Dabo Swinney got a major recruiting win on Sunday as four-star linebacker Bryce Kish committed to Clemson. The commitment represents an important win for Clemson in the Midwest recruiting scene, especially as his national ranking has surged quickly after his standout junior season.
Dabo Swinney Steals Top In-State Prospect from Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan
Kish’s commitment to Swinney’s program represents a significant setback for Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan, as he was a priority in-state target for the Wolverines. He had been scheduled to make two trips to Ann Arbor this year, with Michigan expecting him on campus later this month for spring practice.
If the Wolverines landed Kish, they would have added a versatile player capable of making an impact in several ways. However, Clemson made a strong impression during Kish’s first visit to campus this past weekend. He attended the Elite Retreat, received an offer while in town, and ultimately chose the Tigers. With Kish now off the board, Whittingham’s Michigan staff is expected to redirect its attention to other targets, including Ethan Hauser and Brayden Watson.
Kish also has an official visit scheduled with Purdue next month, followed by trips to Minnesota and Michigan State during the summer. He holds offers from more than a dozen schools, including Boston College, Purdue, California, Iowa State, Louisville, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.
Kish is currently ranked as the No. 5 linebacker in the nation and the No. 60 overall prospect in the 2027 Rivals300. He possesses impressive chase-down speed and brings a physical presence as a tackler, while also showing ability as a tailback. If he signs with Clemson, he will be a huge addition to the Tigers’ defense, which finished last season with an 82.3 score in the PFSN College Football Defense Impact Metric.
Kish joins four-star recruit Max Brown as a linebacker in Clemson’s 2027 class. Kish now becomes the sixth overall Clemson commitment in the cycle, which ranks No. 16 in the nation and No. 4 in the ACC. He joins three-star quarterback Kharim Hughley, three-star safety Harrison Luke, four-star wide receiver Trey Wimbley, and three-star cornerback Christian “PJ” Chancellor Jr.
Clemson insider Grayson Mann spoke with current Clemson commit Max Brown about Bryce Kish’s pledge, and Brown sounded excited about the addition.
“I’m super pumped up about it,” Brown said. “He’s a great, high-quality kid, and he’ll fit right in with us. This class is only going uphill, too.”
Swinney appears to be actively building momentum for Clemson’s 2027 recruiting class as the Tigers look to rebound from a 7-6 season in 2025. The program’s Elite Retreat has already produced positive buzz, with five-star defensive end Asher Ghioto saying his weekend visit “couldn’t have gone any better.”
Clemson signed 22 high school players and one junior college recruit in the 2026 class, which ranked No. 20 nationally according to the 247Sports Composite. The class included elite players like wide receiver Naeem Burroughs, safety Kentavion Anderson, and interior offensive lineman Chancellor Barclay.
