Clemson bolsters defensive line with commitment from 4-star recruit Caden Story
After originally committing to Auburn, four-star defensive lineman Caden Story announced a decision Wednesday for Clemson on National Signing Day.
Story, from Lanett, Alabama, is the No. 10 player in the state of Alabama and the 27th-ranked defensive lineman nationally from the Class of 2022. Listed at 6-foot-3, 282 pounds, he’s the Tigers’ seventh commit of the day.
“What an incredible, incredibly get this is for us,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “He is big, skilled, atletic and tough. ... He’s a big guy that can move.”
Swinney added that Story reminds him of former defensive lineman DJ Reader. Story, whose father is the head football coach at Lanett, originally committed to the Alabama-based Tigers when Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason was the defensive line coach at Auburn. Once Eason left, Story decommitted.
Eason continued to recruit Story as a Clemson Tiger and was able to get the four-star player to come join the ACC Tigers.
In his final season with Lanett, Story helped the team to a 10-3 record, which included a state quarterfinal appearance, and was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A Lineman of the Year. He’s the second defensive line recruit for the Tigers, which includes DW Daniel’s Jahiem Lawson.
The two will join a defensive line that returns all of its key pieces, including Xavier Thomas and KJ Henry. Both could’ve turned pro but opted to return with a final year of eligibility. With the return of Bryan Bresee, who was out for most of 2021 with an ACL injury, the Tigers’ defensive line is expected to be one of the best in the country. Henry has named the group the “Avengers.”
Class of 2022 new signees
Keith Adams Jr., running back
Kylon Griffin, safety
Cole Turner, wide receiver
Jahiem Lawson, defensive end
Myles Oliver, cornerback
Kobe McCloud, linebacker
Caden Story, defensive lineman
TJ Dudley, linebacker
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Clemson bolsters defensive line with commitment from 4-star recruit Caden Story."
