"Primetime" has Clemson in top four

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Jun 01 10:33:42 GMT-04:00 2012

Adrian Baker Adrian Baker

6-1, 170
Hollywood, FL
View Full Profile feels like he has to practice against the best if he wants to be the best.

With that in mind, the 2013 defensive back out of Hollywood (FL) Chaminade Madonna says that Clemson is in his top four.

“That is something that I thinking about every day,” Baker told TigerNet this week. “I want to get pushed every day to get better. Every time out there, I want to get better. And if you go to a place like Clemson, with all of those great receivers, you will get pushed every day.”

The 6-1, 170-pounder claims over 30 offers, including one from Clemson after a visit from defensive coordinator Brent Venables last week. Other schools such as Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, Auburn, Penn State, Louisville, North Carolina State, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Central Florida have also offered.

Despite being in south Florida, the speedster [he runs a 4.3 40] told TigerNet he has watched Clemson’s faster players for quite a while.

“I have watched them since they had guys like Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller,” he said. “And now they have Sammy Watkins, and I watched a lot of him last year. I am very familiar with them, and I love watching their style of offense. They are a great program.”

Baker said another plus for Clemson has been Venables.

“He is a very nice guy, very straightforward,” he said. “But you can tell he is very intense. But you can tell that overall, he is a great person and a great coach. It would be great to be able to play for him.”

Baker has made trips to Miami, Florida and Florida State, and he is planning to revisit all three schools this summer. He is also planning a Clemson visit, and then wants to make his decision by July 1st.

“I am going to go to some camps and visit some places, and by that time I will have a decision,” he said. “Once I make that decision, I can just focus on my senior season and get all of this out of the way.”

And who are his top four?

“Right now, it’s FSU, Clemson Oklahoma and Ohio St.,” he said.

As a junior, Baker recorded 22 tackles and four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also returned a punt for a score

He said that he likes to use his speed and jumping ability to make plays.

“I just like to match up against a team’s best receiver and make plays,” he said. “I like to make plays on the ball in the air, and then make a difference in the return game.”