Baker meets with Reed, hopes to have decision by this weekend

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Jan 31 10:09:10 GMT-04:00 2013

Clemson secondary coach Mike Reed Mike Reed
Defensive Backs Coach
View Full Profile was in south Florida Wednesday to meet with 3-star defensive back prospect Adrian Baker Adrian Baker
Cornerback
6-1, 170
Hollywood, FL
View Full Profile .

Baker, out of Hollywood (FL) Chaminade Madonna, spoke with TigerNet following the visit, and he said the visit was a chance for him to get to know Reed a little better – Reed was hired away from N.C. State early in January.

“He is the really the only coach that has been here to see me,” Baker said. “Coach Reed came to my school this morning. He was obviously letting me know that he was the new defensive backs coach, and he wants me to form a good relationship with him. We are still just really getting to know each other.”

Baker has narrowed his college choices down to Clemson and Oklahoma, and said the relationships with the Sooners have been solid.

“Coach Reed knows I already have a good relationship with Coach [Bob] Stoops and Coach [Mike] Stoops,” he said. “He was telling me how he does things, and the things he accomplished at N.C. State and the players he has coaches. He talked about being in the NFL with the Eagles, and he let me know he plays freshmen, too. But I know that wherever I go, I have to put the work in. He is a cool guy. I am just trying to get a feel for him. I am trying to get to know him a little better, like I know Coach Stoops.”

Baker said he enjoyed his visit to Oklahoma back in mid-December.

“It was right after I visited Clemson,” he said. “It was great. I had a good time. I already knew my cousin, Davin Joseph, who played for Oklahoma. It was great to be out there and get a feel for things. It was fun.”

Baker said he is on a time crunch because he wants to have his decision made by this weekend.

“With Clemson, I am just trying to get that feel for Coach Reed. I know Coach [Dabo] Swinney and Coach [Brent] Venables,” he said. “I want to give him a fair shot, and I am totally focused right now on getting to know him. I want to know by this weekend and by the latest Monday, because I want to call the coaches at both schools on Monday morning and let them know where I will be going.”

Baker said the Tigers have several factors weighing in their favor.

“They have a great coaching staff, and a great atmosphere,” he said. “I love what Coach Swinney has done in four years. They are going in the right direction. They just beat LSU, and I really feel like the best is yet to come.”