Dabo Swinney Can’t Contain Emotions as Clemson Score Major Recruitment Win Over Rivals South Carolina

Dabo Swinney isn’t one to shy away from a storm; in fact, he thrives under pressure. Taking the reins after Tommy Bowden’s sudden departure, Swinney didn’t flinch, guiding Clemson to national championships in 2016 and 2018—his 2018 squad still echoes as one of college football’s all-time greats. It’s no surprise he stands as the winningest coach in Clemson’s history and the ACC. Now, Swinney is proving his recruiting touch remains electric. He just snatched a 4-star safety right out of South Carolina’s grasp, fueling Clemson’s legacy with that familiar fire.

Now, after bulldozing South Carolina and Michigan, Dabo Swinney strikes gold with a 6’2″, 190-pound safety, Kentavion “Polo” Anderson from Dorman High School. He is ranked nationally as the No. 119 overall prospect, No. 10 safety, and South Carolina’s No. 2 player (247Sports Composite). But that wasn’t an easy deal. Anderson boasts over 20 offers from top programs, including Florida, USC, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Clemson offered last December, after the 2023 season.

Since then, Anderson frequently visited the campus, including trips in January (following Tom Allen’s arrival) and March (for the Elite Retreat). But now, the theatrical moment between Swinney and Polo, rather than just his commitment, is what’s truly setting the internet ablaze. How?

Well, during a live On3 stream, Anderson paused and pulled out his phone, calling Coach Swinney. The room went silent as Anderson held up the phone. Swinney answered, perfectly playing along, “Hello, is this Marco?”

“Yes sir, it’s Polo,” Anderson replied, prompting Swinney’s echoing response: “Marcoooo… Poloooo!” Let’s GOOOO!!” A roar of cheers filled the room as Anderson asked, “Coach, where are we going?” Swinney yelled, “We’re going to Clemson!” Then Anderson pulled out a Tigers hat, while his family rose in unison, proudly revealing their Clemson orange shirts, turning his commitment into an emotional and unforgettable moment of collective support.

This moment, however, is just a glimpse into the strong connection Anderson shares with Dabo Swinney. As Anderson explained, “He is a great person. We know what he has done as a coach, but Coach Dabo is going to help me become a better man off the field too. It is not just about football with him or his coaching staff. They do a lot more for their players and I am going to learn a lot about life and football from coach Dabo and all the people at Clemson.”

Anderson’s on-field performance clearly justifies the buzz surrounding him; last season, he helped Dorman achieve a 6-4 record and earned a spot on the All-Upstate second team for his defensive prowess. His addition to the team’s defense, alongside Kaden Gebhardt, promises to significantly bolster their defensive strength. But the lingering question remains: what ultimately swayed Anderson to choose Clemson over their in-state rivals, South Carolina?

Dabo Swinney’s team is making a long-lasting impact on Anderson

Well, Dabo Swinney’s program wasn’t a top choice for Kentavion “Polo” Anderson. In early February, Anderson ranked South Carolina first among his finalists: Clemson, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, South Carolina, and Virginia. Yet, a Clemson visit a little more than a month later flipped the script.

“That visit was huge,” Anderson told On3. “It was huge for me and my family. The time we had with the coaches, the talks we had together and the feeling we had on that visit changed my recruitment. Clemson was in my top three before that visit, but when I left, I knew Clemson was my top school.” But what stood out the most was Clemson’s culture.

The visit was impactful; Anderson highlighted Clemson’s culture as the deciding element. “It is just about family,” Anderson said. “South Carolina and North Carolina are great schools and they were high on my list too, but that culture at Clemson gave me a different feeling. The people there care for each other. The culture, the family, the people, and the staff are the biggest reasons I chose Clemson.” He will officially visit Death Valley on May 30th. So, what does Anderson’s commitment mean to Clemson?

Clemson’s 2026 recruiting class hadn’t seen many in-state players until Kentavion Anderson committed. This boosts Clemson’s presence in South Carolina. Anderson strengthens their secondary, adding range and athleticism.

They’ve also secured cornerbacks Marcell Gipson and Shavar Young, bolstering the defense’s physicality and versatility. Even though top prospect Samari Matthews is still weighing his options between Texas, Florida State, and South Carolina after visiting Clemson, Anderson’s commitment—and maybe a few others—could be the nudge he needs to hop on the Clemson train.