One of the late additions to Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class was a standout linebacker from Maryland in CJ Kubah-Taylor.
The Tigers had just recently gotten involved with the Good Counsel High School (Olney, Md.) talent, but things progressed quickly. He took an official visit to Tiger Town last weekend before committing to Clemson on Tuesday, one day prior to the early signing period.
The Clemson Insider caught up with Kubah-Taylor after he made things official and inked with Dabo Swinney’s program on Wednesday at the outset of the early signing period.
“It felt amazing to sign with a top program like Clemson,” he said. “It was just a surreal moment because all my hard work and dedication is starting to pay off.”
Along with Clemson, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior had offers from Charlotte, Marshall, UMass, Navy and Temple among others, and he was headed to play college football elsewhere before the Tigers swooped in at the end.
“It’s just so surreal. Just about two weeks ago I was committed to Temple and now here I am signed to one of the best Power 5 programs in the country,” he said.
Ultimately, the opportunity to play for the Tigers was something Kubah-Taylor couldn’t turn down.
“I chose Clemson because I wanted to be a part of a family and culture that had a chance at playing for a natty,” he said.
After playing his first two high school seasons at Urbana (Ijamsville, Md.), Kubah-Taylor transferred to Good Counsel ahead of his junior season in 2022, when he posted 49 total tackles (41 solo) with three tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups and an interception.
A first-team All-WCAC selection in 2023, Kubah-Taylor helped Good Counsel to a 10-1 record, a WCAC title and a No. 1 final ranking in the Washington Post Top 20 this season. He was credited with 87 total tackles (62 solo), eight tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior.
Kubah-Taylor played a huge part in Good Counsel’s WCAC championship victory, during which he made multiple pivotal plays including a fumble recovery that set up the game-winning score and a critical pass breakup on fourth down late in the contest.
What about his game got Clemson’s attention and attracted the Tigers to him?
“I know that the coaches like my size and football IQ,” he said. “I also know that they like how fast and physical I play. I’ve been told several times that I may be one of the hardest hitters in this signing class.”
Kubah-Taylor’s Good Counsel teammate, four-star defensive end Darien Mayo, also signed with Clemson in the 2024 class, and Kubah-Taylor is excited to suit up again with Mayo at the college level.
“It’s great to be able to go to the same school as my teammate,” he said. “You know Mayo is a great player and an even better friend. That’s my guy and we plan on being roommates our freshman year.”
Kubah-Taylor will enroll at Clemson next summer, and he’s certainly looking forward to the start of his Tiger career.
“I just can’t wait,” he said. “Unfortunately my school doesn’t allow early enrollment but I just gotta be ready to plug into the program in June!”
–Photo courtesy of CJ Kubah-Taylor (@cjkubahtaylor) on X (formerly Twitter)
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is sellingfootballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
