Top 2024 tight end recruit set to announce commitment. Where Clemson stands

Clemson football’s tight end room just recorded a historically productive season and is now hoping to add a top 2024 recruit to the equation.

The Tigers are one of three finalists for Marian Central Catholic (Ill.) tight end Christian Bentancur, who announces between Clemson, Ohio State and Oregon on Friday afternoon.

Bentancur has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and ranks as the No. 4 tight end and No. 102 overall recruit in the Class of 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite that factors in multiple websites’ rankings.

Now, he’ll decide between three programs that finished among the top 15 of the final College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings — CFP semifinalist Ohio State at No. 4, ACC champion Clemson at No. 7 and Pac-12 contender Oregon.

But, according to reports from Clemson247 and On3 Sports, it’s really more of a two-team race. Bentancur visited all three programs for game days this fall before announcing them as his finalists in late December, but talks between him and Ohio State have cooled, per reports.

That’s likely connected to Kevin Wilson, Ohio State’s longtime offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, leaving OSU for Tulsa’s head coaching job in early December. Wilson had been Bentancur’s primary recruiter for the Buckeyes.

That leaves Clemson and Oregon as Bentancur’s two primary suitors. He told TigerNet this week that he’s already made his decision and notified the coaching staffs — but he’s keeping that commitment close to the vest.

As of Wednesday morning, Bentancur had no 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for where he’d commit and no hard predictions on Rivals or On3 Sports either. He’ll announce his choice Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Eastern.

“How far it is, it really doesn’t affect where I’m going,” Bentancur told TigerNet. “I just want a place where it’s just gonna be a nice family relationship and trust between both me and the coaches and a good developmental program.”

Showcasing the position

Clemson, notably, hasn’t signed a recruit from the state of Illinois since four-star defensive lineman Jamie Cumbie in 2006. Cumbie, according to TigerIllustrated, was only the second Illinois high-schooler to sign with Clemson dating back to 1977.

Could Bentancur be the third? He’s raved in interviews about Clemson’s “family atmosphere” and has been a prominent target in the Tigers’ 2024 class after he attended a Dabo Swinney camp last June and received a scholarship offer five days later.

Clemson also showcased its tight ends at a historic rate last fall under Kyle Richardson, who spent seven seasons in off-field roles before being elevated to Clemson’s tight ends coach and passing game coordinator ahead of the 2022 season.

Senior Davis Allen, a third-team All-ACC selection who will play in next month’s Senior Bowl, set career highs across the board with 39 catches for 443 yards and five touchdowns. And sophomore Jake Briningstool added 25 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns.

Together, Allen and Briningstool became the first tight end duo in Clemson history to catch four touchdowns apiece. Throw in the contributions of Sage Ennis and Luke Price, and Clemson’s 2022 tight ends set a Swinney-era record with 67 catches as a group.

Bentancur, who’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, fits that receiving tight end mold. He’s had nearly identical stats his last two seasons at Marian Central Catholic: 49 catches for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 54 for 1,058 and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

Bentancur’s other primary finalist, Oregon, also showcases its tight ends. Heading into the Holiday Bowl, the Ducks’ tight ends had accounted for 11 touchdowns, which ranked fifth nationally behind Utah, Georgia, Penn State and Ball State (and ahead of Clemson).

Oregon already has one 2024 tight end commitment: A.J. Pugliano, an in-state recruit who ranks 14th nationally at the position per 247Sports and chose the Ducks in late October.

If Bentancur commits to the Tigers, he’d become the top recruit in their class of 2024. Clemson currently has commitments from four-star Florida safety Tavoy Feagin (who ranks No. 169 nationally) and kicker Nolan Hauser.

He’d also be the second-highest-ranked tight end to commit to Clemson in the modern recruiting era dating back to 2000. Briningstool, who projects as Clemson’s top tight end next season, is No. 1 – he ranked 61st nationally in the Class of 2021.

How to watch

What: Four-star 2024 tight end Christian Bentancur’s commitment ceremony

When: Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, 12:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. ET)

Where: Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois

Stream: Via 247Sports and CBS Sports HQ