Clemson defensive back target Marquis Bryant commits to North Carolina

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Clemson will have to look elsewhere at safety in the 2027 cycle after one of its limited targets came off the board.

Marquis Bryant, a four-star defensive back out of Rolesville, North Carolina, announced Tuesday that he’s committing to North Carolina. The Tar Heels won out over a large finalist group that featured several national programs, including Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State, Tennessee and Texas A&M, among others.

Bryant had been on the Tigers’ radar since early summer, earning an offer after a camp workout in June. He later made it back to Death Valley for the season opener against LSU, but North Carolina steadily gained traction throughout the fall and ultimately separated itself late in the process.

The 6-foot safety put together a strong senior season, finishing with six interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. In the Rivals Industry Rankings, Bryant is listed as the No. 169 overall prospect in the class, the No. 17 safety nationally and one of the top defenders in the state of North Carolina.

While missing on Bryant narrows the board, Clemson is not empty-handed at the position. The Tigers already hold a commitment from three-star safety Harrison Luke, who pledged earlier this year, leaving the staff with flexibility as the 2027 cycle continues to take shape.

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson loses out on a key safety target to North Carolina

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