Freshman Forecast: Ricky Sapp

TigerNet Staff · Correspondent · Monday, February 13 2006

Ricky Sapp - Defensive Line
TigerNet: (5.00)

Height: 6-4 Weight: 240 Hometown: Bamberg, SC (Bamberg Erhardt HS) Class: 2006

ESPN: NR

Rivals:

Scout:

Bamberg's Ricky Sapp exploded on the scene about this time last year. Everyone knew he was going to be highly recruited, but few believed he would finish the year as the nation's #1 defensive end prospect.

Sapp saved Clemson's fans a lot of anxiety. Sapp committed early to the Tigers, and he sent his LOI in right on time. What would have happened had Sapp waited until Signing Day?

Had Sapp announced for Clemson on Signing Day, I firmly believe several thousand Clemson fans would have lost their jobs. The announcement of CJ Spiller was almost too much for many, but had Clemson landed Sapp and Spiller on Signing Day, most fans would have passed out from shock and clued their bosses into the fact that absolutely nothing was accomplished on February 1.

Sapp has uncanny speed for a player that is 6-4, 225 pounds. Sapp runs a 4.4 forty and a 10.6 100 M. To make an equivalent of the 100 M time, fellow Clemson signee Crezdon Butler, a cornerback, has posted a 10.6 100 M as his best time. You will have to look very hard for a depth chart in the country where the defensive end is as fast the cornerback.

Sapp will come in and compete for the #2 spot at bandit behind Gaines Adams. Sapp will benefit greatly from Adams. Adams will have a year to show Sapp the ropes.

Sapp hopes to bulk up to 240 by the time he reaches Clemson in July. If Sapp reaches 235 pounds, he will be doing just fine. The current players behind Adams, only have experience on Sapp. The coaching staff will be hard pressed to not quickly insert Sapp at #2 on the depth chart.

With the lack of depth at defensive end, Sapp may have been the most important prospect in the 2006 class. He will enroll at Clemson in July, and it will likely be just a matter of time before he is on the two-deep.

Freshman Forecast: Second Team Bandit