DeShawn Williams: "This is a stressful time"

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Jan 04 20:06:09 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Recruiting a high school prospect to a particular school is indeed about making the recruit realize the value of the university or college. And yes, recruits pick schools they like.

But college recruiters are essentially salesmen, and part of their sales pitch is not only selling the school they work for, but themselves.

And when coaches leave a program during the recruiting process, relationships are damaged.

Daniel High School defensive lineman DeShawn Williams is finding this out first hand.

Williams had to learn via Facebook today that Clemson defensive ends coach Chris Rumph was leaving to take a position with the University of Alabama, and the recent flurry of staff turnover at Clemson has him questioning his decision to attend Clemson.

“It’s just really stressful right now,” Williams told TigerNet. “It really makes you kind of think. You build this relationship with this coach, and then he leaves or gets fired and it makes you second-guess why you committed and it kind of makes you think about going somewhere else. It makes you want to find out where he is going and go where he is at.”

It was first Rumph, and then Andre Powell was Williams’ recruiter of record, and now Dan Brooks has the honor. Williams said he loved Rumph’s passion for the game, and has also found a confidant in Brooks.

“I liked Coach Rumph and I liked his high-energy passion for the game,” Williams said. “It makes me excited to play harder for him. I am happy for him, and I hope he does bigger and better things. But I love Coach Brooks, and that is really my main guy. I have told him that wherever he goes, I will go, too. I hope he doesn’t leave, but if he does I am going to ride out with him. I don’t think he is going anywhere but we will just have to see.”

Clemson coaches can't call recruits during the current quiet period, but recruits can call coaches and Williams said he has spoken with members of the Tiger staff.

“They can't call me but I can call them,” Williams. “Today I called and talked to Coach [Brad] Scott, and he knew I was upset with what was happening now. I talked to Coach Rumph, and he told me to stick with Clemson and that Coach Brooks is my man now. I know Coach Brooks is up with Eric MacLain today, but I talked to him and he told me not to worry. I talked to Dabo and he told me that Coach Brooks isn’t going anywhere, and that we all should just get ready for the year coming up.”

Four-star running back Marlin Lane has stated that he is still committed to Clemson, but wants to hear from Swinney soon. DB Cortez Davis told TigerNet Tuesday night that he remains committed to Clemson and will take his visit to Clemson on January 14th. He will visit Miami this weekend, Michigan St. on the 21st and Alabama on the 28th.