Clemson dips into Texas for hard-hitting DB Andrew Mukuba

One of the nation's top uncommitted defensive backs is finally off the board.

As the calendar flipped to October, Austin (Texas) Lyndon B. Johnson three-star safety Andrew Mukuba secured a spot in Clemson's 2021 recruiting class. Mukuba, the No. 26-ranked safety in the country, is the first defensive back to pledge to the Tigers to date in this cycle.

Last year, Clemson inked Southlake (Texas) Carroll three-star safety RJ Mickens from the Lone Star State.

Mukuba brings the total number of commitments up to 16 in Clemson's class, but is the first player from Texas. Clemson's haul features four prospects from Georgia, three prospects from North Carolina and three more from Florida.

Entering the day, the Tigers ranked 10th nationally in the Rivals team rankings.

"With Clemson, they didn't have to say a bunch of stuff to me. You can look and you can see for yourself. You know Clemson is about. You know what Clemson is. There wasn't much that they had to do to get me on their side. You can look at their defensive coaches, their defensive backs, and you look at (defensive coordinator) Coach Brent Venables's resume and he's done a lot. He's one of the greatest defensive coordinators in college football right now and them just showing interest in me, that was crazy ... that was amazing for me."

"My relationship with him (Venables) is amazing. Coach V is one of those guys I can count on to call and we can talk about anything. With me and him, it's beyond football. We talk about life and things like that."

"Clemson is a good football program and they give you a program experience. They develop men, they develop players, and (my) relationships there are really tight."

"With Clemson, it's different. Coach V is like the head coach of the defense. He recruits the defense and Coach (Dabo) Swinney is the coach of the offense. He recruits the offensive players a lot, but we've talked a couple of times and every time I talk to Dabo, it's amazing."

Mukuba is a two-sport standout that enjoyed a breakout season as a junior in 2019 with secondary mate Latrell McCutchin sidelined for the year. Mukuba, a 6-foot, 185 pound hybrid defensive back capable of seeing snaps at free safety or inside in the slot, was named the District 12-5A Division I Offensive Newcomer of the Year for the fireworks provided on offense. He was also tabbed as a unanimous All-District selection at safety.

Mukuba is a standout in track and field. He has previously recorded times in the 100-meter (11.49 seconds), the 200-meter (22.64 seconds) and the 400-meter (55.55 seconds). He's recorded the following marks in the long jump (19-feet, 1.5 inches) and triple jump (37 feet, 11 inches).

On the field, Mukuba was electric as a pass-catcher for Lyndon B. Johnson. He flashed with his ability to make plays in the open field, make contested catches and flash his athleticism along the way, as well as his breakaway speed.

Mukuba is twitchy with the ball in his hands and a natural playmaker. He flashed on offense and again in the return game, and several of those promising attributes should carry over to his potential on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, Mukuba carried the ball six times for 41 yards and a touchdown. He also reeled in 36 catches for 807 yards, and in the process, flashed an impressive vertical jump on a contested ball. Muukuba was able to tower over the defensive back and use his strong hands to bring down the pass with relative ease. As he adjusts to being a full-time safety for Clemson, those traits should translate well allowing Mukuba to blanket receivers in these same game situations.

Defensively, Mukuba made his fair share of plays as well. He was responsible for 26 tackles a season ago along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

What stands out is Mukuba's elite closing speed. It shows when the ball is on the ground or in the air; Mukuba takes direct paths to the football and can be a physical tackler in the open field or jar the ball loose on a passing play. Mukuba sees the field very well back a center-fielder position and has enough speed and instincts to flock toward the ball and read the quarterback's eyes. His speed, ability to cover a ton of real estate and make significant plays with the ball in the vicinity is what makes Mukuba such a coveted defensive back.

Mukuba has proven to be a sure tackler in the open field and physical enough to make receivers looking to catch passes in the middle of the field pay. He's a playmaker on the back end of the secondary because of that physical nature. That's a desirable trait for any hybrid defensive back that'll see action at safety and in the nickel.