Clemson’s Defensive Backfield Gets a Boost with These Incoming Safeties
We are going to take a closer look at Clemson’s 2024 Recruiting Class of safeties who are set to make waves in the team’s upcoming games. From their impressive skills to their undeniable potential, Noah Dixon, Joe Wilkinson, and Ricardo Jones II are the rising stars that every Tigers fan should keep an eye on. Gear up, get hyped, and join us as we dive into the dynamic world of Clemson’s top safeties in the highly anticipated 2024 class.
Noah Dixon
Noah Dixon, a four-star prospect selected to both the Rivals 250 and the ESPN300, is ranked as the No. 146 overall player in the nation by Rivals, No. 259 nationally by ESPN, and No. 272 in the nation by PrepStar. Known for his versatility, he contributed to Troup County’s 9-3 record in 2023 in multiple ways, scoring 14 touchdowns as a receiver, running back, and on kickoff returns. He also made significant contributions on defense, with 34 tackles in his senior year. His achievements earned him All-Region 4A selection as a junior and senior, and the Region 4A Athlete of the Year as a senior. He was named to the 2023 Scout Smart All-Academic Team on defense and the Touchdown Club of Atlanta’s preseason all-star team. With a career total of 99 tackles, 843 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns in 28 games, Dixon committed to Clemson on Jan. 30, 2023, and is expected to enroll in January 2024.
Joe Wilkinson
Brace yourselves, sports fans! Joe Wilkinson isn’t just a rising star; he’s a supernova in the world of high school football. This three-star prospect, as recognized by On3 and 247Sports, has been turning heads and making headlines throughout his high school career. His accolades? Oh, they’re just as impressive as the player himself. A 6A all-state selection by 11Alive News, a two-time all-region honoree, and the 2023 Region 6-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year. And let’s not forget his selection as a Georgia Public Broadcasting All-Star for 2023.
Wilkinson’s stats read like an action-packed novel – a whopping 171 total tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Add to that his three fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns, and two blocked punts, and you’ve got a player who knows how to keep the crowd on their feet! But Wilkinson isn’t just a one-man show. He’s a team player, helping Rome High School clinch three consecutive region championships from 2021-23, contributing to an impressive 23-4 record over his final two seasons.
Ricardo Jones II
He is an exceptional safety and accomplished three prestigious all-region and all-state selections in the state of Georgia. In his senior year of high school, Jones made his presence known with a superb performance, recording 33 tackles and 3 interceptions in just five games. Over his whole high school career, Jones proved himself time and time again, amassing an impressive 111 tackles, 18 interceptions, and 23 defensive takeaways. His versatility was also on display, as he dabbled in playing quarterback, adding passing yards, receiving yards, and a touchdown to his record. But football wasn’t the only sport where he shone; Jones achieved two all-region selections and was named an all-state player in basketball during his junior year. Fans of Clemson University are eagerly anticipating Jones’ arrival after he committed to attending the school in June 2023. Excitement is high for his enrollment starting in January 2024, as they know the team is getting a true talent in Ricardo Jones II.
