Kearse enjoys spring game visit, but ready for the real thing |
Jayron Kearse roamed the sidelines of Death Valley Saturday afternoon, not content with his status as a recruit or official visitor. He was ready to leave the sidelines and walk in between the white lines with a helmet and shoulder pads.
In other words, he can’t wait for June 23rd, when he will enroll for Clemson’s second summer session and begin his Clemson football career. Kearse, one of the nation’s top defensive back prospects, made the trip up to Clemson from Fort Myers, Fla., for the Tigers’ annual Orange and White Game, and he told TigerNet that he thoroughly enjoyed the visit but can’t wait until he is a full-fledged member of the team. “It was a really good trip,” Kearse told TigerNet. “I love seeing the stadium and getting to see all of the fans. It was a great atmosphere. But I am just ready to get here in June and focus on helping the team.” Kearse said that the coaches plan on him being a safety once he arrives on campus – even though his frame and 206-pound weight say he could easily transition to linebacker at some point. Kearse said that the coaches have talked to him about playing the nickel/SAM hybrid position that Travis Blanks held last year. "It’s safety right now," Kearse said. "Probably strong safety or free safety. But the coaches have also told me I'll probably start playing nickel like Travis did last year. I know Travis and Robert [Smith] are going to be great safeties, and I don’t want to redshirt. I want to help out right away.” Kearse said that he has been watching film of Clemson’s defense and watching Blanks, and has a willing study partner in fellow 2013 commit Mackenzie Alexander. “I think I have a pretty good idea of what is going on with the defense, and I think I am ready to come in and make an impact,” he said. “Mackenzie and I talk all the time, and we talk about our mindset that we need when get on campus, and the kind of mindset we need our freshman year. We talk about what we want to come in and accomplish. I am really excited about that next step.” Kearse said that he and Alexander are becoming good friends, and even watch video on YouTube of Georgia’s offense. “We call each other every now and then just to check in on each other,” he said. “I help him with things and he helps me with things. We talk about it all the time that we don’t want to be behind when we get there. I am in the weight room every day and I am doing my push-ups and ladder drills and things like that so that when I get there I won’t be lacking in anything and I will be ready to go.” Kearse told us he is good with the NCAA and “ready to go” as far as academics are concerned. As a senior, he had 87 tackles, three interceptions, three sacks and blocked a punt. He scored four touchdowns on offense. As a junior, at Cypress Lake, Kearse rushed for 1,473 yards and 17 touchdowns on offense and added 35 tackles and two interceptions on defense. As a sophomore, he played primarily quarterback, rushing for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also threw for five scores.
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
