Zaier Patterson picked the tigers over several schools including South Carolina,Alabama,North Carolina and Auburn.Patterson stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 215 pounds. He is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports.com. The recruiting website also ranks him as the No. 6 overall player from North Carolina and the No. 8 weak-side defensive end in the Class of 2021.
Patterson becomes the second in-state player this month to commit to Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney. Weddington five-star running back Will Shipley made his decision on May 5.
The Tigers are up to 13 verbal commitments in their 2021 recruiting class, which is ranked third nationally by 247Sports.com and includes 11 four-star players.