Swinney on his 5-star WR signee from California: "It's huge"

Tony Crumpton · Assoc. Editor · Sunday, January 06 2019

Joe Ngata - Wide Receiver
TigerNet: (4.55)

Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 Hometown: Folsom, CA (Folsom HS) Class: 2019

ESPN:

#159 Overall, #23 WR, #20 CA

Rivals:

#27 Overall, #5 WR, #4 CA

24/7:

#43 Overall, #6 WR, #7 CA

The College Football Playoff National Championship held Media Day Saturday at Media Day, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney discussed the high-profile signing for 5-star receiver Joe Ngata from Folsom, Ca.

"Yeah, I can actually talk about him since he signed with us," Swinney said. "It's huge. He's a great player. He's a very skilled receiver, big body that's going to develop tremendously when he gets into college, awesome family, great fit for our culture at Clemson, very dynamic young player. He's one of those guys that he'll be like a Christian Wilkins. He's got amazing mind and leadership abilities. I mean, he is an incredibly well-rounded young person that I think will impact our community and impact a lot of people's lives through the platform of college football."

Ngata is in a group of three talented early-enrollees with fellow 5-star Frank Ladson and 3-star Brannon Spector.

"He's so much more than just a good receiver, but I can't wait to get him a part – he's actually moving to Clemson tomorrow, so all those guys move in – he and Frank Ladson are out in the Army game, and I think it's the Army game, San Antonio, so he's out there – they're out there playing ball, and they're moving to Clemson tomorrow, they're excited about it," Swinney said. "They'll have a big watch party. But for me personally, it's my first recruit from California, so that's pretty neat to get my first guy from out here. I got a chance to go to Folsom. I had never been to Folsom. That was a neat experience a few weeks ago, flying out and getting to see the town and meet the coaches and all that. We're excited about him."

Ngata averaged 20.5 yards this season and posted a touchdown every 2.7 receptions.