Well, believe it or not, Dabo Swinney might just be the luckiest man in CFB right now. The dude’s been on an absolute tear, stacking blue-chip recruits. And here’s the kicker—he’s nowhere near done. Clemson’s 2026 class has swiftly climbed from the mid-30s to the second spot in the nation in just a few days, not weeks! The latest addition is a 6’2″, 285-pound defensive powerhouse who is pushing Lincoln Riley’s team aside in a high-stakes recruiting battle. Clearly, Swinney’s heater isn’t merely hot; it’s like a nuclear reactor.
Now, who’s this defensive weapon? It’s none other than Savannah’s Four-Star DL Kameron Cody, who chose the Tigers over LSU, Tennessee, Arizona State, and Georgia Tech. Now, what makes his recruitment so interesting is he is the first defensive lineman on Dabo Swinney’s team and the 13th member of the 2026 class. But this might not be exciting news for Lincoln Riley and the team. Why? Look, currently, the Tigers have 13 commits for 2026, the 2nd most, and the Trojans have 16 commits. That means it’s just a matter of time before Swinney and his team might outcast them from the top position.
Clemson adds its first defensive lineman in the 2026 class. Tigers now have 13 recruits committed. https://t.co/jSspQ5Im0N
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) March 29, 2025
That was the last thing Lincoln Riley and his team wanted, but for now, Kameron Cody is stealing the spotlight. Not only is he Clemson’s first 2026 commit from Georgia, but he is also the fourth defensive recruit to join, alongside four-star safety Kaden Gebhardt and cornerbacks Marcell Gipson and Shavar Young Jr. And Cody’s recruitment gained momentum earlier this year when Clemson offered him a spot after a visit from Tigers defensive tackles coach Nick Eason.
Now, that visit sealed the deal, as talking about it, Kameron Cody says, “I visited Clemson for the first time when I was in seventh grade, and then I went again for the Elite Retreat in March.” He further added, “I just like the family environment they have there; it feels like home. I like how everyone interacts with each other. They can give constructive criticism, and there’s no fighting about it. It feels like a brotherhood and definitely reminds me of Benedictine in that way.”
During his junior season at Benedictine, Cody made a lasting impression with his remarkable performance. He accumulated 75 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, solidifying his place among the top players in the 2026 class. These impressive stats earned him the 53rd spot in national rankings for defensive linemen and the 41st spot in Georgia. However, behind this success lies a compelling, untold story of struggle.
Dabo Swinney’s program gives a homelike feel to Kameron Cody
Well, Kameron Cody’s journey goes beyond his achievements on the field. As a freshman, he faced a life-threatening situation during a practice at Benedictine when he experienced a cardiac incident. He stopped breathing, and it was the quick response of trainers Brian Tuten and Ed Livingston that saved his life. After being revived, Cody had difficulty breathing for almost 40 minutes before being rushed to the hospital with head coach Danny Britt by his side.
Despite this harrowing experience, Cody remained steadfast in pursuing his football aspirations. He underwent surgery to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed in his heart and remarkably returned to the field for Benedictine’s season opener in his sophomore year. This resilience and determination highlight Cody’s remarkable journey, making his commitment to Clemson not just a recruiting triumph but the latest chapter in an extraordinary story.
That’s a comeback very few can make. “We’re really proud of Kam,” Benedictine defensive coordinator Galen Houston said. “He’s very athletic and is a big, strong kid with a lot of toughness. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to get off the ball. He plays inspired and has an attitude when he’s out there on the field.” Galen further talks about Cody’s gameplay and praises him, saying, “He’s one of the rare interior linemen that can stay on the field for every down because he can do it all—from stopping the run to rushing the passer to chasing down a ball carrier downfield,” Houston added. “Kam is just a special player.”
On top of that, Kameron Cody also attributes his recovery to Benedictine’s close-knit, family-like environment; this strong sense of brotherhood also influenced his decision to attend Clemson. To him, it’s not just about football; it’s about finding a place where he truly belongs.
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