STRecruiting: Clemson lost the game, but they still impressed prized recruit Peyton Miller

Though the outcome with Syracuse wasn’t what Clemson wanted, it was still an impressive day on the recruiting front. One of the top visitors on Saturday was 2027 OL Peyton Miller (6-5, 270) of Anna (TX), who is considered one of the prime talents in Texas. Miller has been high on the Tigers since the summer, but an opportunity for momentum arrived with a game-day visit.

Heading into the matchup, Miller was impressed with the environment of Clemson, noticing the tailgating for miles, along with the stadium bringing energy in the first half.

What happens when all of that energy is suddenly halted?

The lightning delay, paired with a loss that has left a collective sour taste in the fan base, isn’t an ideal ingredient for a successful visit. However, Miller viewed things differently. He saw a locker room of players who truly care about their teammates, and the mindset was a big standout to the four-star prospect.

“They may have lost, but as a recruit, to see that those players truly care about it, they have a different mindset than a lot of people, and you can tell they want to win and succeed with one another,” Miller clarified. “So in my eyes, I was grateful to see how those players reacted to a loss and how they went about themselves afterwards.”

The emotion from Clemson, and Dabo Swinney in particular, has been a viral moment from Saturday, and that was something Miller was grateful to see.

“Those players care more than you would know, and that is something that draws my attention because it’s the same way with my team,” Miller said. “Even though they lost, it was still an amazing experience to see how the team and Coach Swinney truly care about their program.”

After the game, Miller and offensive line coach Matt Luke had the opportunity to spend some time together, and the personal touch of Luke’s recruiting that has made him stand out shone through during Miller’s visit. Luke has also done a good job of incorporating Miller’s family into the recruiting process, which has created a stronger relationship between the Tigers and one of their top 2027 targets.

“Coach Luke, his wife, Coach Cramer, and I went to eat together, and it was great, as they are some of the most down-to-earth people you will meet,” the Texas prospect explained. “Those relationships have continued to grow since that open contact period, and they make a great effort to recruit me. The relationship they have with my parents is great as well, so I’d say that the relationship is growing in a great direction.”

Miller plans to visit Texas A&M, SMU, Arizona State, Penn State, and Texas to close the season, but it is safe to say the Tigers accomplished their mission with the Anna prospect this weekend. He confirmed his intention to return to campus for the spring and summer and left campus with a good feeling.

“The Tigers hold a high spot on my list,” he gushed. “I can’t wait to get back this spring and this summer some more because it’s always a great time to be in Clemson.”