James Clifford
James Clifford
About James
Expert Analysis
Zack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford picked up two preferred walk-on offers from Oregon and USC this month. The 6’7″/235 senior has been on the PRZ CA radar since 2024 and put his name at the top of San Diego’s TE rankings with his breakout senior season on the offensive side of the ball. Caught 38 passes for 800+ yards and 12 TDs last season and chipped in 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 17 TFLs from his DE spot. He’s a high-upside receiving target for a TE with the rare combination of length and athleticism he brings to the position. Clifford holds other offers from Weber St. and Portland St. and will be one of the top San Diego prospects to monitor ahead of the upcoming Signing Day.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford caight five passes for 141 yards with a touchdown in Poway’s loss to Lincoln. The Lincoln coaching staff was very complimentary of Clifford on social media throughout the weekend.
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Read EvaluationMichael Huntley | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford caught six passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns in Poway’s overtime loss to Oceanside.
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Read EvaluationPaul Gregorian | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford is a still raw and developing prospect, but has elite length, range and closing speed off the edge from his defensive end spot. He covers a ton of ground quickly, shows he can bend the corner and win with both speed and power and is extremely physical at the POA with all the starting tools to grow into a elite level pass rusher in college. At 6’6+, his frame can easily add another 35-40 pounds, and he flashes good body control for his size and strength at the point. He holds tons of upside at the next level and as he continues to add to his toolbox and fundamentals, he will be a nice steal for a college team. The talented edge rusher currently holds one offer from Portland State.
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford showed promising growth and development as an EDGE defender in his junior season. The 6’6″/220 EDGE and TE totaled 24 tackles and 3 sacks last season. Brings good length, range, and athleticism to the front-seven and showed improvement in his pass-rush skillset in his junior film. Needs to continue to work in the weight room to become a stronger, more physical force against the run but offers some promising tools and upside. Clifford- the current #21 TE in PRZ CA’s 2026 rankings- is a player to keep an eye on down the stretch of the 2026 cycle.
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Clifford was a breakout TE in San Diego that flashed tremendous length (6’6”/220) and skillset as a receiver. He’s a long, lanky target with a rangy catch radius and uses his frame well to box-out defenders. He’s still growing into his body as an athlete and route-runner, but works the middle of the field well on intermediate concepts and made plays split out wide and out of the slot as a sophomore. He shows soft, natural hands that can extend and keep the ball from getting into his body as a pass catcher. Also plays DE on defense. Clifford has the potential to emerge as one of the top TE prospects in San Diego as he continues to develop athletically and skill-wise.
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