CLEMSON RECRUITING

Wide Receiver U? It's Clemson, and it's drawing big-name 2016 talent
T.J. Chase committed to the Tigers Saturday

Wide Receiver U? It's Clemson, and it's drawing big-name 2016 talent


by - Staff Writer -

Wide receiver U? It’s not as far-fetched as some might think and it’s drawing big-name talent to the upstate of South Carolina.

Four former Clemson wide receivers made waves in the NFL last season, including two first round draft picks. Sammy Watkins, Nuk Hopkins, Jaron Brown and Martavis Bryant are already making names for themselves on the professional level and it’s easy to see that current Tigers Mike Williams and Artavis Scott could follow those four into the league.

Redshirt freshman Trevion Thompson has drawn rave reviews and will finally suit up for the Tigers this fall. Clemson will also add two 5-star prospects in Deon CainDeon Cain
Wide Receiver
6-2, 200
Tampa, FL

ESPN:
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and Ray-Ray McCloudRay-Ray McCloud
Wide Receiver
5-10, 170
Tampa, FL

ESPN:
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, as well as 4-star Shadell BellShadell Bell
Wide Receiver
6-3, 190
Decatur, GA

ESPN:
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to the fold in 2015, but the success recruiting top wide receivers doesn’t stop there as the Tigers are getting a jump start on the 2016 class.

Clemson got off to a fast start Saturday afternoon, picking up a commitment from 4-star wide receiver T.J. ChaseT.J. Chase
Athlete
6-2, 175
Plant City, FL

ESPN:
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out of Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy and lead for two other 4-star receivers in Greenville (NC) Rose prospect Cornell Powell and two-sport star Diondre OvertonDiondre Overton
Wide Receiver
6-5, 195
Greensboro, NC

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out of Greensboro (NC) Page.

Chase told TigerNet shortly after his commitment Saturday evening that Clemson’s history with wide receivers is one of the reasons he committed to the Tigers.

“Clemson is known as Wide Receiver U and that was big part of my commitment,” Chase said. “Their history with wide receivers along with the family atmosphere and the fact that the Clemson coaches are honest with you and let you know exactly how it’s going to be is the reason I committed to the Tigers.”

Overton is 6-5, 195 and fits into Bryant’s mold and could give Clemson that tall, physical receiver that the Tigers like to use in the redzone. He had 62 catches for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns during his first season of football since 2009.

The basketball and football standout had Clemson as his leader going into the visit and he exited the visit with the same mindset. Why? Because Clemson is Wide Receiver U.

“We [Chase and Powell] all communicated about it,” Overton told TigerNet. “We talked a lot about the Wide Receiver U thing, so we're all trying to come to a decision. I grew up with Cornell when I was in Greenville so I already knew him.”

Powell also has the Tigers in his top group and said that the visit yesterday just enforced Clemson’s place amongst his favorites.

“The best part about the visit was learning about the coaches and the history of Clemson,” Powell told TigerNet. “ The atmosphere, even at a basketball game is crazy. I love their fan base and the fact that Clemson is a dominant football town.”

The 6-1, 190 pound Powell runs a 4.45 40 and he said that the Clemson coaching staff’s message to him was simple.

“Their message has been the same. I’m their guy and they want me there,” Powell said.

With three of the top wide receiver prospects in the country already counting Clemson in their favorites, the Tigers look poised to continue their dominance at the wide receiver position for the present and into the foreseeable future.

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