Former teammate of Sammy Watkins has Clemson in top three

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Feb 07 10:52:34 GMT-04:00 2012

Joe Fennell Joe Fennell
Offensive Line
6-4, 290
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile said he felt like every time he turned on the television this past fall to watch college football or college football highlights, he saw former teammate Sammy Watkins making a big play.

Fennell was a teammate of Watkins for two years at South Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Fla., and said that watching his former teammate was not only humbling but motivating as well.

“I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him because he has been so busy,” Fennell told TigerNet this week. “But it was something else, just watching this kid that I played high school ball with and now he is on TV. That was motivation for me, too, because I know that if he can do it, I can do it. I want to go out there and play at that level, too.”

Fennell is a big (6-5, 320) offensive and defensive line prospect who figures to play on the defensive line at the next level, and his play has earned him offers from the big three Florida schools, as well as Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky.

He said he doesn’t mind his time in the spotlight, either.

“It is encouraging, actually,” he said. “I like the spotlight because it encourages me and motivates me. My first offer came my sophomore year in the spring time, and I got an offer from Illinois. That was shocking. It really didn’t hit me until a few days later that I had gotten my first college offer.”

Fennell said his mindset is the same whether he is on the offensive line or defensive line – it’s all about domination.

“If I can physically dominate someone, then that is what I am going to do,” he said. “If I am faster than someone then I will use my speed. But I just like to dominate. On defense, I protect my gap and man up on the man in front of me. I like to flush the quarterback and then make the running back feel like he doesn’t want to run the ball anymore. It’s a good feeling knowing that I did my job and did what I was supposed to do and that my coaches and teammates are happy.”

Fennell said he doesn’t have a favorite, but does have a top three.

“My top three are Clemson, Indiana and Florida,” he said. “With Clemson, I really like the program and the coaches. And they have Sammy. They also need help on defense, so what is not to like about them?”

Fennell said he can't make it up for an official visit this spring, but does plan on attending head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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