Nation's top-ranked linebacker set to visit Clemson Monday

Dean works out at The Opening in Atlanta in March (Photo by Thomas Crumpton, ESQ)

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Fri May 18 08:11:09 GMT-04:00 2018

One of the nation’s top-rated linebackers will be on Clemson’s campus for his first visit to TigerTown.

Nakobe Dean, a 2019 linebacker prospect out of Horn Lake (MS) is ranked as the No. 37 overall player nationally by ESPN, is rated as the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect by 247 and is rated as the No. 2 overall linebacker by Rivals. He is listed as the top-ranked player in the state of Mississippi for 2019.

Dean has offers from all of the top programs and will visit Clemson after a weekend trip to Athens to visit Georgia.

“I’m going to visit Clemson next Monday,” Dean said. “I want to see a little bit of everything because I have never been there. I want to experience as much as I can. I hope I get a chance to see everything in the new football facility.”

Dean stays in almost constant contact with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables.

“I hear from them about every other day. They’re basically trying to get me to come visit,” he said. “I talk to Coach Venables a lot. He’s a cool person and we have a good relationship.”

Dean said he wants to learn more about Venables’ defense on the visit.

“I haven’t really looked at it too much but if he puts me in a position to attack, then I think I would like that,” he said.

He also said he wants the chance to sit down with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, one of the head coaches he hasn’t had a chance to spend time with.

“It would be great to get to talk to Coach Swinney,” Dean said. “I feel like he’s great based off of what I’ve seen on TV. I feel like he’s a great guy, a great coach who has good character. It’s amazing. I feel like they have a strong team every year and they work hard.”

Dean has been coy about his leaders, and he wants to use Monday’s visit to get a better feel for where the Tigers stand.

“I don’t know yet. I’m just wanting to get down and see everything first,” he said.

What kind of player will his college choice be getting?

“I feel like I give 100-percent effort,” Dean said. “I’ll give everything I’ve got and do what I’ve got to do for my team to win.”