Thursday Thoughts


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Thursday Thoughts

Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA

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Yesterday we got word on the first of Clemson's juniors who were considering leaving school early and declaring for the NFL draft.   Grady Jarrett announced he would return for his senior campaign.  Jarrett said he had known for some time that he was going to return for his senior season.

Jarrett's return is a key to the success of the 2014 defense.  He eats up so many blocks on the interior, which allows linebackers to make more plays.  Jarrett is disruptive and is coming off of two terrific seasons.  He has been perhaps the most consistent performer on defense over each of the last two seasons.

The news means Clemson should be extremely deep at defensive tackle next season.  Jarrett will team with DJ Reader, DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC

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, Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Jr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE

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, Carlos WatkinsCarlos Watkins
So. Defensive Tackle
#94 6-3, 300
Mooresboro, NC

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, Roderick ByersRoderick Byers
RS So. Defensive End
#55 6-2, 275
Rock Hill, SC

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and Scott PaganoScott Pagano
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#56 6-4, 280
Honolulu, HI

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to give the Tigers one of the deepest groups of defensive tackles in the country.  This should be the deepest unit for the Tigers heading into the 2014 season.

Jarrett is the first of several Tigers who could consider early entry to make a statement.   Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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, Martavis BryantMartavis Bryant
Jr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC

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, Vic BeasleyVic Beasley
RS Jr. Defensive End
#3 6-3, 225
Adairsville, GA

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, Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony
Jr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 235
Polkton, NC

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, Bashaud BreelandBashaud Breeland
RS Jr. Cornerback
#17 6-0, 195
Allendale, SC

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and perhaps others are still considering making the move to the NFL a year early.

As many understand, these players have a lot of factors to consider when making this decision.  Some will base it upon financial needs.  Others will consider where they are academically. One of the unfortunate aspects of this process is the fact that some get bad advice from outside sources.  Some surround themselves with people who paint a uniformed picture for their consideration.  The deadline is the middle of January, but my guess is that we will know most of their decisions by the end of the first week of January.

Raekwon McMillan

Monday is a big day for Clemson's recruiting efforts.  This is the day five star All-American linebacker Raekwon McMillon will make his college choice known.  McMillan will choose between Ohio State, Clemson and Alabama.  This instant impact player will enroll for the spring semester the first of January and take part in spring practice.  McMillan has been a major target for Jeff ScottJeff Scott
Asst. Coach (WR) / Recruiting Coord.
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and Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
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.

The New Littlejohn

I have read a lot recently about the new Littlejohn Coliseum and what the new building will look like.  I have one request.  Can we get rid of the live video during game?  I can see the game live.  I don't need the video board for that.  I think the video board should have running live stats during the game.  The board could play big replays throughout but I think it is a waste during the game action itself.  Stats are much more valuable than live video of what I am already watching on the floor.  The board would be of more use to tell fans stats like who is in foul trouble.  Also, is it possible to get an update on timeouts?

Lance King Funeral

As I wrote earlier this week, it has been a tough week for many of us due to the news of Lance King’s passing last weekend.  Lance was the title sponsor of this blog for a couple of years and was a dear friend.

As I promised, here’s the information about the service for Lance.  It will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at Simpsonville First Baptist in Simpsonville, S.C.  Lance's family has graciously selected the Ryan Harless Foundation and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital Foundation as a charity in lieu of flowers.  The addresses for donations is:

Ryan Harless Foundation

PO Box 781

Clemson, SC 29631

or www.ryanharlessfoundation.com

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital Foundation

One St. Francis Drive

Greenville, SC 29601

Lance was on the board of directors for the Ryan Harless Foundation and a major reason why we are writing four checks next week for donations to Clemson Community Care, Helping Hands of Clemson, Tanner's Totes and The Frazee Dream Center for a total of $20,000.  Lance gave very generously of his money and time to our foundation and I know he would be proud of our impact with our donations to our four charities in this holiday season.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency


Prayer List

We have started a prayer list on the blog.  Here are the guidelines:

If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance.  The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.

If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com

*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.

Those who need our prayers include: Finn Brookover, Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon ThompsonBrandon Thompson
Defensive Tackle (2008 - 2011)
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA

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, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders,  Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack  Cunningham,  Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,

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and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.

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