DeRon Middleton looked into Zaire Patterson’s eyes the first time Patterson visited the Clemson campus, and he knew. He knew Clemson was a dream come true for his young defensive end.
Patterson, a four-star defensive end out of Winston-Salem (N.C.) Prep announced his commitment to Clemson Tuesday afternoon, the 13th pledge for the Tigers in the 2021 recruiting class (and the second defensive end). Clemson, South Carolina, and North Carolina were the finalists.
Middleton, the head coach at Winston-Salem Prep, said the Tigers are getting the entire package with Patterson.
“As a person, Clemson is getting a kind, loving young man who just wants to be part of the family,” Middleton said.