The Man Who Started It All

by TigerNet Staff - Tue Jan 17 21:49:10 GMT-04:00 2006

Jamie Cumbie - Defensive Line
TigerNet: (4.04)

Height: 6-7 Weight: 255 Hometown: Morris, IL (Morris Community HS) Class: 2006

ESPN: NR

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Scout:

Jamie Cumbie started Clemson’s 2006 signing class off on the right foot. Tuesday evening, we had a chance to catch up with Clemson’s first verbal commitment.

Cumbie had a stellar senior season with several highlights.

“We went 14-0 and won Class 6-A championship. I had 89 solo tackles, 35 assists, and 25 sacks. On offense, I had 34 catches for 610 yards and 5 touchdowns.”

“We played Joliet Catholic the fourth game of the year. They were fourth in the nation, when played them. We won 28-21. It was at our place with about 9,000 people going crazy. They beat us in state last year. It was the first time ever for my school to beat Joliet, and the first time they had lost to public school in 10 years.”

Head coach Tommy Bowden thanked Cumbie, when he committed on June 1. He told Cumbie then, that his commitment would lead to big things.

“At the time, I was caught up between Notre Dame and Clemson. It came down to where I would be the most happy at. Coach Bowden told me that, and I didn’t really expect me committing would help bring other guys in. It is great it worked out that way.”

Coach Bowden and linebackers coach David Blackwell will be heading to Illinois tomorrow evening for an in-home visit with the Cumbie family.

“We are going to my grandparent’s house. Coach Blackwell is coming early in the day. He is coming by the school to talk to my coach, and then he is coming to talk to my parents. My grandparents have a lot of food. We want to give Coach Bowden a great meal.”

Cumbie chose the Tigers over Notre Dame. Cumbie built a good relationship with Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis during his recruitment, and he had nothing but good things to say about Weis.

“I have talked to him a couple of times, and they kept recruiting me. Coach Weis is a great guy, and I take nothing away from him. He was real down to earth, and he has changed things around in his first year. I have nothing bad to say about those guys.”

Cumbie is talented baseball prospect as well. He could in fact be selected in the 2006 MLB Draft, but he says time will only tell.

“Baseball season starts late up here. I am just starting to throw. I am just trying to get back into things. There is a chance I get drafted, but that will depend on my senior. I have talked to a few scouts and filled out medical releases. I have no clue what is going to happen with the draft. They have already told me, if I wanted to play football and baseball at Clemson I could.”

We will continue to check in with Cumbie, as he prepares to enroll in July. He will be a guest on the George Coleman Ford Recruiting Show Sunday evening on 104.9 FM.