Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - VENGEANCE: Clemson Tigers SURGE in Recruiting, Miami FLIPPED Jaiden Bryant

Episode Date: June 5, 2026

Clemson Tigers roar back into the ACC recruiting race as Dabo Swinney silences critics with a vengeance, surging to the No. 6 spot in the 247Sports composite rankings. Are Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies hot on their heels, leveraging five-star flips and record-breaking donations to reshape the recruiting landscape? Alex Donno and Brian Smith break down Clemson’s innovative official visit strategy, Miami’s coups with Jaden Bryant and DJ Jacobs, and Virginia Tech’s $75 million boost. Key conversations cover Florida State Seminoles’ and North Carolina Tar Heels’ surprising slides outside the top 50, NIL shakeups, and how congressional action on TV revenue could threaten high-profile ACC powerhouses. Can Louisville and Cal Golden Bears maintain momentum, or will the new financial landscape disrupt the ACC’s balance of power? Insightful analysis, recruiting scoop, and a look at how politics are shaping the future of college football—don’t miss it. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I think Dabo Sweeney heard all those narratives about him being done because he has been recruiting with a sense of vengeance. You are Locked on ACC, your daily podcast on the Atlantic Coast Conference. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. I am Alex Dono. Today's episode of Locked on ACC is brought to you by Fanduel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $150 and bonus. bets if your first bet wins, head to fanduel.com to get started. On this episode of Locked on ACC, Congress wants to do something with TV revenue that Clemson, Florida State, Miami might not be too happy about.

Virginia Tech is coming in hot with donations. They are getting behind James Franklin. We'll break that down. But we're going to talk recruiting with our pal Smitty. I refer to Brian Smith as the recruiting overlord. So, you know, Brian, obviously a lot of things have gotten my attention in recruiting this week, including, you know, the program that I cover Miami flipping Jaden Bryant, the five-star edge rusher from LSU. But before we get to that, let's talk about Clemson because the Tigers have not so quietly surged up to number six in the 24-7 sports composite recruiting rankings. And it feels like earlier this week, every 30 minutes, Dabo was landing a new four-star.

commit. I mean, do you think he's trying to show people he's not done just yet? I think that's part of it. He's a motivated guy and he's got a chip on his shoulder. He's obviously very testy when somebody challenges him at a press conference. I'm sure you've noticed that over the years. And they have recruited well. They have 22 in the boat. That includes Santana Harvey out of Florida. Jamerian Simmons with six minutes from Florida state's campus. He's committed to Clemson. He's one of the best players in the country. They went all the way to North Dakota for a top offensive line. They've done a really good job and they're on a role right now.

Their class is almost done. I didn't see this coming. The only thing they don't have is one of those top three or four detackles that they used to get. But everything else is pretty darn good. And congrats to Clemson. They've got a really nice class. So I would imagine with the volume of players that they've landed this week, we talked last week about how Dabo does his official visits in the summer.

a little differently than a lot of schools. A lot of schools like to spread out four or five weekends worth of visits. Like Dabo loves to do that first OV weekend, May 31st this year, as like a blowout where you get dozens and dozens of prospects. So I would imagine that recruiting weekend was a success because they've been landing a ton of players this week. Yeah, I don't know how it works because I always thought, like if you have that many kids there, Alex, it would be harder to give attention.

Yeah. Two points, though, that few of the kids are definitely committed already. Yeah. But they do find the kids that fit their culture. Most of them are very religious kids. Most of them are very dialed in, servitive kids and what they're trying to do that fit Clemson. So they have a higher propensity to get them anyway. But still, man, they must really have figured out the organization and the logistics of it.

Because their hit rate is the best in college football for a single weekend. Nobody else does it like that. So you've got to tip your cap to everybody in the recruiting office, the assistance, everybody involved. And of course, all the way up to the coordinators and Davao himself, that's a team effort. And again, they've got the number six class according to the 247 composite. And it's across the board. Offense players, defense players, Lyman, et cetera. It's a really good group.

And this is the best group they've had in several years. Something tells me their NIL has changed a little. It's going to go out and win there. Yeah, it's a reality. And when we say that, we don't mean it as an insult, right? Like some folks out there, some folks out there try to shame other schools by, oh, look at how much they're spending. But it's the reality of college football in 2026, 27. You need to be spending money to compete with the big boys.

And I think that's something Clemson seems to be adopting a little bit differently than they have in the past. So, all right, Clemson, you mentioned number six now in the composite rankings for recruiting. Miami is the highest in the ACC with the number four class, and the hurricanes pulled off one of the biggest flips of the cycle. In fact, they have two of the biggest flips in the cycle already with Dante Wright a few weeks ago. But they just flipped this week, Brian, Jaden Bryant, five-star edge rusher. He's out of Dabo territories from South Carolina, Irmo, South Carolina. He flipped from LSU to Miami.

How big of a flip is that for the Cains? I know he's going to get the comparison anyway, but there's a guy by the name of Ruben Bain Jr. that he's similar to. He's a little taller, but that's the player he reminds me of the most. I'm not saying he's Rubin, but there's a reason that every school in the country offered Jaden Bryant.

He's at a famed Irmo High School on the edge of Columbia of South Carolina. They've always had players. And that kid is a beast. He will play his freshman year in some capacity. I wouldn't be surprised if he beat out some players that are older and started as a sophomore. He can play one. weak side or strong side end,

E-Weet prospect. You know, Miami is also, this would require another flip, but Miami's also zoning in on DJ Jacobs, who's the number one edge in the class, who's been committed to Ohio State since the end of 2025.

It was late December. He committed to OSU. Miami's trying to turn up the heat there, Brian. I mean, how, talk to me about DJ Jacobs and how does he compare to J. Brian? because I think Miami would like the two of them to be the next Bain and Mezzador. They're very similar. DJ's a little taller.

He's about 6'5. I've stood next to him, great kid, plays at Blessed Trinity or one of the other, I think it's Blessed Trinity on the north side of the lane. Every team in the country has offered him, personality off the field. His dad played at Georgia, his younger brother is a big-time recruit, too. And he's got the length and the get-off that just screams national football league. If you didn't look at him in the face, you'd think he's 25 years old. He's 65, 240 with no body fat.

Like, he's that guy. This is an NIL deal, in my opinion. It's going to come down to NIL how much you want to spend. And the numbers already grotesque, but he's the exception to the rule. Many think he's the best pure football player in the class of 27. Wow. Pay up or go home. That's where this is at.

And he likes all the schools he's visited, but I think it's NIL at this point. that's another Miami target so Miami with the fourth ranked class on 247 right now you mentioned Clemson at number six and then you know we look at other ACC schools Brian let's talk Virginia Tech who comes in next at number 13 and they just got it was big news this week 75 million dollar donation which I think was the largest single gift they've ever received I wish I had 75 million in my back pocket to give to a school. And most of that money is going to go towards athletics. So I would imagine big chunk of that 75 mil is going to help James Franklin on the trail. Well, looking at their recruits, Peter Bork, one of the top quarterbacks, he just had a very good showing out in L.A. At the Elite 11, he's coming in, top 100 guy out of like their top six recruits,

almost all of them except for Bork or in the trenches. He's building kind of like your canes are. middle of the field out. And when you do that, good things usually happen. And he's also got a few good corners, receivers, et cetera, like he's got Chase Johnson in the fold, Austin Barrett, a couple really good corners from the East Coast. This is what it's supposed to look like if you're building a program in the South.

Like they're right on the North Carolina border. They can get kids out of the D.C. You know, all that, those cities along the coast in Virginia, all those cities, Roanoke, Hampton Roads, all that. That's great. They're dipping into North Carolina area. They've got a chance to turn that program around pretty quick. But you brought up to $75 million.

And if you hadn't, I would have. Like the majority of that's going to football or so we're told how much. They didn't give a disclosure number. But that's going to open the eyes of people, not just recruits, but other boosters. Oh, this is what we're doing. I would imagine that's going to encourage some people. So I think the Hokies could be the next team to rise. or have mercy, does the ACC need it?

Because it's Miami and just about everybody else right now. SMU is somewhat close, but not really. Don't be surprised if in two years Virginia Tech's like the number two team in the league. I mean, Franklin's a decent coach. And if you give him the talent that he's starting to get in the ACC, they're going to run over a lot of people. So I think this is a bit of a nice pick-me-up for the Atlantic Coast Conference. When we come back, there are a couple of big-time ACC programs who are shockingly outside the top 50 right now in national recruiting.

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My friends, if you're an everydayer, you listen to our content every single day, you want to make your status official by joining the Everydayer Club. You get ad-free versions of Locked-on ACC. You get exclusive Discord chat access with hosts and other listeners like yourself and so many other great benefits. Go to Lockdown Podcast.com slash Everydayer to join the Everydayer Club today. Talking recruiting with Brian Smith from the Portal podcast and from Lockdown Seminels. Brian, on these Seminoles, they are one of two and especially the Seminoles, because one of the most prestigious programs in the country,

we could say North Carolina is also a pretty good football program, more known for their basketball, but both Florida State and North Carolina are outside the top 50 right now in national recruiting. What gives? Well, let's start with the obvious with Florida State. Alex, if you were a parent and you were advising your son after a Florida State offer, what would be your primary concern?

My primary concern would be if you commit to play for Mike Norvell, who are you going to be playing for about six months from now would be my concern. There you go. Look, I've had face-to-face conversations with recruits, trainers, seven-on-seven coaches. Everybody's worried about that. It's hindering their efforts. They've got seven players in the boat. They're all good. But a couple of them are wavering, taking other visits, et cetera.

And if this season goes south, how many did they sign? Like I get it. You have to get the right head coach. But this recruiting class could be a complete crater if he does get canned. So it's just hard to get guys across the finish line. And here's the irony, they have several really good assistants at recruiting. Really good. But with the Norval concern and their NILs, iffy, they're just struggling to get guys across the finish line, Alex.

And that's that stuff. They are ranked 54th on the composite of 24th. 74. I mean, come on. That's really bad. Yeah, when you're on 247 Sports.com, they only show you 50 teams per page. Look, it's when you have to hit the button that says load more, just to find them. It's not good. It's not good. And another team that I think is in that load more territory. Yeah, number 56, North Carolina. I mean, are, you know, I remember Brian when Bill, check was hired and he brought in general manager, Mike Lombardi.

They kept talking about being the 33rd NFL team. Clearly the recruits aren't buying it. 56 in the nation, Alex. What irony that is because they are so far from where they should be. And if you're New York Giants fan, 56 is very significant because that's what warrants Taylor War. And that's their recruiting rank. And Warren's also played at Guess Where, North Carolina. The irony is great.

But yeah, they have NIO and they're still not getting anybody. I don't know how long the Belichick experiment's going to last, but I have a feeling this is going to be a thud at the end. I don't know how it's going to end, but it will be entertaining for all of us. All of us will get entertained by me. Except for Isaac Shade. I feel bad for him, the host of Lockdown Tor Heels. Thankfully for him, he can talk.

about baseball and basketball at that school. And he also, he's got a good sense of humor. Like, you know, Isaac, Isaac does not mind when we're on the squad shows and we pile on about North Carolina. He's a good sport about it. He's a better sport than I would be if Miami was in that shape. And I've been there before, believe me. Oh, yeah.

But it shouldn't be this hard at North Carolina though, Alex. I mean, that's a big state school with a lot of money. There's no excuse for giving the 50s in recruiting. I'm sorry. Well, there's a couple more that are in the top 25 in the ACC. I didn't want to skip over them. But the Cal Golden Bears, new coach, Tosh LaPoy, doing a respectable job on the trail, number 21. And Louisville number 22, which actually, I don't know, by their standard, maybe that's not that great.

Because we've seen Louisville a few years. I know they're having some debt trouble, but we've seen Louisville higher in recent recruiting cycles. So I guess Cal is probably a lot happier to be 24. first than Louisville would be right now to be 22nd if I had to guess. Well, Cal being in the top 25, I mean, it's Cal. No offense. That's not exactly the beacon of football hope. And give Tosh and his staff credit.

They're getting linemen. Heck, they got a really good defensive lineman out of Dallas. Cow. Yeah. So I'm like, okay, they got Dane Weaver, the quarterback at Shepperell down in California that's really good football player. Jackson Stokes are running back out of California that a bunch of people want. Like, okay, now they're starting to build something.

Now let's see what they can do on the field this fall. If they have a decent season and go to a bowl game, I bet that next class will pick up momentum. Maybe he can be a guy, but this is Tasha's first job. So it's going to be important to show proof of concept. But he's off to a good start and congratulations to him. Yeah. And as far as Louisville,

I mean, is it just me or it doesn't feel like it's really been the last couple of years? And then like Jeff Brom is obviously doing a really good job there in terms of the actual coaching. But is recruiting sliding there? Well, I mean, they haven't been what I thought they would. I thought they were going to take that next step. But they just seem to be kind of stuck in the same gear. Like they've got Alan Evans, a local kid that's a national recruit as a corner. He can play for anybody.

But they haven't added on, especially in the trenches. with any big name guys. I think that's what's holding them up. And their NIL is pretty good, but they just can't seem to get over the home. And even though they've got a quarterback guru's head coach, they haven't signed like an elite quarterback out of high school either. There's some good ones.

They keep taking transfer. So I'm waiting for that next step, and it just doesn't seem to come. And I'm a little concerned about that. But it's still a nice balance class, especially the skill positions, but they're not getting the linemen in the way they need to really take that next step, in my opinion.

So we'll see, but he has, he's always done, like, he won at Purdue. If you go in at Purdue, you're pretty darn good coach. So I think Louisville will still be a team that nobody wants to play every year. I think that'll be just to continue forever pretty much. I agree with that. Well, when we come back, as we've covered extensively on Lockdown ACC, you know, we have a new revenue formula where, you know, you get an uneven revenue. split. If you have higher TV ratings and if you have success in the postseason, you make more money

than the other teams do in the conference. Is Congress trying to put a stop to that? You want to keep it locked right here. We're not done yet on Locked on ACCC. Thank you so much for making Locked on ACC your first listen for your next listen. Make sure to check out Brian Smith, who does an awesome job, not only hosting Locked on Seminoles, talking all things Florida State, but he also hosts the portal here on the lockdown network where he talks recruiting. He talks transfer portal. And Brian is a great recruiting resource. You do so much in-person scouting, which we really appreciate all the knowledge that you bring to the table. And so I'm glad you pointed this out to me, Brian, because there's so much to cover on this congressional bill to protect college

sports. I mean, there's the save college sports to protect college sports. So, Part of that is they don't want conferences to do uneven revenue splits. And so what would that mean for the ACC? Because it seems like, Brian, the way that they're keeping Clemson and Florida State who were suing the conference. And Miami and others happy is, hey, you can earn more money if you do well. Yeah, how well do you think it's not only going to go with them with this, but let's name a few other teams are probably not real interested in this.

How's Michigan, Texas? Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Alabama. Those teams aren't going to be like, you know what, once we go into this super week and they're trying to stop that too. Yeah. Good luck. How are you going to stop that? These teams are going to want some kind of provisions because, look, I'm not trying to be

mean, but if you bring the groceries and you cook the meal, you should get a little bit more of the line share of the money. Imagine what the eyeballs are for a Georgia game. or a Miami game or et cetera compared to, no offense, Mississippi State or Wake Forest. It's just not to say. So you have to do it. At least there has to be some kind of financial direct correlation there in this flatline idea. Good luck.

And I'm just going to say it now. I'm not trying to get into politics. But if you're in a state, let's say Florida, they got three major programs and still got UCF, USF, all that stuff too. I get it. but if you get a phone call from UF or Miami or whatever and you're a congressperson and they're like look if you support this don't look for any support from us we're going to tell people not to vote for you it's going to get real pretentious real quick and so so they they want every program in the country to make the same TV money that's what it is at the

P4 level like I don't know about the sorry that's not going to work like the question I have and I haven't read it just to be clear yeah nobody has I mean Oh, God, yeah. Good point. What about the G6 teams? Where's, you can't, I'm trying to pick on them. You can't tell me Tulane gets the same thing that Alabama does. No. I, you know what I mean? Like, there has to be levels. It just is what it is. Football is the one sport that inherently is extremely unbalanced. It's just always been that way. Kids want to go to about 15 schools. We all know who they are. You're not going to tell me, Tawain should get to eat from the same piece of pie that Miami. I'm sorry. So how do they even get the bill passed just with that? And then on top of it, there are several other issues that are being argued. Unless this bill shrinks considerably, it's never going to get through.

But that's one right there. I'm like, you're done. Yeah. I know that Tony Petiti and some other people have met with Ted Cruz, et cetera. I would love to be a fly on the wall with that private conversation. I'm guessing that didn't go very well. But here we are, Alex, talking politics and college football. What could go wrong?

Right. It always seems like politics always finds a way to bleed in to sports. I don't know why that happened. It's terrible. Yeah. Yeah, well, I appreciate your time, as always. You guys want to make sure to check out Brian Smith at the portal and at Locked on Seminels.

Man, well, hopefully, Brian, we have some more big commits to talk about in the near future, whether it's Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech, who's crushing it on the trail right now. Maybe Florida State will get some talent to come in. Maybe, maybe not. We will talk to everyone again next time. Make sure you smash the like button, subscribe. Make sure you follow Brian on X at FB Scout underscore Florida. Follow me at Alex Dono.

host Lockdown Cains. By the way, Kenton will be back next time. He got a little tied up today, so we held the fort down. So we'll see Kenton Gibbs and the Everydayers next time on another episode of Lockdowne ACC. We are part of the number one sports podcast network, the Lockdown podcast network, your team every day.