Recruiting QBs; Wilkins; OL; Tee and Ross

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Dec 11 09:51:48 GMT-04:00 2018

Email Bag

In this format, we will publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Mickey,

I always enjoy your recruiting coverage and have a bunch of questions for you. In order to let you dive more in-depth with my questions I hope I can stagger some over the next couple of weeks. My first one is, tell me about the quarterback class for 2020. I hear a lot about the superstar from California. Will we sign him and if so, will we sign more than one quarterback in 2020? Thanks.

Herb

Herb,

D.J. Uiagalelei is the nation’s number one player in the class of 2020. He is from Bellflower, CA. Coaches love his size (6-5, 235) and his arm. He is also a terrific athlete who could play college baseball as well.

At this point, I am not sure if the Tigers will want to sign two quarterbacks. What I do know is they have gone “All In” with Uiagalelei. They have been to see him twice this month. He has been to Clemson twice as well. Oregon is the biggest competition, but I think Clemson leads. LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn, and others will pursue, but my guess is Clemson wraps him up fairly soon.

As far as numbers go, it will be hard to sign another great quarterback in this class if Uiagalelei commits. I would doubt they would sign a backup option.

Hope this helps. Looking forward to more of your recruiting questions.

Hi Mickey,

I really enjoy listening to your show while representing Clemson in Columbia. I had a few comments and questions.

1) I am old enough to be Christian Wilkins' father, but I was wondering if he would be willing to be my mentor? I'm too old for football, but I feel sure he could teach me something about dancing! Seriously, what an incredible role model for a young (and old) person to have. He is going to be greatly missed not only for his football play but for his entertainment value as well. What a great ambassador for the University.

2) I had a weak moment last Saturday and watched about 5 minutes of USC-Akron. They were speaking about the new football operations center, and how George Rogers' Heisman would be displayed there. What else would they display? Either they have a very small trophy case, or else they build a large one and fill it with finger-paintings.

3) What do you think of the idea of creating divisions within 1-A football? They do this - or at least used to - in high school, with a 4A Division I and Division II. There could be a separate playoff for both divisions. Of course, conferences would have to realign, so most assuredly Duke, Wake, and Vandy would be in the same Division and conference. Either that, or go to 6 teams in the playoff and the top 2 seeds get a bye.

Thanks for your time!

Columbia Tiger

Columbia Tiger,

Thanks for the email.

I am not sure I have seen any player have as much influence on this program on and off of the field as Wilkins. What a truly unique character. Clemson has been blessed to have him. He will leave behind a great legacy.

I have not seen the new plans, but they have some catching up to do.

I think we will see changes to the playoff in the next ten years or so. I am not sure what if it will be six or eight teams, but I know they won’t turn away the extra revenue created by more games. Also, we have to keep everyone engaged. The PAC-12 and Big-10 are out this year. Why should they care about the playoff? We need all conferences to participate.

Eventually, I think the Power Five break away and form their own league, but that might be 20 years away.

Mickey,

With Clay Webb is not going to Clemson, is it possible that we could have an offensive line as bad as this year's FSU in our future? Is it fair to say that we struggle more recruiting offensive lineman than any other position? We have three commitments on the offensive line for the 2020 class, but how much will it hurt in the future that we have missed on most of our targets this year?-David

David,

It is fair to say the offensive line recruiting does not match the rest of the roster, but is it fair to assume the offensive line will struggle? There are several factors here. First, they like the players they have signed. Carman, Bockhorst, Vinson, McFadden, etc. Second, they like Rayburn in this class and feel they have a good shot at Putnam, who they really like. Third, this was an awful year in the state and surrounding states for OL. The staff did not like many of the higher rated players, and the pool is smaller. Fourth, I would expect a defensive lineman or two to move over to the offensive line eventually like Cervenka and Shatley did. And as you mentioned, they love the 2020 class of OL. Finally, Clemson has not recruited all that great on the offensive line in the past years, but Caldwell has developed players, and the offense keeps breaking records.

I don't think that we have seen Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross line up on opposite sides of the field yet. Could Dabo / Tony / Jeff be holding this combination back for a Championship game?

Go Tigers,

John

John,

They played the same position early in the season. It as the season progressed we saw more of those two guys on the field at the same time. I think we will continue to see more of it in the playoffs and next season. That puts a lot of pressure on defensive backs and defensive coordinators.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

src="https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/ads/plyler/allstate_logo.gif" border=0>

border=0>

Prayer List

The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list.

Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family,Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert Smith, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Derk Denton, Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley, Riley Cook, Eileen Thomas, Larry Nimmons and Family, Annie Gregory, Amy Black, Will Black, Sam Smith, Dixon Family, Joe Lazorik, Mark Smith, Rene' Nelson, R. Bruce Harnage, Norris Brown and family, Tanner Cain, Avery Cain, Ted Wilson, Sandra Wilson, Leoffels family, Wren Jansen, Gail Culbreth, Jody Sinex, Donald Sikes, Carolyn and Richard Helderman, Jimmy Hutto, Christina M. Facen, John Harrison, Mike Vigdor, Oscar Pullen, John McMahan, Karen Louthian, Samantha Molnar, Lenue Hayes and family, Lamont Johnson and family, Karen Vague, Dwight Clark, Karen Lake, Laura Lake, Blake Holiday and family, Jerrold Collins, Jennifer B. Adkins, Mark Nizolek, Mark Forbes, Lorrie Ahern, Mary Alice Proctor, Elaine Byers, Bob Couch, Mark H, Adam Huckabee, Rich Sizemore, Rusty Wagstaff, Don Testerman, Charlie Jenkins, Jerry Pace,Ken Helms, The Morton Family, Kensington Martin, Mike Magee, Sue Lee, Betty Childers, Roger Kennedy, Robert and Morgan Jenny and their baby girl, James and Carolyn Black, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.