Clemson’s Tigers working ahead in recruiting

It’s becoming pretty obvious that coach Dabo Swinney’s Clemson staff is adept at closing the deal early with recruiting targets.

The recent additions of Mainland High standouts Marlin Lane and Cortez Davis give the Tigers four committed juniors, an impressive number when you consider that signing day for this year’s seniors is still more than three months away (Feb. 3).

By comparison, South Carolina, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest have no junior commitments at all.

And Clemson’s early commits are impressive, to say the least. Lane, a running back, was already being recruited by just about everyone when he picked the Tigers. And Davis, who is a 6-5 free safety and skilled enough to play any number of positions, was also considering Florida, Florida St., Oregon and Southern Cal.

Also already in the house are DT DeShaun Williams of Daniel (S.C.) Central High and safety Brandon Ellerbe of Wadesboro Anson High.

Williams committed so quickly that no one else had a chance to offer, but he had been hearing from schools like Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Clemson was also Ellerbe’s first offer, although schools like South Carolina, Notre Dame, Virginia and Stanford were recruiting him at the time.

It shows us that Swinney’s staff is putting a premium on finding talent early and securing it first—and so far it appears to be working.

--Stan Olson

Got recruiting news? Pop it to me at solson@charlotteobserver.com