Four-star linebacker on Clemson: "That's the school I want to go to"

Echols works out in front of defensive coordinator Brent Venables

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Jun 24 08:01:02 GMT-04:00 2019

One of the nation’s top linebackers for the 2021 recruiting cycle has Clemson at the top of his list after a visit to Dabo Swinney’s high school camp.

Power Echols is a 4-star inside linebacker prospect out of Charlotte (NC) Vance. Echols’ father, Brian, played defensive back at Michigan St. in the mid-’90s.

Echols made the trip to Clemson for Swinney’s camp and worked out for defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

“Oh, it was a blessing. You know, I really enjoyed my time there,” Echols told TigerNet. I was able to get a handle on what he (Venables) had to say and what he teaches those guys and what he taught us while we were down there. I was able to learn a lot. Just little things that can help my game. I really appreciate it.”

Venables’ message to Echols was simple.

“He told me to just keep doing what I'm doing and stay focused at school,” Echols said. “That's not really a problem for, to stay focused. But he told me to stay on top of my grades and just keep getting better and increasing my skill level and just be who I am. And he told me to stay true to myself.”

Venables sees Echols fitting in at the strongside linebacker (SAM) spot.

“That's where he is recruiting me and that's where he thinks I fit best,” Echols said. “He thinks I can be a leader at that spot.”

Echols boasts an offer list that includes UNC, N.C. State, Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan State, and others. What was it like to get the offer from Venables?

“I stopped what I was doing and just pointed my finger to the sky to thank God,” Echols. “I’ve been working a long time for this, and it means something extra special to get that Clemson offer. It’s a blessing to me. I thank God and thank him and my mom. I’ve been working for this since I got to high school. “

With his main recruiting stop in the books, Echols wants to spend the rest of his summer getting ready for his junior season of high school.

“I am going to be training with my dad in Arizona then for a few weeks,” Echols said. “And then I am going back to Charlotte to be with my team and getting ready for the football season to start so we can go back to the state championship.”

Where does Clemson stand right now?

“They're number one right now. I mean that's the school I want to go to,” Echols said. “That’s also the school I am pretty sure I am going to for my college career. It’s the way I feel when I am with the people. It’s a family feel and they can’t fake that.”

When does he hope to make a decision?

“I’ve never done this before, so I was like, how do you commit? Because I’ve never really done it,” Echols said. “I was talking to my dad about it and he said if this is the place you want to go, then you can make a decision any time. So, I am just waiting right now.”