Clemson's Got Talent: Commits and surprise visitors highlight Tuesday session

Spencer Lytle talks to Brent Venables

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Jun 12 16:52:10 GMT-04:00 2018

CLEMSON – That’s what I am talking about.

A bevy of talented prospects was on hand for the opening session of the second week of Dabo Swinney’s high school camp, and the 45 minutes allotted the media to observe simply wasn’t enough time.

We will get it started with some visitors who showed up but didn’t participate in the workouts. Three-star linebacker Spencer Lytle of Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco was given a tour on the golf cart before spending time with linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Lytle took an official visit to Wisconsin last weekend and will take an official visit to Notre Dame this weekend. In between, however, is a two-day stop in Clemson on Tuesday and Wednesday.

*Four-star Apopka (FL) defensive tackle Tyler Davis stopped by campus for the second time in as many weeks during Clemson camp Tuesday. Davis is rated as high as the No. 57 prospect overall and the No. 6 defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN. He visited last week with a group touring different schools.

He picked up an offer in February from Clemson. Davis worked out at Florida State camp and also visited Ohio State last week and will reportedly visit Miami coming up soon.

Davis spent time talking to defensive line coach Todd Bates during the session (he worked out) and also spent a lot of time talking to Clemson defensive line commit Tayquon Johnson. Clemson and Ohio St. have been Davis’ leaders for a while, and the Clemson coaching staff is certainly hoping this visit will put the Tigers out front.

The defensive tackle group was loaded, especially when you add in North Charleston (SC) Garrett Academy’s Dal’Mont Gourdine

*Another big-time 4-star defensive end on campus is Marietta (GA) Hillgrove ‘s Myles Murphy. The 2020 prospect will likely be one of this region’s most sought-after prospects. Clemson coaches have been in constant contact with Murphy while Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn are likewise heavily involved, with Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Michigan and Florida also on his offer list. He is being recruited by Lemanski Hall (defensive ends) and area recruiter Brandon Streeter. Clemson has staying power with this one.

*Instant grits. What do grits have to do with football? I heard one high school coach ask a Clemson staffer about the recent transfers, and the staffer laughed and said, “Everybody wants instant grits. Nobody wants to wait for the good stuff to cook.”

I have to admit, I am gonna use that from now on.

*The receivers group was loaded today, highlighted by Clemson commit Frank Ladson. Because we were short on time, I couldn’t spend too much of the session watching Ladson, but it’s obvious what Clemson in the Florida playmaker. One high school coach stepped in front of me, watched Ladson run a route, and turned around to me and said, “I am so glad I don’t have to face that every season. Stud.”

Stud is right. Another coach compared Ladson to a gazelle – long strides that eat up ground, but he’s also quick in and out of his cuts. Doesn’t round off his routes like a lot of younger players. He still has a lot to work on, but the finished product will be something to see.

Frank Ladson works out Tuesday

*Another receiver we spent time watching is 2020 prospect EJ Williams of Phenix City (AL) Central. The former teammate of Clemson commit Justyn Ross worked with the first group and was impressive. He camped at Auburn last week and walked away with an offer and also has offers from Ole Miss and Miss. St. That list will continue to grow as he hits the camp circuit.

*Not working out but on hand is Clemson defensive back commit Lannden Zanders. I would really like to see him work out to get a better gauge on his ability, but it’s obvious the coaches love what he brings to the table.

*Notable among the defensive backs was another former teammate of Ross – 2019 safety Ray Thornton. He has offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech and others but lacks a Clemson offer. It will be interesting to see if he walks away with one after today’s session. He has the ideal length (6-2, 195) for a safety.

*We will have more on a surprise wide receiver visitor and others after the evening session.