Clemson Recruiting: 4-star DT Nyles Pinckney commits to Tigers

Clemson picked up a four-star defensive tackle in Nyles Pinckney who adds to Dabo Swinney’s 2016 recruiting class.

The Clemson Tigers are already hard at work in assembling their future, as four-star defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney (Seabrook, S.C. Whale Branch announced his verbal commitment to the team via Twitter.

"Im proud to say im a Clemson tiger"

He is the nation’s No. 300 overall recruit, No. 28 defensive tackle and the No. 5 player from South Carolina, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

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Clemson is known for having a very talented defense. Just last season they placed among the nation’s top defenses, All-American end Vic Beasley. The team currently boasts a talented line that consists of senior D.J. Reader and junior Shaq Lawson. With Reader set to graduate and Lawson possibly declaring for the NFL Draft, a bunch of openings will be there for Pinckney and the other defensive lineman on Clemson to take.

Pinckney is entering his senior year at Whale Branch High School in South Carolina. He had received offers from many top teams including, but not limited to, Alabama, Georgia, and Georgia Tech.

“They saw something in me when nobody else did,” said Pinckney. “I really like what Coach (Dabo) Swinney’s trying to do around there.”

Pinckney plans to fulfill graduation requirements in December and enroll at Clemson for the spring of 2016, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-3, 290 pound nose tackle erupted for 98 tackles, nine sacks, and 10 forced fumbles in 2014. He is an explosive lineman and is constantly putting fear in opposing quarterbacks; he gets to the backfield quickly as seen by his 27 tackles for a loss.

Pinckney is Clemson’s 11th commit in the Class of 2016 that ranks 21st in the nation and fourth in the ACC, according to the 247Sports team rankings. Joining him on the defensive line will be four-star defensive end Xavier Kelly. Kelly is ranked 23rd among all defensive ends and resides in Wichita, Kentucky.

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