Tigers in contention for Florida defensive end

Cutts received a Clemson offer in February

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Jul 07 08:01:02 GMT-04:00 2018

After a February offer and constant communication with Clemson coaches, the Tigers find themselves in the top group for Raymond Cutts.

The 3-star Orlando (FL) Jones defensive end earned a Clemson offer after a standout performance at a Rivals camp in February, which vaulted the Tigers into Cutts’ top four with Louisville, Tennessee and Central Florida.

Cutts’ relationship with defensive ends coach Todd Bates has kept Clemson in contention, even without a visit to campus.

“I hear from Clemson every day - non-stop, every day,” Cutts said in a recent interview. “Todd (Bates) is telling me I can come in and be a factor. He’s basically saying that if I come in and work hard and do what I’ve got to do every day and grind, I can come in and play off that. They like the type of player I am. They like how versatile I am at both linebacker and D-end.”

The 6-3, 255-pound prospect is already thinking ahead to official and unofficial visits and is planning to travel to Clemson, Louisville and Tennessee before making a decision in the fall.

“I love Clemson, you know,” Cutts said. “The relationship with Coach Todd Bates, that was what really made me start loving the program a lot. I plan to take a visit there once I am done with my online classes. I’m going to have them in the picture when it’s time (to commit).”

In addition to Cutts Jones High School is also home to 3-star linebacker Marcus Tillman, Jr., who also owns a Clemson offer.

“They are on him heavy,” Cutts said of his teammate. “Me and Tillman, we ’re waiting on the Florida schools. Florida schools really haven’t picked us up yet, so we’re just waiting on some in-state offers to come in. He (Bates) is on Tillman real heavy. We are actually in a group chat, us three, and he talks to him every day.”

Tillman owns 18 offers from Clemson, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Ohio State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech among others and plans to announce a decision on August 10.