Four-star RB Jerrion Ealy impressed with Clemson after weekend visit

Ealy won't sign until February 6th

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Mon Jan 14 08:18:34 GMT-04:00 2019

If you want to impress one of the few remaining targets for the 2019 recruiting class, what better way to do it than to hold a parade and celebration of a National Championship.

Four-star running back Jerrion Ealy of Jackson (MS) Jackson Prep is one of the last pieces Clemson would love to add to an already star-studded 2019 class, and over the weekend the two-sport star and his parents got the inside look at what Dabo Swinney and company have built. The result of the visit was Clemson will have its shot with three others when Ealy announces on February 6th.

The MVP of the Under Armour All-American game two weeks ago, Ealy had been committed to Ole Miss but decided to re-open his commitment last week. That led to this past weekend’s visit to Clemson.

Ealy said he hung out with several of the players during the weekend including running backs Lyn-J Dixon and Travis Etienne and receiver Justyn Ross and was impressed with how they have put the national championship behind them and started to focus on 2019.

"I guess I can say I saw the player side the player view of it," Ealy said. "They were ready to get back to work pretty much. I guess it was kind of like a normal day in their life, a normal weekend in their life. It was more about this year's upcoming team more so last year's team."

One thing Clemson has no shortage of for 2019 is running backs. Etienne and Dixon return for sure and Tavien Feaster could be back. And the Tigers signed Chez Mellusi in December. So, Ealy is clear on what he would be facing if he choosing Clemson.

"Nothing is really set in stone until you go through practice and they evaluate you then, but as of right now, I'll be considered the fifth man on the depth chart, well fourth or fifth. They just want you to come in and work hard. I feel like I'll provide them with a little bit more game out of catching the ball out of the backfield than usual until I establish myself in the run game tremendously. I'd kind of have a role like like that early on, be an adequate amount playing time my first few years."

Ealy led his team in receiving yards last season with 398 along with three touchdowns. He rushed for 1526 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Ealy said part of his trip included a tour of the academic side of things and he likes the campus a lot. He also got a look at the new training facilities and was impressed with that as well. And he spent time with baseball coach Monte Lee.

"My meeting with coach Lee was awesome," he said. "He pretty much told me I had a spot on the baseball team. I have a good chance of coming in and being the leadoff guy if I choose to go that route."

Ealy is an outfielder and is one of only four players ever named an Under Armour All American in baseball and football. Last summer he played in an all-star game at Wrigley Field and last month he set an Under Armour Game rushing record with 116 yards.

Ealy has now taken official visits to Clemson and Mississippi State and he's scheduled for an official visit to Ole Miss weekend after next. New South Carolina running backs coach Thomas Brown reached out to him last week but he told him it was too late in the game and he's focused on the four of Clemson, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Alabama. He has taken an unofficial visit to Alabama. Ealy said he does not plan to take a visit anywhere this coming weekend.

As for coaches coming for visits, he knows Dabo Swinney and assistants will be in but he's not sure if its this week or next week. He's also expecting coaches from the other three to visit him during the week.

Ealy is projected as a first-round pick in the baseball draft this summer so he said he'll have to wait to see how that plays out before his final plans are known. He could play pro baseball in the summer and college football in the fall, but if the baseball offer is large enough, he could go strictly baseball. Former Vanderbilt baseball star Hunter Bledsoe, who played five years of pro ball with three organizations, is his adviser on the baseball side of things.