Camp Confidential: Day Five, Session One

Settle is regarded by many as one of the top two defensive tackle prospects in the nation

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Jun 14 11:46:44 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – Saturday dawned bright and sunny, but the stars were out in Clemson.

Day five of Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile ’s high school camp drew in several of the nation’s biggest for the next couple of recruiting cycles, including defensive tackle Tim Settle Tim Settle
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 305
Manassas, VA
ESPN:
View Full Profile of Manassas (VA) Stonewall Jackson. Settle, regarded by many as one of the top two defensive tackle prospects in the nation, made the trip to the camp with current Clemson linebacker commit Chad Smith Chad Smith
Outside Linebacker
6-4, 215
Sterling, VA
ESPN:
View Full Profile and 2015 Fredericksburg (VA) Chancellor OT Matthew Burrell Matthew Burrell
Offensive Tackle
6-5, 305
Woodbridge, VA
ESPN:
View Full Profile .

It didn’t take Settle long to get to going, working in the same group as Clemson commit Gage Cervenka Gage Cervenka
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 280
Greenwood, SC
View Full Profile of Greenwood (SC) Emerald. Both were very impressive during the drills I watched, even though it took Settle a little bit to “settle” in. However, once the two got warmed up – which didn’t take long as the morning warmed up – both showed explosiveness off the ball and attacked the tackling dummy with a passion.

Cervenka is quicker than I would have thought, and Dan BrooksDan Brooks
Assistant Coach / Defensive Line
View Full Profile Dan Brooks
Assistant Coach / Defensive Line
View Full Profile praised how low he was able to get coming out of a 3-point stance. Settle is big – 6-3, 325 – and he worked with Brooks and current players D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-2, 335
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile and Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS Sr. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE
View Full Profile . He drew oohs and aahs from the crowd with one athletic feat that’s hard for smaller players to pull off – he was on the ground on his back, threw his knees and feet in the air and then jumped to his feet without ever using his hands. I’ve seen gymnasts do it, but never a 325-pound man.

* Brent VenablesBrent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile Brent Venables
Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
View Full Profile had another impressive group of linebackers, including Smith. It was my first time seeing Smith in action, and he didn’t disappoint while working in a group with 2016 prospect Josh BrownJosh Brown
Defensive Tackle
# 6-5, 290
Aiken, SC
View Full Profile . Venables put Smith and Brown next to each other in line, and it was obvious they were trying to outwork each other. Brown is long and lanky, Smith is tall but solid. Both are extremely good athletes, and Smith shows good ball skills and coverage skills.

Venables brought current linebacker Tony StewardTony Steward
Sr. Linebacker
#7 6-0, 235
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile over to the group, introduced him as a former 5-star and High School Butkus Award winner and told the group, “this is what you want to be.” He then had Steward run through a couple of drills, and for the record Steward looks fantastic.

Another linebacker that is drawing attention from Venables is Summerville’s Kawaun Cox. The rising senior doesn’t have many offers and has no stars, yet the 6-1, 220-pounder has consistently outworked many of the higher-rated players there. He plays defensive end at Summerville, and his coach told me that Illinois and Wake Forest are beginning to show interest. Last night, Venables told the coach that he was going to back up and watch film and highlights of Cox and they would talk before the two left camp. Last year, we told you about Blythewood linebacker Jalen WilliamsJalen Williams
Fr. Linebacker
# 6-0, 215
Blythewood, SC
View Full Profile , another under-the-radar guy who Venables liked, and Williams will be on Clemson’s campus in a few weeks. Could Cox be another that gets a preferred walk-on or grayshirt offer?

*Former Clemson linebacker Stanley HunterStanley Hunter
Linebacker
# 6-0, 205
Duncan, SC
View Full Profile brought 2016 running back Tavien Feaster Tavien Feaster
Running Back
6-0, 180
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile of Spartanburg (SC) to the morning session, and Feaster spent time working with Tony ElliottTony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
View Full Profile Tony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
View Full Profile ’s group. Feaster looked good during the running back drills, but really popped when they worked with the quarterbacks on routes coming out of the backfield. His speed? As good as advertised, and he has good hands and cutting ability. The 5-11, 192-pounder has offers from all of the big names, and his workout didn’t disappoint.

Tavien Feaster

*Burrell didn’t work out, and told one bystander he didn’t bring any shoes. Instead, he walked around the facility and saw a few of the drills. At almost 6-6 and 290 pounds, he was easy to spot as he walked through the groups.

Another interested bystander was 2016 DT prospect Austin Bryant Austin Bryant
Defensive End
6-5, 245
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile out of Thomasville (GA).

*Finally got a chance to settle in and watch 2015 quarterback commit Tucker Israel Tucker Israel
Quarterback
6-0, 195
Orlando, FL
ESPN:
View Full Profile last night. Israel had a good session – at least while I was watching – and it was easy to see that is extremely coachable. He soaks up everything Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile has to say, and he simply looks like the football version of a gym rat. I was surprised at his footwork and arm strength, and it’s easy to see why his ratings have climbed as he’s gotten more and more exposure.

*From the “OMG” department, current receiver Kyrin PriesterKyrin Priester
Fr. Wide Receiver
#17 6-2, 190
Lilburn, GA
View Full Profile has been run to death while working with the receiving coaches, but dude is a beast. He looks like Nuk Hopkins did after year two. He will definitely be one to watch during fall camp.