In-State DL Connor McFadden Earns Preferred Walk-On Spot at Clemson

McFadden will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship after impressing coaches during a late-season high school game.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Connor McFadden, a defensive end from Catawba Ridge High School in South Carolina, has signed with Clemson as a preferred walk-on. Despite not being immediately offered a scholarship, McFadden will have the chance to earn one through his performance on the team. McFadden caught the attention of Clemson's coaching staff during a late-season high school game, leading to a last-minute recruitment and visit before signing day.

Why it matters

The implementation of the 105-man roster limit in college football has led to fewer full scholarship opportunities, but Clemson is still finding ways to bring in talented walk-on players like McFadden who can potentially earn scholarships down the line. This highlights Clemson's continued ability to attract top in-state talent, even without immediate scholarship offers.

The details

McFadden, a 6-foot-5, 238-pound defensive end, caught the eye of Clemson assistant coach Mike Reed during a late-October high school game. Despite not hearing from Clemson in the following weeks, McFadden received a call about a week before signing day offering him a preferred walk-on spot. McFadden quickly set up a visit, spent several hours on campus, and committed the same day.

  • In late October, Clemson assistant coach Mike Reed attended a Catawba Ridge High School game.
  • About a week before signing day, McFadden received a call from Clemson offering him a preferred walk-on spot.
  • The Friday before signing day, McFadden spent around six hours on Clemson's campus before committing.
  • McFadden signed with Clemson on National Signing Day.

The players

Connor McFadden

A 6-foot-5, 238-pound defensive end from Catawba Ridge High School in South Carolina who signed with Clemson as a preferred walk-on.

Mike Reed

A Clemson assistant coach who attended a Catawba Ridge High School game in late October and was impressed by McFadden's performance.

Josh Dobson

A five-star cornerback who played for Catawba Ridge High School and was the initial reason Clemson's coach attended the game where McFadden caught his eye.

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What they’re saying

“They are basically telling me — they offered me a PWO, which is a guaranteed spot on the 105-man roster. They are telling me they aren't just throwing it out there just because they have an extra roster spot. They can see me eventually becoming a scholarship player. I just got to put the work in.”

— Connor McFadden (The Clemson Insider)

What’s next

McFadden will now join Clemson's football program as a preferred walk-on, with the opportunity to earn a scholarship in the future through his performance on the team.

The takeaway

Clemson's ability to attract talented in-state walk-on players like Connor McFadden, who can potentially earn scholarships, highlights the program's continued success in recruiting despite the new 105-man roster limit in college football.