Family atmosphere and offer highlight 5-star RB's visit

Photo: Student Sports

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Tue Oct 31 08:01:24 GMT-04:00 2017

“Rain, sleet or snow, Tiger Nation they showed.”

Those were head coach Dabo Swinney’s words in 2015 after the Notre Dame game, and once again Clemson fans showed up for Saturday night’s 24-10 victory over Georgia Tech in monsoon-like conditions.

Recruits like 2019 5-star Bradenton (FL) IMG running back Noah Cain took notice of a fan base that shows up no matter the time or the weather.

“Seeing the faithful fan base was really cool and the family atmosphere of the team impressed me the most,” Cain told TigerNet Sunday evening. “I also enjoyed getting to meet Coach Swinney for the first time.”

While seeing Clemson for the first time, Cain had two pretty good tour guides in IMG teammates and Clemson commits Xavier Thomas and Mike Jones, Jr.

“It was real cool seeing them and being up there with them,” Cain said of his teammates.

Cain – the No. 23 player in the ESPN JR 300 – spent a considerable amount of time with running backs coach and area recruiter Tony Elliott learning about Clemson’s offense.

“I talked to Coach Elliott the most and his message to me was that I fit their culture and the offense they run,” he said. “I like their offense because they use the running backs in all aspects of the game.”

Elliott and Cain have been in contact since last spring, and the 5-11, 207-pound back said receiving the Clemson offer was icing on the cake after a good visit.

“The visit was really cool and it was a blessing to leave with a Clemson offer,” he said. “I know a Clemson offer is something a lot of recruits want nowadays. I feel good about Clemson because I’ve been talking to them for a good amount of time now, so getting the offer felt good yesterday.”

Cain has national offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulsa, and UCLA.

He said he already knows what he’s looking for in a school.

“I’ve visited Ohio State and Oklahoma this season and I’m going to Alabama next week,” he said. “The school I choose will be a family atmosphere and I will be really comfortable there.”

Cain is already making plans for a return trip to Clemson and if all goes well the Tigers will be in contention for the long haul.

“I don’t have a list yet but if I keep building that strong relationship with Clemson then they’ll be a top contender,” he said. “I plan to visit Clemson again early next year so I can get a full tour of the campus.”

During five games as a junior at IMG Cain has rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns on 49 carries. As a sophomore at Denton (Texas), he carried the ball 210 times for 1,683 yards and 22 touchdowns.