Golf recruiting does not get the headlines football and basketball signings do, but just like those sports fans, golf fans can brag about a top-10 recruiting class, but usually quietly.

This year Jordan Byrd and the Clemson golf program can do just that.

There will be three new players wearing orange next year and according to several national rankings, the Tigers have a top-10 class coming to campus next year.

Jackson Byrd from Sea Island Georgia and Tip Price from Greenville both made verbal commitments last year at this time. They both made it official early on signing day.

The third new Tiger is Samuel Duran who comes to Clemson from Panama. He got his paperwork in just a little after the other two.

Golfweek has rated the Tigers class as the 9th best in the country, The NBC Sports poll has Clemson 10th and a few other publications producing recruiting rankings agree.

” I’m just really excited about the character of these young men and their ability,” said Byrd. “It is going to be a fun four years with these new guys,” he said.

The top ranked player in the group is Byrd. He is a consensus top-10 golfer appearing in different rankings from third to seventh nationally.

Jackson is the son of former Clemson golfer Jonathan Byrd, who was the rookie of the year and a five time winner on the PGA Tour.

He also is the nephew of the Clemson coach, but if you thought his recruiting was a slam dunk you would be wrong.

“We recruited Jackson. Jonathan wanted him to come to Clemson, but he also wanted Jackson to make the best decision for himself,” said Byrd.

As a top-10 player, Byrd took visits to several of the top schools, At one point in his recruiting it looked like he was headed to Alabama.

“Recruiting Jackson was fun, but it also was challenging. Luckily his visit to Clemson was his last. He got to remember coming to Clemson football games, spending a lot of time here over the years. I got to spend some good time with him and I think he felt we can help him reach his goals,” Byrd recalled.

It would take a deep dive into the Clemson record book to find a player with more major event and international tournament experience. The new Tiger has played in the Junior Ryder, President’s, Wyndham and Toyota Cups.

“He is going to be a first team AJGA All American. He does everything just like a pro. He has the pedigree. I watched him play at Sage Valley (junior world championship) last year and was just amazed at how well he could drive the ball, He can flat out play,” said his uncle.

Being able to “move it” is a characteristic of all three Clemson’s recruits this year.

“We’ve followed Tip for a long time and watched him grow up, He is a big tall golfer who can hit it long. Sam isn’t as long off the tee as the other two, but he isn’t far behind,” said Byrd.

Price grew up with the goal to play college golf at Clemson. Like Byrd he took several visits and they confirmed his decision. Clemson was the right place for him.

While Panama would not seem to have any connection to Clemson, in around about way it did..

“Sam’s family is really big in golf in Panama. When the Korn-Ferry Tour played there he got to meet some of our guys who are on the Tour. Carson Young (Clemson grad) won the Panama Open a few years ago. Sam has played a lot of golf in the US and is ranked in the top-500 internationally,” Byrd said.

Besides all three being exceptional drivers they all have one moire thing in common.

“Each one has great parents. They are great to be with, we’ve been very fortunate over the years to have a lot of great parents in our program.” he said.

There will be room on the Tigers roster and possibly in the lineup for the new players. Byrd has the best chance to make an early impact, but his uncle believes the other two will also have a chance.

“With a nine player limit everyone on the team is going to contribute. Our recruits from last year have made a big impact and our new golfers will have a chance to do the same,” said Byrd.

Colin Salema almost won the Carolina’s Amateur this past summer and Rich Wills has been in the lineup often this fall as Byrd has Tiger recruiting on a roll.

“We already have two commitments for 2026 and with the number of really outstanding players around the state we may not have to go far to recruit more great players,” said Byrd.

The Clemson coach cannot name names of potential recruits, but he can see a number of potential Tigers in the South Carolina Golf Association’s junior ranks.

“When we won the national championship we did it with a team of all South Carolina golfers. I think you are about to see another wave of great players in the state. I’d like us to get back to being the best or one of the best programs around and do it with South Carolina players,” concluded the Clemson coach.