Clemson Looks For Quarterbacks in Class of 2006

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Feb 22 12:02:43 GMT-04:00 2005

In February of 2004 Clemson inked two highly touted quarterbacks in Tribble Reese and Cullen Harper. The staff felt so good about both prospects that they did not recruit any quarterbacks in the class of 2005. It is unheard of to not sign a quarterback in two consecutive classes so the staff is currently evaluating film on signal callers for the Class of 2006.

Clemson would like to sign two quarterbacks in this class and will get a bigger jump on the evaluations in May on the recruiting trail and this summer in their camps and the Bowden Academy. With the help of their high school coaches and other college coaches we have gathered information on six quarterbacks Clemson has contacted for the Class of 2006.

In recruiting we sensationalize at every chance but here is story of “the best high school football player to ever come out of Jacksonville, FL.” That is what many are saying about Nease High School quarterback Tim Tebow (6-3, 225). The three-sport star has passed for almost 5,000 yards and 46 touchdowns so far in his career and has rushed for 1,500 yards and 26 more scores. He has offers from almost every school that recruits that Jacksonville area. Tebow is home school and is a very good student. The early list of schools includes Florida, Miami, FSU, Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, USC, Tennessee, Auburn, Clemson and many others.

B.J. Phillips (6-5, 230) of Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC is a huge pocket passer. He had a good junior campaign with almost 1,400 yards passing and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for over 600 yards and four touchdowns. Most of the ACC/SEC have been in contact including USC, Clemson, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Duke. Phillips is a strong athlete who also has a good academic background. Both his mother and father went to USC.

Another huge quarterback prospect in the state this season is Jamie Childers (6-4, 220) of Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Childers is another top-notch student. The low-country product has heard from Clemson, USC, Florida, NC State, North Carolina, Duke, Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Clemson is the early leader for athletic quarterback D’Vontre Richardson (6-2, 205) of Lee County High School in Leesburg, GA. He already has offers from Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Troy. Clemson is also in good shape with several of Richardson’s teammates.

Clemson has ties to another of the South’s top quarterbacks. Steven Emsminger (6-2, 185) of Opelika, AL is the son of former Clemson assistant and current Auburn assistant Steve Emsminger. Following a very successful junior campaign and on the heels of Auburn’s great season the quarterback is leaning towards staying close to home. Auburn and Clemson are joined by schools like LSU and Georgia in the early running for Emsminger.

Perhaps the state of Alabama’s top quarterback is Neil Caudle (6-3, 205) of Hoover, AL. Caudle is considered one of the top prospects in the country at his position and he already has offers from Auburn, Alabama, Louisville, FSU, Clemson and Michigan.

Again the staff will continue to evaluate and could have a quarterback committed by the end of summer camps.