Wednesday April 02, 2008

Football Recruiting-Defense

Clemson Football Recruiting 2009-The Defense

Defensive End
Lose-0
Return- Kevin Alexander, Da’Quan Bowers, Drew Traylor, Jarrett Crittenden, Rickey Sapp, Kourtnei Brown, Andre Branch, Byron Clear
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-2
Commitments-Malliciah Goodman
Recruiting Notes: Two years ago Clemson lost Travian Robertson to South Carolina and I remember getting e-mails about the staff’s inability to sign defensive ends. Some e-mailers were concerned about the lack of talent and depth at the position and that Robertson was the end all and Clemson had fallen behind at this position. It’s funny but I don’t seem to get those types of e-mails anymore.

The Clemson staff has upgraded the talent level at this position as much as any position in recent years. I think the Tigers have five defensive ends that may have future NFL potential. In fact this group looks a lot like some of the great FSU defenses in their glory years.

Perhaps the best news here is the unit has no seniors on it so this group will considered among the best in the league two consecutive seasons. This does effect recruiting however, because Clemson cannot promise immediate playing time at these positions like some schools can. This positive side of this is the staff can show prospects success at the position and the development of players as defensive ends.

The staff may sign two defensive ends in the class of 2009 and have positioned themselves nicely heading into the spring evaluation period. The early commitment of Malliciah Goodman is a key to the Class of 2009. The Tigers’ staff found a gem here because of Goodman’s ability on and off of the field. On the field he is full of potential due to his long arms and reach. He is a terrific athlete that looks like a future pass rusher. Off of the field he is a high character prospect according to his high school coaches.

With only one more defensive end spot available the staff can afford to be very picky but the top of the board will feature Sam Montgomery of Greenwood, SC. Clemson will be in it with Montgomery until the end and the Tigers are in pretty good shape here but they will have to beat national powers like Southern Cal in the process. Everyone has offered this defensive end so this battle will be a long, difficult one.

Defensive Tackle
Lose-Rashaad Jackson, Dorrell Scott
Return- Jarvis Jenkins, Miguel Chavis, Rennie Moore, Brandon Thompson, Jamie Cumbie, Antwon Murchison
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-2
Commitments-0
Recruiting Notes: Clemson is looking to take two defensive tackles at this point but they will have to replace two good ones in departing seniors Dorell Scott and Rashaad Jackson. The staff has built a nice supply of young defensive linemen so this is not a huge area of need but they would like to continue to stockpile top-level tackles.

There are no real top level defensive tackles in the state at this point in the process so Clemson may have to turn its attention out of state. Two Georgia linemen have already been to Tigertown and the staff has shots at both big-timer players. J.C. Lanier of Twin Cities, GA is a massive defensive tackle that surprised many when he committed early to Georgia Tech but he will still take a good look at Clemson and I think the Tigers are still in this one. Arby Jones of Warner Robbins, GA is another of the south’s top prospects and the Tigers will have to beat powers like Georgia and Auburn for his services.

Linebacker
Lose-Cortney Vincent, Josh Miller
Return-Brandon Maye, Kavell Conner, Tarrick Rollins, Jonathan Willard, Scotty Cooper, Jeremy Campbell, Stanley Hunter, DeAndre McDaniel
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-3
Commitments-0
Recruiting Notes:This may be the biggest area of recruiting needs in the Class of 2009. The staff has to hit a couple of home runs here with players that are ready to come in a play right away.

Tariq Edwards of Marlboro County and Quinn McClendon of Sumter are two of the state’s top linebackers but Clemson has not offered so far in the process.

In Georgia it is a great year for linebackers and Clemson has already offered Eric Fields of Warner Robbins, Jarvis Jones of Columbus and Corico Hawkins of Milledgeville. Fields and Jones have already been to Clemson and the Tigers appear to be in their top two or three at this early stage.

Safety
Lose-Michael Hamlin, Chris Clemens
Return- Rashard Hall, Daniel Andrews, Sadat Chambers, Spencer Adams, Carlton Lewis
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-2
Commitments-0
Recruiting Notes:This is another crucial area in the upcoming recruiting class especially if DeAndre McDaniel dos not play safety or is not as productive here. The Tigers lose two starters and have little experience here. Fortunately, the staff has positioned itself nicely with some of the top safeties in the country.

Craig Loston of Aldine, TX is considered by some as one of the nation’s top prospects at his position. At this time Clemson and LSU are his top two choices. Demario Jeffery of Columbia, SC committed to Clemson early before backing out but I think Clemson will be a factor here in the end. DeVonte Holloman of Charlotte, NC is another of the nation’s best safeties but Clemson has done a nice job here. Holloman likes North Carolina, Georgia and Clemson very early in the process. Stephon Gilmore of Rock Hill, SC is a terrific prospect and should be one of the state’s top five players next year. At this point, I think the Tigers are in good shape with this star.

Cornerbacks
Lose-Haydrian Lewis
Return- Crezdon Butler, Byron Maxwell, Coty Sensabaugh, Chris Chancellor, Marcus Gilchrist, Xavier Brewer
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-2
Commitments-0
Recruiting Notes:The staff has also upgraded the talent here in recent years and lose only one senior after the 2008 season. This is still a priority because the Tigers only signed one corner a year ago.

Terry Shankle of Norwood, NC is the highest profile corner Clemson has a legitimate shot with at this point and he likes what he is hearing from the Tigers. Dre Kirkpatrick is perhaps the nation’s best corner but getting him from Alabama could be almost impossible.

Specialists
Lose-Jimmy Maners, Mark Buchholz
Return-Dawson Zimmerman, Richard Jackson, Spencer Benton, Matt Skinner
Probable Number of Signees in 2009-0
Commitments-0
Recruiting Notes:It would be hard for Clemson to have more than four scholarship specialist. I would be surprised if a kicker or punter is offered unless one of the scholarship players does not pan out.

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