Tigers and Dawgs battle for Georgia's top recruits |
CLEMSON – The final score of Saturday night’s opener between Clemson and Georgia might have national title implications and bragging rights for the two schools, but it might also have recruiting implications.
During the 2012 recruiting cycle, the Tigers were shut out of the state of Georgia, and Clemson head coach
Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney It did, as the Tigers picked up five commitments from the Peach State in 2013, and have five commitments from the state this recruiting cycle. Several of the state’s top players will be on hand Saturday night, and head coach Dabo Swinney was asked Wednesday if the final score affects recruiting when two schools are vying for a particular player. “I’ve been a part of big wins against a team you’re recruiting against and you still don’t get the guy,” Swinney said after Wednesday’s practice. “You thought it might matter. Then, I’ve been on the other side of it where you get beat by them. You think it might hurt you, but it doesn’t.” However, he did say that Clemson recruits Georgia just like it recruits the state of South Carolina. “It’s important,” Swinney said of recruiting Georgia. “Georgia is about 20 miles from here. We recruit Georgia like it’s in-state.” Swinney then said that Saturday provides all of the recruits – no matter what state they hail from – the chance to see Clemson at its finest. “At the end of the day, it’s just a huge game where you have an opportunity to get so many people on your campus, have GameDay and all that to showcase Clemson,” Swinney said. “I think that’s a big thing. At the end of the day, with guys making decisions, it’s about the program. It’s about what they feel like the best fit for them is. It’s not necessarily about one particular game.” Committed prospects from Georgia that will be at the game include
Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Some of the best of the 2015 cycle will also be on hand, including OT
Mitch Hyatt Mitch Hyatt Other 2014 Clemson commits WR
Artavis Scott Artavis Scott RB
C.J. Fuller C.J. Fuller K
Alex Spence Alex Spence LB
Kendall Joseph Kendall Joseph TE
Cannon Smith Cannon Smith OL
Taylor Hearn Taylor Hearn RB
Jae'lon Oglesby Jae'lon Oglesby Other 2014 visitors WR
Trevion Thompson Trevion Thompson OG Donell Stanley, Latta (SC) Latta OL
David Sharpe David Sharpe ATH
Jefferie Gibson Jefferie Gibson LB
Jalen Williams Jalen Williams 2015 Clemson commitments LB
J.D. Davis J.D. Davis LB
Judah Davis Judah Davis Other 2015 visitors RB
Reggie Gallaspy Reggie Gallaspy RB
Bryce Love Bryce Love QB
Anthony Ratliff Anthony Ratliff DB J.K. Britt, Newnan (GA) Newnan QB
Kelly Bryant Kelly Bryant LB Johnathan Sutton, Swansea (SC) Swansea ATH Van Smith, Charlotte (NC) West Mecklenburg QB
Lorenzo Nunez Lorenzo Nunez DE
Darian Roseboro Darian Roseboro LB
Tanner Muse Tanner Muse OL
Mason Veal Mason Veal ATH Nyheim Hines, Garner (NC) Garner DB
Kaleb Chalmers Kaleb Chalmers DB
Mark Fields Mark Fields RB
Taj Griffin Taj Griffin OL
Chuma Edoga Chuma Edoga TE
Garrett Williams Garrett Williams TE
Harrison Moon Harrison Moon
Head Coach
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vowed that would change.
Quarterback
6-3, 190
Gainesville, GA
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,
Korie Rogers Korie Rogers
Outside Linebacker
6-2, 200
Buford, GA
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,
Demarre Kitt Demarre Kitt
Wide Receiver
6-1, 195
Tyrone, GA
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,
Adam Choice Adam Choice
Running Back
5-9, 190
Thomasville, GA
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and
Milan Richard Milan Richard
Tight End
6-5, 230
Savannah, GA
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. Some of the top non-committed Peach State prospects include
Raekwon McMillan Raekwon McMillan
Linebacker
6-3, 235
Hinesville, GA
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,
D.J. Smith D.J. Smith
Cornerback
6-0, 180
Marietta, GA
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and
Andrew Williams Andrew Williams
Defensive End
6-4, 240
McDonough, GA
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.
Offensive Tackle
6-6, 270
Suwannee, GA
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, DT
Tim Settle Tim Settle
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 305
Manassas, VA
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and OLB
Ricky Deberry Ricky Deberry
Linebacker
6-2, 235
Richmond, VA
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.
Wide Receiver
5-11, 180
Tarpon Springs, FL
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, Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake
Running Back
5-10, 200
Easley, SC
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, Easley (SC) Easley
Kicker
6-2, 190
Florence, SC
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, Florence (SC) West Florence
Linebacker
6-1, 230
Belton, SC
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, Belton (SC) B-HP
Tight End
6-5, 235
Columbia, SC
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, Columbia (SC) Hammond School
Offensive Line
6-5, 305
Williston, SC
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, Williston (SC) Williston Elko
Running Back
5-11, 175
Central, SC
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, Central (SC) Daniel
Wide Receiver
6-2, 170
Durham, NC
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, Durham (NC) Hillside
Offensive Tackle
6-8, 290
Jacksonville, FL
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, Jacksonville (FL) Providence School
6-4, 185
Hope Mills, NC
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, Hope Mills (NC) Grays Creek
Athlete
6-0, 215
Blythewood, SC
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, Blythewood (SC) Blythewood
Linebacker
6-2, 215
Central, SC
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, Clemson (SC) Daniel
Linebacker
6-2, 215
Central, SC
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, Clemson (SC) Daniel
Running Back
5-11, 205
Greensboro, NC
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, Greensboro (NC) Southern Guilford
Running Back
5-9, 180
Wake Forest, NC
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, Wake Forest (NC) Wake Forest-Rolesville
Quarterback
6-1, 190
Matthews, NC
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, Matthews (NC) Butler
Wide Receiver
6-4, 200
Abbeville, SC
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, Piedmont (SC) Wren
Quarterback
6-2, 180
Kennesaw, GA
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, Kennesaw (GA) Harrison
Defensive End
6-4, 265
Lincolnton, NC
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, Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton
Safety
6-4, 205
Belmont, NC
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, Belmont (NC) South Point
Offensive Tackle
6-6, 290
Charlotte, NC
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, Charlotte (NC) Ardrey Kell
Cornerback
5-11, 170
Greenwood, SC
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, Greenwood (SC) Greenwood
Cornerback
5-9, 170
Charlotte,
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, Charlotte (NC) Hough
Running Back
5-10, 175
Powder Springs, GA
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, Powder Springs (GA) McEachern
Offensive Tackle
6-4, 275
Powder Springs, GA
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, Powder Springs (GA) McEachern
Tight End
6-4, 215
Orlando, FL
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, Orlando (FL) First Academy
Tight End
6-5, 240
Chattanooga, TN
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, Chattanooga (TN) Signal Mountain
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