Can Clemson hold onto Georgia's top recruits this year? C&P

Jun 10, 2013, 7:38 AM

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/college-recruiting/2013/jun/06/can-clemson-hold-georgia-recruits-year/'

"In the wacky world of recruiting, it’s not how you start but how you finish.

This year, nobody has started out hotter on the recruiting trail in talent-rich Georgia than Clemson.
The ACC powerhouse has five early Georgia commitments, including four out of the state’s top eight prospects, according to Rivals.com.

Last year, Clemson got off to a similar sizzling start, including an early commitment from Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s consensus No. 1 prospect. However, the Tigers fizzled down the stretch, helplessly watching four Georgia commitments flip to SEC schools.

Clemson is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year. Recently, the Tigers got a scare when the crown jewel of their 2014 class, franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson of Gainesville High School, took a secret visit to Auburn. He calmed some fears by repeatedly stating that he’s committed to Clemson but the Tigers won’t breathe easy until February’s signing day.

Watson is part of a spectacular early haul for Clemson, which also includes Herschel Walker’s nephew (Savannah’s Milan Richard), Buford linebacker Korie Rogers and Sandy Creek wide receiver Demarre Kitt (who was formerly committed to UGA).

Clemson has earned a lot of early praise from the recruiting experts:

Rivals.com’s Mike Farrell: “I just think they are very aggressive. Clemson has a lot of sell. They are always one of the top recruiting programs in the country … It’s a long ways until signing day, and we’re going to see if they can hold onto these guys. But right now, they’ve just been more aggressive.”

Scout.com’s Chad Simmons: “It goes back to what I’ve seen in the industry over the years, them being consistent. Clemson can recruit. That whole staff is on the social media. They call and email when they can. To me, those guys never sleep. That’s part of the game you’ve got to do. You can’t let there be days or weeks that go by when you’re not in touch some way with that guy that you really want. Clemson also does a great job of getting the kids on campus, having that one-on-one time, and selling the program. I think Dabo (Swinney) is a great guy and very approachable, and whole staff is good people.”

247sports.com’s Gerry Hamilton: “When you get the trigger man like Deshaun -- a big name, a guy who is known in Atlanta and across by every kid, I think that has absolutely helped Clemson build some of this hot-start momentum. I know there has been a lot made of him visiting Auburn. But that guy has been helping get other kids to Clemson. I think it starts with the trigger man in Deshaun Watson. Clemson is using him and his name to help with recruiting in this class, even if he doesn’t really say anything.”

These days, colleges have two different aspects of recruiting an elite talent: The first part is landing a commitment, and the second one is keeping it.
Last year, Clemson took some body blows in Georgia with kids flipping: Nkemdiche and teammate David Kamara to Ole Miss, Peach County wide receiver Demarcus Robinson to Florida, and Lassiter wide receiver Ryan Jenkins to Tennessee.

“Obviously, Nkemdiche was steered by his mom – there was nothing Clemson could do about that,” Farrell said. “With Demarcus, Clemson lost that one because he simply couldn’t make up his mind. Ryan Jenkins, I don’t know if they were crying about that one.”

What does Clemson have to do to avoid a repeat of last year’s finish in Georgia?

Rivals.com’s Mike Farrell: “I don’t know. It’s going to be tough. In recruiting, everybody is still going to come after these guys. The SEC, that whole area of the country, it’s a crap shoot. There’s no way to predict. I can’t tell you if Deshaun Watson is going to end up somewhere else. I don’t know if there’s anything Clemson can do other than win on the football field to keep him loyal. And he’s not the only example. If I knew the answer to these questions, I would be a genius. In a nutshell, I think Clemson just needs to recruit these kids as if they’re not committed, and win football games period. Winning is always big.”

Scout.com’s Chad Simmons: “It’s hard. It’s cut-throat in this business, especially when you’re in the South.

Schools are not going to stop recruiting a kid because he’s committed to another school. There’s nothing you can do to keep other schools away. You’ve got to stick with what you’re doing now. You’ve got to have a good season because winning always helps. I think you’ve got keep recruiting, hope for no turnover in the staff after the season, and hold on until signing day."

247sports.com’s Gerry Hamilton: “I think last year was just really brutal and unfortunate. I think a huge key for Clemson, they’ve got to have a good season on the field. They’ve got to keep fighting people off for Deshaun Watson. I think everybody expects Clemson to have a good season. They have a shot right out of the gate to have a great season. But I think keeping Watson, when Auburn and Ohio State are coming in on him, keeping him in the fold through the summer will help with building on that early momentum. There’s always going to be defections because that’s how recruiting works these days. But if they can keep that trigger man, I think they have a great chance to close better in 2014.”

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Can Clemson hold onto Georgia's top recruits this year? C&P

Probably Germans, but i hadn't seen it.***

Although we've seen it, it's good to see it posted again.

Yes, and we're working on next year. GO TIGERS!***

"ACC powerhouse" has a nice ring to it.***

Re: Can't trust the boys from GA if offered under the table***

TigerBoard POTD