Clemson is looking to add one more offensive lineman to their 2023 class and position coach Thomas Austin made his most recent move with an offer to uncommitted OT DJ Chester (6-5 305) of McDonough, GA. He’s a teammate of Clemson offensive tackle commitment Zechariah Owens.
Chester said he’s been talking with Austin for several months, so getting the offer was not a complete surprise.
“I kind of knew it was coming because they wanted me to come up to a camp in the summer and I couldn’t find a right time to go,” Chester said. “I found out one of their guys got hurt, and me and Coach Austin were kind of talking a little bit more, so I figured I was going to get it. He’s seen me develop from a young age, and (he likes) my position flexibility. They like me for center and guard, but he said I most likely could play tackle too.”
Chester has held offers from USC, Florida State, Ole Miss, Boston College, Auburn, Arkansas, Maryland, Pitt, Kansas, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Michigan, West Virginia, Louisville, Nebraska, Colorado and Jackson State. The Clemson offer, he said, takes prominent spot on his list.
“It’s Clemson,” Chester said. “You’ve got to respect the offer. You’ve got to include them with your top teams.”
Chester actually named a top list in May of USC (Gamecocks aren’t involved), Miami, Ole Miss, FAMU, Michigan, Auburn, Nebraska, Southern Cal, LSU, Florida State and NC State.
Last weekend he took an official visit to Ole Miss.
“Ole Miss is a real special place,” Chester said. “The whole staff is doing some real nice things down there. It’s a great environment for real. They run a pro-style offense and an up-tempo offense. The defense can’t really keep up with it which I saw in the game.”
Chester also took an official visit to Auburn in June. This season he’s also been to LSU, Auburn and Florida State for games. He said he’ll probably get to Clemson for a game this season, but he said recruiting is not a high priority with him right now.
“I really haven’t been focusing on my recruiting for real,” Chester said. “I know that’s going to come later, so I’m not really worried about losing any scholarships.”
Chester said it’s not likely he’ll sign in December. He has committed to play in the All-American Bowl in January.
