On Monday, the final Top 5 spots in the Line Drive 2028 HOT 100 were revealed and one of those honored was Kira Driggers, a talented catcher and infielder from Kennesaw, Ga. who last week committed to the Clemson Tigers.

For context, Kira blew up as a high school sophomore last fall (2025) when she batted .600 with a .667 on-base percentage, a 1.382 slugging percentage and a jaw-dropping 2.048 OPS with 11 home runs for Mt. Paren High.

This summer, the 2028 grad competed on Stacy Tamborra’s Athletic Gold 18U team and, against the best teams and players in the country, hit close to .400 with another 11 dingers.

Coach Tamborra recalls the future ACC signee had some work to do to be where the team needed her to be… the question was: Would Kira be willing to do what was needed to elevate her game?

“She is such a talented athlete,” the A’s Gold coach begins, “but it was her passion and energy on the field that always stood out to me.”

“It was a big step for her to trust in the decision to come here with us,” the long-time coach continues. She was coming to play with girls that are older than her (2026’s and ‘27’s) that have been playing together for a very long time.”

“Kira had been underutilized where she was and we had a need that I believed she was capable of filling, if she was willing to really step up and put the work in.”

“She understood the assignment—it would be no nonsense on the field. Kira battled through a big learning curve and just kept getting back up and dusting herself off (literally…we will address that in a second) and just getting better with every challenge.”

“She had some real fundamental work to do to play middle infield for us that was going to require more than just what we were doing in practice to get caught up.”

“I asked her to get extra work in with a local instructor I trusted which meant a greater investment of time and money to get the training she needed. I truly commend Kira’s mom for being all in and supporting every step of what was asked. She supported and challenged Kira through the entire process which, I’m sure was tough at times to watch your child have to go through hard things, but she was nothing but supportive and grateful through it all.”

The Athletics Gold program lead also tells a great story around a favorite memory of hers about Kira:

“One moment I will never forget…we were playing Corona Angels Tyson at the Triple Crown Stadium in Colorado and it was a very intense game where we had bobbled a couple balls and put our back against the wall”

“Kira dove for a ball up the middle that tipped off her glove (it was a tough play) and she proceeded to get up and take off her glove to dust herself off … meanwhile the play wasn’t over and our center fielder threw the ball into her to get the runner at second … but Kira didn’t have her glove on!”

“Needless to say, she got an earful from me. I pulled her off the field after that play and told her she had to grow up—she’s better than that—and you know there’s always a next play!”

“She sat there and took it and said: ‘Yes ma’am.’”

“She cheered for her team and the next inning she was up to bat with the game on the line. I had a choice to hit her or go with someone in her place. I looked at her and said ‘Let’s Go! Nobody better! Do you right now!’”

“Kira put the next pitch towering over the massive right field wall into the next field! She rounded third and I said: ‘You know kiddo, you don’t have to make everything so hard!’”

“I couldn’t have been prouder or more excited for that little girl in that moment!”

“We ask our kids to choose hard things and to understand that pressure is a privilege… and Kira embodies every aspect of that! I love this kid and truly believe this is just the beginning of what she’s truly capable of.”

No surprise, then, that the Class of 2028 standout had plenty of recruiting attention, but it didn’t take long with Kira to find her future home.

Two days after the start of the live recruiting period for high school juniors, Kira had pulled the trigger and committed to the coaches at her future ACC school.

What made her fall in love with Clemson and coaching staff, led by Head Coach John Rittman, so quickly?

Here’s what Kira had to say about her recruiting process…

*****

Kira On Why Clemson:

“To answer the question of why Clemson, I had six other visit offers on the table, and I had been to many of those schools’ camps. “

“I had a list of variables I was looking at that were factors in my decision:”

• a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine,
• the details of the scholarship,
• the university’s football program including the culture around it,
• the cost-of-living expenses,
• proximity to home and family
• accepting dual enrollment credits,
• stacking scholarships,
• vibe of the student body (school pride/ high energy).

 

“It was a clear choice for me that Clemson was it and I knew I would feel bad wasting anyone else’s time (coaches) visiting their campus when they could spend that time recruiting someone else.”

“What really stood out to me about Clemson was how family-oriented everything felt from the very beginning. “

“I immediately felt welcomed and like I was truly part of something bigger than just softball. “

“The culture, the people, and the atmosphere made Clemson feel like home to me.”

“I also really loved Coach Crash’s energy (Assistant Coach Katie Robinson) and the way she connects with her players. You can tell how passionate she is about Clemson and about helping her players become the best versions of themselves. “

“I loved seeing how much the coaches care about their players both on and off the field.”

“The opportunity to play at Clemson while being surrounded by people who genuinely believe in me is something I couldn’t pass up.”

“The more time I spent around the program, the more I could picture myself there and knew it was where I was meant to be.”

“I truly fell in love with Clemson, and I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to call it my future home!”

*****

Player Spotlight:

NAME: Kira Driggers
Position(s): MIF/ UT 
High School (City/ST): Mt. Paran Christian School (Kennesaw, Ga.)
Club Team: Athletics Gold Tamborra – 18U
Grad Year: 2028
Committed To: Clemson University
Date Committed: September 3, 2026

Top Achievements, Stats, Honors and/or Accomplishments:

On the Field:

• Line Drive Media No. 5 ranking
• 2^nd Team All-State (2025)
• Region Offensive Player of the Year
• 1^st Team All-Region (Shortstop)
• All-Cobb County
• PGF Future All-American Finalist
• Mount Paran Rookie of the Year (2024)
• USA Softball American
• Ranked No. 97 in Basketball by Prep Hoops
• 2^nd Team All-Region (Basketball)

Off the Field:

• 82 GPA
• Beta Club
• VP of World Language Club
• VP of Student Athletics at Mt. Paran

Do you play other sports? If so, anything you’re proud to share?
Basketball. I was ranked #97.

What’s been a top 1-2 softball experience in your career? 
Going undefeated and winning Top Gun Invitational in Kansas. I hit a home run and a walk-off double against the 2026 PGF National Champions!

How did the Tigers coaches first become aware of you?
Coach Stacy talked to the Clemson coaches about me before I went to camp. She told them to keep an eye out for me and then followed up with them after the camp.

How did you first get acquainted with the Clemson softball program? Has it been something you’ve always been around or something relatively new?
On July 13th, I went to a Clemson camp, so the university was fairly new to me.

What did they say they like about your game enough to offer you?
They liked my energy and my versatility.

Where are they talking about playing you, positions-wise?
It depends on where the need me. I am happy to play anywhere: middle infield, a corner, outfield. They recruited me to play the middle.

Finally, is there an incident or story where you saw the coaches showing their love for a player or players that impacted you?
I went to the same high school as Marian Collins (a junior infielder at Clemson currently) and when she comes back, she always talks about how they treat her like she is their daughter, so I think it is really important and good that Clemson shows their love for their players.

When did they offer you a scholarship? 
September 1st.

When and how did you commit? What were the circumstances?
After considering all of my options from September 1st, I prayed for clarity and God made it clear, within two days, so I cancelled my other scheduled official visits and committed over the phone.

What was it about the school/program that made you decide it was the place for you? Did you have an “a ha” moment where it suddenly was obviously the right place for you?
I had my list of variables to consider, and Clemson checked all of my boxes.

What did they say they liked about your game enough to offer you?
My energy and my versatility, along with a big stick.

Who helped you make your softball decision?
My mom, and my travel coach Stacy Tamborra.

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing in next year (2027)?
All of the big ones including Atlanta Legacy, Scenic City, Colorado and PGF Nationals.

Is there anything unusual or different about you that would be fun to share or mention?
I have a black belt in Karate.

What’s something about you off the field that not many know?
I love lemons.

What do you love most about softball?
The relationships that come along the way.

In one word, describe yourself on the field: Energetic.
And off the field: Loud.

— Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com