a plan in the way they can develop me,” Story said. “I’m natural, I’m raw. They were like, I’m able to do all this and I’ve only been playing defensive line for three years. They were like, after I get there and they develop me, they could see me being a top draft pick.”
Story, who played for his father and who has a brother playing at Alabama, was the 2A Lineman of the Year in Alabama. Last season he had 73 tackles with 20 pressures and 17 sacks. For his career he as in on 184 tackles with 54 pressures and 37 sacks.
The Tigers are still waiting on two more targets Wednesday, LB TJ Dudley of Montgomery and RB Andrew Paul of Dallas.
The Clemson bio on Story:
Multi-time state champion and all-state selection who played for his father, Clifford Story, at Lanett High School … was one of the state’s most decorated defensive linemen in 2020 and 2021, as he earned first-team all-area from the Opelika-Auburn News and first-team all-state honors while earning both Valley-Times Defensive Player of the Year and AHSAA 2A Defensive Lineman of the Year in both seasons … named an All-American by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming … began playing varsity football in eighth grade … part of teams that went 59-8 over five seasons, never winning fewer than 10 games in a season … contributed to state title teams in 2017 and 2019 … credited with 184 tackles, 54 quarterback pressures, 37 sacks and two interceptions over his final three seasons … as a senior in 2021, credited with 73 tackles, 20 quarterback pressures and 17 sacks … as a junior in 2020, posted 64 tackles, 26 quarterback pressures, 14 sacks and two interceptions … recorded a four-sack game against rival Lafayette that year … added 47 tackles, eight quarterback pressures and six sacks in 2019 … consensus four-star prospect … 247Sports ranked him 23rd among the nation’s defensive tackles and 10th among all players in Alabama … Rivals.com placed him among the nation’s 30-best defensive tackles and No. 16 overall in the state of Alabama … member of the ESPN300 who ESPN.com ranked as the nation’s No. 23 defensive tackle and No. 11 player in Alabama … ranked by On3 Sports as the No. 16 player in Alabama and No. 38 defensive tackle in the class … PrepStar placed him as No. 221 among its national Top 300 … participated in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio … also played basketball, helping his team to back-to-back state championship game berths … National Beta Club honor society member … son of two former collegiate athletes … nephew of 14-year NFL tight end Marcus Pollard … committed to Clemson on National Signing Day, Feb. 2, 2022 … plans to enroll in the summer of 2022 … brother of Alabama defensive back Kristian Story … born April 6, 2004.
