Joyner loves what he sees at Clemson

Joyner works out at Clemson last summer

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Apr 02 09:01:02 GMT-04:00 2016

Dakereon Joyner likes what he sees from the players and coaches at Clemson for 2016 and beyond.

While he’s still two years away from being able to sign with a school, the four-star North Charleston (SC) Fort Dorchester quarterback is paying attention to everything Clemson does and it begins with offensive coordinator Tony Elliott and quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Joyner visited Clemson Wednesday afternoon with former teammate and Clemson signee John Simpson and the two spent the day seeing what it’s like to be a Clemson football player with meetings, practice and scrimmages.

“I got there two days ago. Me and John had planned on going back up there soon. He called me the night before,” Joyner told TigerNet recently.” As soon as I got there, I talked to Coach [Tony] Elliott.

Then me and John went to the team meeting. After that, I spent time with Deshaun [Watson] and we went to the QB meeting. We sat in there and then they went to get ready for the scrimmage. I was with Deshaun throughout the day and then I watched them practice and scrimmage.”

The first order of business for Joyner was to touch base with Elliott to continue to forge their relationship.

“He's a great guy. I met him a couple of years back.” Joyner said. “I don't know what it is about him, but we relate because of the stuff we've been through in the past. I don't look at him as a coach. I look at him as a person that I admire and I can talk to. I call Coach Tony Elliott anytime I want. I can just talk to him. We don't always talk about recruiting. It's hard to explain, but he's just a good guy.”

Elliott’s message for the 6-1, 190-pounder was to make sure he chooses a school for the right reasons.

“He wasn't really telling me anything. We had a casual conversation about recruiting and life and becoming a man,” Joyner said. “No matter where I go to college, just make sure my education - no one can ever take that away from you. That's what we talked about. Growing into a young man and just growing up.”

Joyner then spent a good deal of time with Watson, who he tries to emulate both on and off the field.

“Me and Deshaun talk often. We talked throughout last year, too. His mental aspect of the game is what really stands out,” he said. “The kid's knowledge, he's blessed and he's gifted and talented. I really look up to him. His work ethic, he has the mindset that nobody can outwork him and that's the way I am, as well. Just the way he plays the game and the way he plays the quarterback position and his leadership.”

After watching Wednesday’s scrimmage, Joyner said one thought came to mind.

“Immediately, a national championship comes to my mind. Those guys work. With Clemson, their whole offense is coming back, including Mike Williams,” he said. “That's national championship status right there. Even the second guys can play. Defense - they are doing really good. The secondary is getting it together. The offense is clicking smoothly.”

The 2018 prospect owns offers from Clemson, Georgia, N.C. State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Auburn Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. Joyner said he’s taking his time with the recruiting process and examining all of his options.

“I'm just sitting back and taking notes of all of the schools and who committed and whatnot,” he said. “No one school is really standing out. I'm just taking the process slow and looking back and seeing what quarterback is going where and what kind of quarterback they are.”

While Joyner wouldn’t name a leader, he did say there’s just something about Clemson that he can’t explain.

“It's different. Clemson, it feels like home, but every time I go there's something different. I like it more,” he said. “The coaches, they have a really good staff. I love Coach Swinney and the way he coaches. He's a fun guy but he can turn that switch off really quick and I like that. Coach Elliott and Coach Streeter really impress me. They are all really good guys.”