Tuesday May 13, 2008

Our Neighbors to the North

Our Neighbors to the North
Clemson emerged on the national college football scene in the late 1970s partly because of recruiting in the state of North Carolina in the mid-1970s.

When Danny Ford ruled the ACC in the 1980s, one of the main reasons was his dominance in the state of North Carolina.

Jeff and Joe Bostic, John and Hank Phillips, Jeff Davis, Perry Tuttle, Tracey Johnson, James Lott and Donnell Woolford. Some of the most important players in Tiger history came to Clemson from the state of North Carolina.

The state is important for several reasons. First is the obvious idea that you want to get the best players you can and many come from our neighboring states. The population is North Carolina is almost double what it is here in our state so there is a bigger base to draw from.

I always thought it was a little easier to get players from North Carolina because of the competition. In Georgia and Florida you have to fight some football powers within their borders. In North Carolina you have four basketball schools. The Tar Heels have had some great teams, NC State seems to care about football and I know all about Jim Grobe's success at Wake Forest. However, those schools draw less than 50,000 for home games and play in smaller venues. Football is big at Carter-Finley Stadium and Keenan but it is not Sanford Stadium or the Swamp. Clemson should be able to offer an alternative for kids in the state of North Carolina because of the history and support.

Geography works in Clemson's favor often times here. For some players Clemson is the closest option. When Devonte Holloman committed to Clemson yesterday he mentioned how close it was for his family. Charlotte is about two hours or so from Clemson. The Tigers staff is recruiting Gastonia hard this year and it is even closer.

The other idea that is play once again is the fact that Clemson gives some of these kids an impressive option again. For a few years if a kid wanted to leave the state he would go to Tennessee or even Georgia. Virginia Tech has been a recent player in the state. But in the 1970s and 1980s Clemson was the best option. When Coach Ford showed up at the Shrine Bowl he commanded attention and the players knew of his program and its dominance. It appears to these eyes at least, that Clemson has become a big option for players from North Carolina once again.

It has been a slow rebuilding process in the state. Marion Hobby started it out and Billy Napier and Chris Rumph have continued the momentum. Crezdon Butler will be a junior this season and is a returning starter for the Tigers. Butler was one of the first to look South. The following year Clemson got a steal in Chris Hairston who is slated to start at right tackle. The following year Landon Walker, Miguel Chavis and Kourtnei Brown increased the total of Tigers from the state. Last year Clemson got two of the top five players in the state with Spencer Adams and Dwayne Allen. This year Clemson already has commitments from Larry Raper, Tyler Shatley and now Holloman. This staff has made North Carolina a priority and it has shown more and more each year. Next season at least ten players on the Clemson roster will be from the state of North Carolina.

Here is a list of Rivals.com's top players from the state of North Carolina for the Class of 2009:
Donte Moss DE 6-4, 235 of Jacksonville, NC-Nation's 11th rated player who is a terror as a pass rusher. He has already committed to the Tar Heels.

Xavier Nixon OL 6-6, 275 Fayetteville, NC-Rivals' number 27th player on the country that has offers from everyone that recruits the state. He has not narrowed his list yet but Clemson should be in his top five and should receive an official visit. He has already been to Clemson on unofficial visits.

Jheranie Boyd WR 6-2, 185 Gastonia, NC-The nation's 60th rated player. This is a burner with good size. This track star has offers from everyone that recruits the area and will be a nation recruit but Clemson may lead here.

DeVonte Holloman DB 6-2, 213 Charlotte, NC-A huge safety that announced his Clemson commitment Monday.

Desmond Scott RB 5-9, 175 Durham, NC-He is ranked 104th by rivals.com. This speedster was first offered by Clemson at their camp after his sophomore season. Scott has not narrowed his list but Clemson should be in the mix here.

Terry Shankle DB 5-10, 168 Norwood, NC-Shankle is ranked 155th by Rivals. He is a cover corner that has offers from several national powers. He has already been to Clemson and the Tigers are in his top five at this early point.

Jared McAdoo DL 6-3, 285 Chapel Hill, NC-Ranked 169th. McAdoo is the top defensive tackle in the state and he has decided to stay at home and has committed to North Carolina.

Hawatha Bell LB 6-1, 225 Matthews, NC-Bell is ranked 240th by Rivals and he has some big offers but Clemson has not offered.

Tyler Shatley TE 6-3, 255 Connellys, NC-Shatley is not currently ranked in the top 250 in the nation but he did commit to Clemson over NC State. He also had offers from North Carolina, Maryland and Wake Forest.

Larry Raper ATH 5-10, 170 Shelby, NC-This burner committed to Clemson in September of last season. He camped at Clemson and earned an offer then. Rivals.com has him as a four star player.

Quan Rucker WR 6-0,185 Statesville, NC-Clemson's only other offer in the state of North Carolina. Clemson and Wake Forest are in good shape here.