5 most important players in Clemson's 2026 class so far: Matt Luke's spectacular six

Chancellor Barclay is one of six OL pledges brought in by Dabo Swinney and Matt Luke.

Grayson Mann · Staff Writer · Friday, June 27 2025

This certainly isn't one player.

When looking at the most essential pieces of the 2026 class so far, at some point, you find yourself with Matt Luke's arsenal of talent on the offensive line.

Of the Tigers' 19 pledges, six of them reside on the offensive line.

Sure, you could choose one of the six as the most "important" player, but the points for all really blend together among the variety of choices.

It is no secret that Luke has become a star and a massive fan favorite since he arrived on campus, and this 2026 class was the first clean slate of players he got to work with.

Easton Ware, one of Clemson's four-star prospects for the 2025 class, committed well before Luke was hired. Brayden Jacobs committed weeks after Luke's hiring.

In this cycle, Luke was able to pick and choose his targets from the very beginning, and for the most part, he got exactly what he wanted.

His first big swings came at tackle, with Braden Wilmes and Adam Guthrie fitting a new mold at the position that we saw in droves with the top teams in the country.

Wilmes and Guthrie both hold a towering stature, and it is paired with the movement that generates awe for that type of frame. The body type allows these players, along with later additions, to be ready to play now, rather than relying on development to occur on campus.

It allows Luke, whom we got a close look at already in Jacobs, to simply worry about developing the football side of things, which already seems to be paying dividends.

Luke's ability to develop has already been on full display, taking one of Clemson's greatest weaknesses in 2023 into a strength the following year.

With several projected starters like Tristan Leigh, Blake Miller, Walker Parks, and Ryan Linthicum riding out final seasons with the Tigers, grabbing numbers for the 2026 class was an absolute priority.

As per usual, Luke delivered beyond expectations.

With more pledges like Grant Wise, Leo Delaney, Carter Scruggs, and Chancellor Barclay being added, you have the right body types for more interior linemen, but add the versatility that will only serve to strengthen this group.

When turning on the tape, you'll often see the names mentioned above play in different spots across the line when called for, creating mismatches and new opportunities for offenses to work with.

With these names arriving at Clemson sooner than you think, that embrace of riches will only serve a top-tier coach in the best possible way.

Certainly, this list was only meant for five players, but those points blend together when attempting to choose just one of the six Luke has acquired.

Luke's half dozen of trench additions are waiting in the wings, and will be able to help anchor the future of Clemson's offense for years to come.