CLEMSON RECRUITING

Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
Rodgers tells TigerNet he will begin recruiting other great players for the Tigers

Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers


by - Staff Writer -

Clemson picked up another valuable piece of the 2017 recruiting class early Sunday afternoon with the addition of 4-star wide receiver Amari Rodgers, but Rodgers might play a pivotal role with the rest of Clemson’s targets for 2017: he plans to start recruiting immediately.

The Knoxville (TN) Catholic product is rated the No. 19 receiver and No. 184 prospect overall by ESPN while Rivals lists Rodgers as the No. 25 wide receiver and No. 180 prospect nationally. Rodgers committed to Clemson at noon Sunday via Periscope, and he told TigerNet shortly after the announcement that Clemson’s family atmosphere won him over.

“Just the family base they have and the family thing they have. They're all together,” Rodgers said. “They always have each other's back. They are always there for the players, and they're a big family. It's a small town, and that's what I like, too, because there aren't that many people, so you know that they're just focused on Clemson. I like that. The coaches are always there for me, too. I talk to Coach (Jeff) Scott almost every day, and we've built such a great relationship.”

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Rodgers chose Clemson over Tennessee, Florida State, Wake Forest and Alabama. Rodgers listed a top five early last week, and missing from the top group was Southern Cal. Rodgers initially committed to USC where his father, former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, is a member of the coaching staff.

However, Rodgers de-committed from Southern Cal after receiving a Clemson offer in early December. He visited Clemson for its junior day in late January with Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins, who announced his de-commitment from Tennessee. Former Vols commit and the nation’s No. 1 QB Hunter Johnson flipped to Clemson back in December.

Rodgers said that Clemson’s academics and graduation rates were a big draw.

“Me and my mom, we looked at that also,” he said. “I'm planning on majoring in communications and they have one of the best programs in that section in the country. I already loved the school, so knowing that they graduate most of their players, which was a big factor, also.”

Co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott – who recruited Rodgers heavily – was another reason he chose Clemson.

“Seeing him (Scott) put Nuk (DeAndre Hopkins) and Sammy (Watkins) in the league and now Charone (Peake) in the league, that was a big factor because he's a great coach,” Rodgers said. “Next year, he's going to put Artavis (Scott) in the league, too. Just him putting great receivers in the league, I looked at that also.”

Next up for Rodgers? Recruiting other great players to join the Tigers’ 2017 recruiting class.

“No doubt. I'm going to get all of the great players that we need and just recruit all of the great players like Tee Higgins - he's one of my best friends, and I'm going to try to get him on board,” Rodgers said. James Robinson, we met on the visit, so I'm going to try to get him on board, too. I'm going to get us all of the great players for us to win a national championship because we need to get that. We're going to get that.

“We are going to have one of the best receiving corps classes. One of the best classes ever. I'm going to get two more great receivers since we only have three spots. Then we're going to get a great running back and some more offensive linemen. I'm going to try to get the best players to fit that spot.”

The Class 4A Mr. Football winner led the area with 1,570 receiving yards and 23 TD receptions, but also returned two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns, had three rushing TDs and returned an interception for a touchdown. Schools won’t stop recruiting Rodgers, but he says he will abide by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s wishes and not take any further visits.

“I'm two-and-a-half hours from Clemson,” he said, “so I'm going to be up there all of the time.”

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Nikki Hood: Email | Comment
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Spencer earns sixth victory as Tigers run-rule Eagles
Spencer earns sixth victory as Tigers run-rule Eagles
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
State
Position
Last Name
Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 22) Author
spacer New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
TigerNet News®
spacer DB's young man. lots of them.***
RoperMtn®
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
HunterClemsonTigers
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
CUPeake19
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
oldschtiger70
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
DUFFER®
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
ICUASATIGER10
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
ddclemson
spacer Awesome!**
Carlsbad
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
CinTiger1
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
oneclemson86®
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
Prowling_28
spacer Great point. I didn't think of it like that.
cornstock
spacer Not true at all. Different positions.
gtriple
spacer Re: New Story: Clemson adds great receiver and recruiter with addition of Rodgers
hopper
spacer It's good to see us starting to have so much success in TN
cornstock
spacer We have taken some talent out VA, too, in
CUAllTheWay
spacer Perfect example of cant judge a book by its cover.
KillaK
spacer Yup. He is far underrated.
gtriple
spacer Re: Yup. He is far underrated.
oldschtiger70
spacer Reminds me of
AFtigers87®
spacer Re: Reminds me of
oldschtiger70