If a college football program is in need of run blockers, the Clinton High School offensive line is a good place to look. The Red Devils lean heavily on the running game and are successful at it in large part due to their guys up front. Their top lineman is 2026 prospect Tre Aiken (6-4 295), and Monday South Carolina joined a handful of other major programs on his offer list.
“South Carolina is a great school. I’ve been talking to them a lot recently. I’ve been having a lot of communication with them,” Aiken said. “They called me today (Monday), the offense staff and Coach (Shane) Beamer, and they let me know I had an offer. It felt great. It felt amazing. Especially with it being a SEC offer, it will help my recruiting a lot And South Carolina, if I do decide to go, it will give my parents the chance to watch me close to home.”
Beamer and offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley have known about Aiken for a few years. He camped with them the last two summers. He also attended a spring practice and the spring game earlier this year. He will be back in Columbia in a couple of weeks for the Ole Miss game. Aiken said the main thing Teasley likes about him is his overall athletic skill.
“I feel like I’m one of those linemen that can play any position. I can adapt to any position,” Aiken said. “Coach Teasley said he loves my athleticism, especially with me coming from a basketball background. Athleticism is a big part to my game. I can get to the second level.”
Clemson also is interested in Aiken but has not yet offered. And he is interested in the Tigers.
“I have a lot of contact with Clemson,” he said. “They invited me to the UGA-Clemson game, so I was down there. I’ll probably go check them out at a home game. I love Clemson. Their coaching staff comes together like a family. It’s not like they are only there to coach. They are also there like a family.”
Aiken also has offers from Florida, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina, Wake Forest, NC State, Liberty, USF and Appalachian State. He did not visit anywhere last weekend but is going to Florida this Saturday.