Clemson’s 2026 WR Recruiting Class is Shaping Up to Be Elite
- Charles Mays
- Apr 19
- 5 min read
Clemson's 2026 football recruiting class is rapidly turning heads, and the group that is probably impressing the most is the wide receiver room. The Tigers have secured verbal commitments from several top-tier prospects, forming a dynamic trio of four-star wideouts in this cycle. With the hot momentum on the recruiting trail, Clemson is laying the foundation for one of the nation’s premier receiver groups. At the center of this excitement is Gordon Sellars, whose commitment has added a significant boost to an already talented class.
Four-Star WR Gordon Sellars Commits to Clemson
Gordon Sellars made his commitment to Clemson yesterday during a ceremony at his school, choosing the Tigers over an impressive and highly respected group of schools, including Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Notre Dame. Sellars, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound standout from Charlotte (Providence Day), is ranked as a four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite, sitting comfortably within the top 200 nationally and among the top 35 wide receivers in the class. His commitment marks a huge win for Clemson’s 2026 class, as he is coming off an impressive junior season, recording 50 catches for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Known for his physical presence and big-play ability, Sellars has the length and athleticism to be a dominant outside receiver. His high school coach describes him as a long, athletic player who can run and jump with the best of them. This makes Sellars an ideal fit for the boundary receiver role at Clemson, where he can excel as a downfield and red-zone threat. His combination of size and leaping ability will help him win contested balls and stretch defenses, making him a key piece in Clemson’s offensive future.
Strength of the 2026 Wide Receiver Group
Sellars joins a growing group of elite wide receivers in the 2026 class for Clemson. Other committed wideouts include:
Naeem Burroughs – A 5-foot-11 speedster from Jacksonville (Bolles School), Burroughs was the first wide receiver to commit to Clemson in this cycle. He is ranked as a consensus four-star prospect and is widely considered a top-100 recruit, sitting at No. 62 overall in the 247Sports Composite and No. 8 at the wide receiver position. Burroughs brings impressive track speed, making him a dominant deep threat in high school football. Over his career, Burroughs has caught 34 touchdown passes in 36 games, showcasing his explosive playmaking ability. His skills as a dynamic route runner and his ability to beat defenders at every level of the field have drawn rave reviews from scouts. Burroughs is primed to be an immediate contributor as a slot and vertical threat for the Tigers.
Connor Salmin – A 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout from The Bullis School in Maryland, Salmin is another four-star prospect who ranks among the nation’s top 200 players. He also has a track background, which fuels his outstanding speed. With his combination of size and acceleration, Salmin is expected to be a boundary threat capable of stretching defenses vertically. His commitment to Clemson came during the Elite Retreat weekend, and he offers another home-run threat for offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. Salmin’s versatility and ability to take the top off any defense make him an exciting addition to the receiver corps.
Gordon Sellars – (As discussed earlier) A four-star, top-250 prospect who brings a unique blend of physicality and athleticism to the class. With his big-frame and leaping ability, Sellars adds a more traditional boundary receiver to complement the speed and route-running of Burroughs and Salmin.
This trio of receivers gives Clemson a well-rounded group that is among the strongest in recent memory. Burroughs’ explosive playmaking, Salmin’s vertical ability, and Sellars’ physical presence give the Tigers a dynamic set of options at the position. Each of these receivers brings a unique skill set to the table, which will only improve their collective impact at Clemson.
Currently, Clemson’s 2026 class is ranked among the top two nationally, sitting at No. 2 in both the 247Sports and Rivals rankings. The wide receiver group is a key part of that success, helping the Tigers solidify their position as one of the nation’s premier recruiting programs.
Coaching Impact: Galloway and Grisham Fueling WR Recruiting Success
Clemson’s surge in WR recruiting can be traced back to the efforts and hard work of wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham and newfound help from offensive analyst Lonnie Galloway. Galloway, a seasoned ACC coach and former receivers coach at North Carolina, joined Clemson’s staff as an analyst this offseason. His experience developing elite receivers, including Josh Downs at UNC and many others, has already proven to be a major asset to the Tigers’ recruiting efforts.
At Clemson, Galloway has worked closely with Grisham, who is entering his fifth year on staff, and that strengthens the Tigers’ pitch and sell to wide receiver recruits. Their collaborative influence have already yielded impressive results, with commitments from several high-profile prospects like Sellars, Burroughs, and Salmin. Clemson’s renewed focus on wide receiver development has resonated with recruits, and the Tigers are benefiting from a combination of coaching expertise and solid relationship-building on the recruiting trail.
Recruits have taken notice of Clemson’s commitment to developing wide receivers. Notably, Sellars had a strong relationship with the previous North Carolina coaching staff under Mack Brown, which included current Clemson offensive analyst Lonnie Galloway. I would definitely believe this connection played a role in his recruitment process, highlighting the importance of coaching relationships in player decisions. With Grisham and Galloway working in tandem, Clemson has positioned itself as one of the top destinations for future pass-catchers.
Sidenote, the job that Coach Dabo Swinney has done this off season of constructing this staff, is probably the best job he has done yet. As he would tell you also, people want to come to Clemson to not only play, but to coach also. It is an environment and place where you can play in some of the best fans in the nation, develop, win, and make you way to the NFL afterwards. Who wouldn't want to be a part of a program like that?
Looking Ahead
The 2026 class is shaping up to be a special one for Clemson, especially at the wide receiver position. The combination of speed, size, and skill that Sellars, Burroughs, and Salmin bring to the table makes them a formidable trio. With the guidance of Grisham and Galloway, these players will have the opportunity to develop into some of the best wide receivers in the nation. The future of Clemson football is looking bright, and the Tigers are well-positioned to continue their success as "WRU" in Death Valley.
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