Clemson gets its seventh commitment for 2011

The Tigers are blowing the doors off of their area rivals in the area of early commitments. Now comes quarterback/athlete Robert Smith (5-11, 190) of Dorchester Woodland High, ranked No.14 on our list of South Carolina’s top 20 juniors.

He is Clemson’s seventh catch for the Class of 2011, while most Carolinas’ schools have none at this point.

The Tigers are expected to use Smith at safety. Clemson offered despite the fact that Smith suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament midway through the season and was sidelined the rest of the way. At that point, he had 1,762 yards of total offense and had accounted for 13 TDs passing and running.

Clemson’s secret here in large part was staying after Smith while he was injured, checking up on him. And the Tigers, who also said he could try out at QB, made him his first official offer.

--Stan Olson

Got recruiting info (visits, offers, commitments)? Pop it to me at solson@charlotteobserver.com.