Report has Clemson out of Arch Manning battle but here are the top 2023 guys it's pursuing

Eric Boynton, Greenville News
·4 min read
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It appears as if Clemson is out of the running for the top two overall prospects in the 2023 class, but the Tigers remain hopeful contenders for many more ranked among the nation's top 100 players.

A recent report from 247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong said No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning had dropped the Tigers from consideration and the Louisiana quarterback now has a top four of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas.

Clemson has offered a second quarterback — Christopher Vizzina of Birmingham, Alabama, ranked 84th overall and eighth at his position.

Previously the nation's No. 2 prospect for 2023 in the 247Sports Composite — Georgia defensive tackle Lebbeus "LT" Overton announced he was graduating high school early and reclassifying to the current recruiting cycle. He released a top five of Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Oregon.

By late September, the Tigers had extended only 33 offers for 2023 (including Dorman offensive lineman Markee Anderson, ranked No. 178 overall and eighth-best on the interior line). Since that time Clemson's offers for the next recruiting cycle have increased to 54.

More: Dorman lineman Markee Anderson cooks, he blocks and holds a rare 2023 offer from Clemson

Miami slot receiver Nathaniel Joseph (No. 126 overall and No. 19 wide receiver) is Clemson's lone 2023 commitment.

Here's a look at the players ranked among the top 100 prospects in the 247Sports Composite holding an offer from the Tigers who haven't eliminated them from contention.

DT David Hicks

School: Allen (Texas)

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 250

Ranking: No. 4 overall, No. 1 DT

LB Anthony Hill

School: Ryan (Denton, Texas)

Height/weight: 6-2, 225

Ranking: No. 9 overall, No. 1 LB

SAF Caleb Downs

School: Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

Height/weight: 6-0, 185

Ranking: No. 11 overall, No. 1 SAF

More: Dabo Swinney recalls what it took to turn signing day into a Clemson family affair

CB Tony Mitchell

School: Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-2, 180

Ranking: No. 12 overall, No. 2 CB

RB Richard Young

Scenes from Lehigh High School as coaches from some of the top college football programs in the country make visits with Richard Young. Young is a top running back recruit. Clemson's Dabo Swinney, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Florida's Billy Napier were on hand.
Scenes from Lehigh High School as coaches from some of the top college football programs in the country make visits with Richard Young. Young is a top running back recruit. Clemson's Dabo Swinney, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Florida's Billy Napier were on hand.

School: Lehigh Senior (Lehigh Acres, Fla.)

Height/weight: 5-11, 200

Ranking: No. 15 overall, No. 1 RB

More: Mauldin star Jeadyn Lukus is Clemson's top-ranked defensive commit, may be the most humble

CB AJ Harris

School: Central (Phenix City, Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-1, 180

Ranking: No. 17 overall, No. 3 CB

DE Matayo Uiagalelei

Clemson recruit Matayo Uiagalelei, brother of quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei walks on the field before the game in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021.
Clemson recruit Matayo Uiagalelei, brother of quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei walks on the field before the game in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021.

School: Saint John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Height/weight: 6-4, 255

Ranking: No. 18 overall, No. 1 DE

DE Malik Bryant

School: Jones (Orlando, Fla.)

Height/weight: 6-2, 235

Ranking: No. 20 overall, No. 2 DE

DT Peter Woods

Peter Woods, a 2023 defensive lineman from Alabaster, Alabama, before the game with Clemson and Boston College in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Peter Woods, a 2023 defensive lineman from Alabaster, Alabama, before the game with Clemson and Boston College in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, October 2, 2021.

School: Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-3, 259

Ranking: No. 22 overall, No. 3 DT

More: The 21 highest-ranked signees in Clemson football history and how their careers turned out

TE Duce Robinson

School: Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Height/weight: 6-6, 225

Ranking: No. 24 overall, No. 1 TE

ATH Nyckoles Harbor

School: Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.)

Height/weight: 6-5, 225

Ranking: No. 28 overall, No. 3 ATH

DT Vic Burley

School: Warner Robins (Ga.)

Height/weight: 6-5, 276

Ranking: No. 32 overall, No. 5 DT

DE Jaquavious Russaw

Carver's Jaquavious Russaw (1) sets the edge and tackles Opelika's Kaden Cooper (23) at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. Opelika leads Carver 14-0 at halftime.
Carver's Jaquavious Russaw (1) sets the edge and tackles Opelika's Kaden Cooper (23) at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. Opelika leads Carver 14-0 at halftime.

School: Carver (Montgomery, Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-2, 230

Ranking: No. 37 overall, No. 4 DE

LB Troy Bowles

School: Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)

Height/weight: 6-1, 205

Ranking: No. 42 overall No. 4 LB

SAF Joenel Aguero

School: Saint John's Prep (Danvers, Mass.)

Height/weight: 6-0, 195

Ranking: No. 44 overall, No. 2 SAF

More: Greenville High School quarterback Prometheus Franklin II signs with in-state college

RB Justice Haynes

Blessed Trinity's Justice Haynes (22) is sent flying by Oconee County's Liam Lewis (6) during the GHSA high school football AAAA state championship game between Blessed Trinity and Oconee County on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Atlanta.
Blessed Trinity's Justice Haynes (22) is sent flying by Oconee County's Liam Lewis (6) during the GHSA high school football AAAA state championship game between Blessed Trinity and Oconee County on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Atlanta.

School: Blessed Trinity Catholic (Roswell, Ga.)

Height/weight: 5-10, 200

Ranking: No. 46 overall, No. 3 RB

DE Tausili Akana

School: Skyridge (Lehl, Utah)

Height/weight: 6-4, 225

Ranking: No. 49 overall, No. 5 DE

OT Chase Bisontis

School: Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)

Height/weight: 6-5, 290

Ranking: No. 52 overall, No. 4 OT

WR Noah Rogers

2023 Rolesville wide receiver Noah Rogers (5) has received seven Division I offers since March 24.
2023 Rolesville wide receiver Noah Rogers (5) has received seven Division I offers since March 24.

School: Rolesville (N.C.)

Height/weight: 6-1, 180

Ranking: No. 54 overall, No. 9 WR

OT Luke Montgomery

School: Findlay (Ohio)

Height/weight: 6-5, 260

Ranking: No. 62 overall, No. 6 OT

LB Tackett Curtis

Many's Tackett Curtis
Many's Tackett Curtis

School: Many (La.)

Height/weight: 6-2, 218

Ranking: No. 63 overall, No. 5 LB

IOL Harris Sewell

School: Permian (Odessa, Texas)

Height/weight: 6-4, 290

Ranking: No. 68th overall, No. 2 IOL

DT Kelby Collins

School: Gardendale (Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-5, 280

Ranking: No. 70 overall No. 9 DT

ATH Jaxon Howard

School: Robbinsdale Cooper (Minneapolis)

Height/weight: 6-4, 245

Ranking: No. 79 overall, No. 8 ATH

DT Derrick LeBlanc

Derrick Leblanc, a class of 2023 defensive lineman who helped Osceola High to the Florida 8A state championship game, at the Dabo Swinney Football Camp 2021 day one in Clemson Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
Derrick Leblanc, a class of 2023 defensive lineman who helped Osceola High to the Florida 8A state championship game, at the Dabo Swinney Football Camp 2021 day one in Clemson Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

School: Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.)

Height/weight: 6-4, 270

Ranking: No. 83 overall, No. 12 DT

QB Christopher Vizzina

School: Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-3, 200

Ranking: No. 8 overall, No. 8 QB

DT Keldric Faulk

School: Highland Home (Ala.)

Height/weight: 6-5, 240

Ranking: No. 91 overall, No. 14 DT

OT Monroe Freeling

School: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant)

Height/weight: 6-7, 283

Ranking: No. 93 overall, No. 9 OT

SAF Braxton Myers

School: Coppell (Texas)

Height/weight: 6-1, 185

Ranking: No. 99 overall, No. 6 SAF

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Arch Manning out on Clemson football, but top 2023 stars remain