Clemson offer changes things for Alabama lineman

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sun Feb 22 08:01:03 GMT-04:00 2015

Tyler Pritchett Tyler Pritchett
Offensive Guard
6-3, 280
Auburn, AL
View Full Profile ’s offer sheet continues to grow, and the Clemson Tigers added their name to the list last week.

The 3-star offensive lineman (6-2 288) out of Auburn (AL) picked up the offer during a phone conversation with offensive line coach Robbie CaldwellRobbie Caldwell
Assistant Coach / Offensive Line
View Full Profile , who is also the area recruiter.

Some of Pritchett’s other offers are Mississippi State, Kentucky, Louisville, Arizona, Missouri, North Carolina, Cincinnati and Indiana and Pritchett told TigerNet he was thankful for the attention.

“It's a great feeling,” Pritchett said. “It's validating to feel that you're hard work is finally paying off and I just thank God for it.”

Pritchett said that he is already developing a strong relationship with Clemson coaches Marion HobbyMarion Hobby
Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Ends
View Full Profile and Caldwell.

“The Clemson coach that I have the best relationship with is Coach Hobby. We have a pretty decent relationship,” he said. “Coach Caldwell and I have a really good relationship. He messages me on Twitter every day and checks on me. We have a really good relationship. He (Caldwell) is a great person outside of football. My coaches tell me stories about Coach Caldwell and about some of the things he's said or done at conventions or when they've been out to eat. He's a really genuine person and he's going to be honest with you. If you're one of his, he's going to take care of you.”

Pritchett hasn’t been on Clemson’s campus since visiting during head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile ’s high school camp last summer, but said he hopes to make another visit soon.

“I was there last summer for camp. The stadium is great,” he said. “There's nothing better than running down that hill. The stadium is a great thing. I didn't get the opportunity to really inspect the weight room and stuff like that because we were only up there for a one day camp. It's was really good and I had a good trip. I'm not sure when I will get back up to Clemson but I will. Coach Caldwell has been recruiting me for a minute so hopefully I'll get up there sometime.”

Pritchett recently released a top five of South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisville, Missouri and Indiana and said he was close to making a decision. However, the Clemson offer changed his thinking and he said he now considers his recruitment to be wide open.

“I had that top five but now I've kind of let it go and my recruitment is back open,” Pritchett said. “Right now, me and my family have to do some evaluating and see what's really going on at different schools and what could potentially be happening. It's a wait and see game and we're just going to wait it out and see what happens.”

Pritchett said that he hopes to play center at the next level.

“In terms of college coaches, they tell me that because of my athleticism they want me to play center but they look at it and say that my athleticism is going to be key to playing that position because there aren't too many really athletic centers out there,” he said, “My versatility to play a lot of positions and my athleticism is going to help me out a lot.”

So what is he looking for in a school?

“I want to make sure that the education means something outside of the state that they're in," Pritchett said. “Second, playing time - what they want me to play and I don't want to walk into a situation where they're five deep at the position they're telling me they're putting me at and none of those guys are going to be juniors. Finally, does my family have the opportunity to come see me play? That is what I am looking for.”