If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

Jun 22, 2015, 10:29 AM

(Welcome to football down time...)

Obviously Clemson has a stellar QB commit in Zerrick Cooper, and the best RB in the 2016 class in Tavien Feaster (anybody gonna argue that one?) but perhaps we have one slot left at WR. Coherant Tiger fans are in awl of of commits TJ Chase and Cornell Powell but we may take another. Diondre Overton would certainly appear to be that guy given that he's one of Cornell's childhood friend and appears to be down to Clemson and Tennessee. All he did last year was catch 70 passes for 1,200 yards with 11 going for TDs. In addition to his football duties, Overton would certainly be a huge boost for the Tiger basketball team (check out this sick dunk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OHzyz1Wyg ) . However, if Overton isn't the third take at WR for the 2016 class I'd offer another gem in Binjimen Victor.

Attempting to describe Binjimen Victor can be quite troublesome because it can be so easy to watch his film and be overwhelmed. Victor seriously is that good and he's a prospect that continues to improve almost by the week. His efforts at the combines and camps lately are a clear indication that he hasn't reached his ceiling. He goes over the top and continuously makes some ridiculous catches which leave one raising their eyebrows. Here's an old but telling example- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pyaYpVjU4c

The conscious football fan will tell you it starts up front and Clemson appears to be in prime position with some elite talent. For starters, the Tigers should and need to focus and land elite lineman John Simpson. He's from right here in South Carolina and there shouldn't be any reason why we'd allow another school to scoop up such a highly regarded target as Simpson. Rumors are he's big on us and Alabama but he'd look great in Clemson orange. Clemson has recently made the Top 5 for stud OL Parker Boudreaux so you've gotta put the effort into landing him. Boudreaux is capable of playing multiple spots on the line and any team would be fortunate to have him on his roster. EJ Price recently decommitted from UGA and much like Boudreaux he'll be an asset to any team. All things considered I'd still like to take a shot at Bryce Matthews who was on hand for the Clemson versus South Carolina game. Regardless, you won't find a better group than those listed considering Clemson already has a verbal from elite OL Sean Pollard.

On the defensive front, there are so many options for limited scholarships this year. Clearly we'd be fortunate to land perhaps this years best prospect in Rashan Gary. I'm not sure what our chances are but remember that nobody was considering Christian Wilkins to Clemson last season. How elite is Gary? Well, he's nearly 300 pounds and could out run the wind. Have a look- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aQmmTNZvOE Much like Gary, I do not have insight on our chances with DT Dexter Lawrence but he's the real deal as well. He's clearly looking like he'll start as a freshman. Check out his film and tell me he doesn't remind you of Grady https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAhvKbk005Y . I'm running out of adjectives here but I must mention rain maker Nyles Pinckney. He's a South Carolinian who disrupts opposing offenses more than a third down. He'll take your lunch and remind you to go get him some napkins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChOCfQDKlNI

Are we defensive end university? Hard to argue against it. So of course one of this class's hot topic is who will be our next stud DE. If I'm buying stock, I'd probably put it in elite DE Tony Clayton out of Georgia. He camped here and had plenty of great things to say. The Under Armour All-American had 17 sacks last season http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4203101/highlights/248946379/v2 . A few sites have him as a three star prospect but I really believe they should reevaluate that ranking. I won't pretend to have any inside information regarding our chances with Xavier Kelly but I will say he's the real deal. Keep an eye out for six foot six Jordan Smith as well. One thing worth noting though is the X factor regarding this position. Our coaching staff has proven time and time again that they know how to evaluate talent and the results speak for themselves.

Linebacker? Go after Tre Lamar. Go after him with every resource you've got! A class consisting of Rahshaun Smith, Jamie Skalski, and Lamar would be second to none. Tigers, let's make that happen, please. That's all I'm gonna say about that. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2417525/highlights/180159389/v2

Next we'll have a look at defensive back where you'll also note a plethora of talent. Damar Hamlin released a top 10 and we're still in it but I don't know our chances at all and therefore won't speculate. What I can say is he's elite http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2828640/damar-hamlin . Also on the board is Virginia's Robbie Robinson who goes to Boyd's old high school. The knock on him is his size but he's an all-state performer with exceptional skill. Plus, he's got the grades and most of you know I like the guys who also get it done in the classroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S18b8nnlMW0 . Robinson would be a great addition to Clemson's 2016 class because he's also a tremendous special teams player. I know everybody wants to flip Saivion Smith from LSU to Clemson but I don't know if that'll happen. Want the next closest thing, IMO? How about Trayvon Mullen. He's taken camps and combines by storm and his accolades are growing by the week. He also had 6 TDs in 2014, three on kickoff returns and three on punt returns. Here's a great description of Mullen's talent- "Mullen was tested with some of the top wide receivers in Florida and he passed the tests against smaller, quicker receivers and the bigger, longer ones Saturday. He is very long, so his recovery ability is a strength and that length really helps in different ways against receivers of all sizes." Watch this- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8tRVbE_Apw&spfreload=10

Lastly I'll discuss specialists and there's really only one name that comes to mind. Alex Barbir is a guy who just gets it done. The all-state performer recently played in Elite Junior Classic and handled both punting and place kicking duties. He carries a 3.5 GPA and by now you've noted I like the kid with the grades. Here's a great example of some of the high praise Barbir has received, "Their kicker killed us," Northview head coach Chad Davenport said. "I mean, how many times do you say that? He was unbelievable." On that night, he connected on field goals from 56, 52, 40 and 20 yards. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him in orange.

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the IMG 7on7. He really looked impressive from what I saw and I believe he won top honors as well. He recently earned his fifth star and has proven all doubters wrong.

A read on him- Hardman has UGA and Tennessee as his co-leaders, and has a creative strategy to handle his upcoming commitment.

The cornerback from Elbert County High School plans to decide sometime during his senior season and then make a “silent” commitment to the winning school. However, Hardman won’t let the public know until February’s signing day.

“I’ll probably talk to the head coach in particular,” Hardman told the AJC on Monday. “I tell him that I’m committed to him, and they got my commitment — and I’d tell that coach that I would hope he would keep it silent for me.”

Why does Hardman want to do it this way? “You only get to do the recruiting thing once,” he said. “I want enjoy it the best I can. I want to wait until signing day to let everybody know publicly what I’m going to do.”

Silent commitments are actually quite common in football recruiting. However, it’s unusual for a prospect to announce in advance that he’s going to do a silent commitment, and then be able to keep it a secret until signing day. Hardman knows it’s against the odds.

“That’s the big thing that everybody is talking about,” he said. “I don’t know how it will be kept a secret. Hopefully it will stay between the coaches and me. Hopefully they won’t tell their friends and let it get out. My parents will know, and that’s about it.

“I’m sure somebody will find out. I say that, but hopefully they don’t. I hope nobody will spoil it, and it sticks to the plan.”

Hardman said he’s already informed UGA and Tennessee about the idea of a silent commitment. “They (Georgia) said it’s my decision. They said you only get to go through recruiting once, so they’re fine with it. They said if I make a silent commitment to them that they hope that I stick to my word. Tennessee said the same thing. They are cool with the idea, too.”

Hardman is being recruited by Tennessee at receiver, while UGA is scouting him on both offense and defense. What does he see as the biggest differences between the two SEC East schools?

“One is closer, and one is farther away,” he said. “Other than that, there’s not much of a difference. I like both schools a lot. Both of the coaching staffs are great. Tennessee is a chance to get away from home for the college experience, and not be close to home. But that’s probably the only thing. Well, I also think Tennessee has better facilities than Georgia. And if I went to Georgia, I’d be closer to home. I might like that better.”

“I think Tennessee would give me the best chance at starting right away. At Georgia, I feel like I’d have to work a little harder to get in there. But there’s going to be competition wherever you go.”

This past weekend, Hardman earned an invite to The Opening all-star recruiting camp at Nike headquarters in Oregon this summer. He has also been invited to participate in the Rivals 5-star Challenge.

If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

Re: If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

'Kid in a candy shop.'

Re: If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

Hardman wore UGA and Tenn threads yesterday at

He doesn't want to be coming in behind Ray Ray......***

Jordan Smith

Re: Jordan Smith

Re: Jordan Smith

Re: Jordan Smith

Re: If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

"Bry"...you are so football info savy that I want to grow uP being like U!

He has my respect. No sarcasm either***

Appreciate the kind words fellas...

I have no clue what is going on with the cb spot

Re: I have no clue what is going on with the cb spot

I only question the "IF" in your header.***

Great post, super informative, has to be post of the day!

Re: If I'm a Clemson recruiting coordinator

TigerBoard POTD