Inside Clemson's incredibly stacked, top-ranked 2020 recruiting class

Clemson's incredible 2020 class -- still in the making -- has been in the works since June 2018, which feels like an eternity ago.

As it stands -- and it's only May -- Clemson has the most five-star commits and the most ESPN 300 commits. Oh, and 11 of its 14 commitments ranked in the top five of their respective positions. (Scroll down to read a quick scouting report on most of Clemson's 2020 commits.)

So how did the Tigers, which have never had a No. 1 class, get here so quickly?

The foundation began in June 2018 with ESPN 300 defensive tackle Demonte Capehart, the first pledge, and linebacker Sergio Allen, who followed shortly thereafter. Little did those two know that the wave coming behind them would push Clemson to the top-ranked class and have people talking about quite possibly the best class Dabo Swinney has ever recruited as a head coach.

Atypical of a staff that usually waits until later in the recruiting cycle to make offers, the team secured an early haul of Capehart, Allen, ESPN 300 offensive linemen Walker Parks and Paul Tchio, and four-star lineman John Williams.

Then things snowballed, with recruits plotting their moves with each other even before announcing their commitment to the Tigers.

"Bryan Bresee, I already told him I would be there, so we said we were going to go [to Clemson] together," quarterback commit D.J. Uiagalelei said. "The running back from Florida that committed [DeMarkcus Bowman], I talked to him before he did it."

And while future Tigers brush off the importance of a top-ranked class, they have seemingly made it a point to try to help Swinney's efforts to get it.

"This will be the year for that," Bresee said. "I just think when you're committed, you want to have good players and good people around you. I want to go after who I think is going to make the team better. I don't really care about the number [ranking], but if it happens to be a higher-ranked recruit that I think will fit with us, then I'm going after him."

Having those extra recruiters on the ground has been a big help, and, not coincidentally, both Bresee and Uiagalelei are impact recruits in the class.

Bresee, ranked No. 8 overall, is the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class. He is one of five ESPN 300 defensive linemen committed in the class, and one of two five-stars, along with defensive end Myles Murphy, ranked No. 2 overall.

The impressive defensive line haul comes at an excellent time, as Clemson saw four defensive linemen drafted to the NFL in April. Reloading that line with elite prospects was imperative for depth and potentially getting help from some of the younger players once they hit campus.

The defensive line isn't the only position group getting all the attention, though, as there are four ESPN 300 offensive linemen and one four-star lineman committed in the class. The coaches only signed one ESPN 300 offensive lineman in 2019, so this group is going to be much-needed heading into the 2020 season.

The timing was key for Uiagalelei at quarterback as well, who will join when current starter Trevor Lawrence enters his third season -- and it seems likely that Lawrence would leave Clemson once he's draft eligible. That would mean Uiagalelei sits his first year and then competes to take over the starting job in his second season on campus. That timing is ideal for Clemson coaches seeking to avoid any lapse at quarterback.

Perhaps most intimidating of all about this top-ranked class? Clemson won two national championships in 2016 and 2018 while averaging a recruiting class ranking of 8.6 from 2013 to 2018. -- Tom VanHaaren

Looking at the 2020 recruits

DE Myles Murphy (No. 2 overall) -- Murphy has a good blend of height, strength and bulk, and his frame will continue to develop. He displays good initial burst but inconsistent snap anticipation. He can be tough at the point of attack, with ability to fire off low and play with leverage. Murphy needs to improve his hand usage; once he's on track, he displays very good range, but can struggle to quickly redirect.

DT Bryan Bresee (No. 8 overall) -- Bresee is a "Nick Bosa" type with ideal measurables: long arms, good overall power and hand usage. He has a good motor, plays hard and is very disruptive, but is a little stiff. Bresee has a great first-step ability to change direction, although he's a little too dependent on the spin move.

OT Mitchell Mayes (No. 11 overall) -- Mayes, who has a very high ceiling for physical ability, demonstrates very good functional strength. When he's locked on, he can control and steer defenders. He'll need to improve his lower body flexibility.

RB DeMarkcus Bowman (No. 24 overall) -- Bowman has excellent top-end speed with home run ability when he gets a crease. A bit uptight as a runner, he sometimes needs to gear down to change direction, but he is decisive, with good balance.

DT Demonte Capehart (No. 27 overall) -- Capehart is raw but talented, but shows suddenness off the ball and then tapers off. He could be an end/DT swing player.

DT Tre Williams (No. 36 overall) -- Williams is big and quick, although raw and inconsistent in his production. He's a disruptive force, but poor level of competition and poor hands.

CB Fred Davis (No. 44 overall) -- Davis is long and athletic with good height. He runs well, given his quick feet and good hips. He's not disciplined in coverage but makes up for any mistakes with his talent. Perhaps a bit too confident, he may be a better athlete than he is football player at this stage.

ATH R.J. Mickens (No. 46 overall) -- He's a legitimate two-way candidate, an agile, wiry runner who can shift gears. He's really gifted when the ball is in the air and competes in a crowd on both sides of the ball. Will likely project on defense first, due to his length and ball skills.

QB D.J. Uiagalelei (No. 50 overall) -- A big pocket passer with nice arm power, Uiagalelei has shown improvement in progression, but is still more of a "one read and go." Given his stature, he's got good mobility and quickness to elude the rush and generate second opportunities. He is not the same athlete as Deshaun Watson or Trevor Lawrence.

OT Walker Parks (No. 87 overall)-- Parks is a late bloomer, tall, lanky and thin but talented. He'll need to live in the weight room. He shows initial pop and is deceptively strong once he locks on. He plays on defense, but projects as a tackle.

Clemson has four commitments from prospects ranked beyond 100: DE Kevin Swint (No. 104 overall), OT Bryn Tucker (No. 125 overall), OG Paul Tchio (No. 137 overall) and ILB Sergio Allen (No. 143 overall). Offensive tackle commit John Williams and running back commit Kobe Pryor are not ranked in the ESPN 300 but are both four-star recruits.

-- Tom Luginbill