4-star RB has Clemson in his top two

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Jun 21 15:57:06 GMT-04:00 2012

Running Back

6-1, 210

Elberton, GA

View Full Profile currently has two schools sitting atop his list, and those two schools will meet in the opening game of the season in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome.

Dye is the 2013 running back out of Elberton (Ga.) Elbert County, a 4-star prospect that is high on the list of both Clemson and Auburn, his current favorites.

Dye visited Clemson last week, watching drills during Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney

Head Coach

View Full Profile ’s high school camp. It was a visit he made with his grandfather and mother, and the trio watched his brother work out for the Clemson coaches. Marquice Dye is a 2014 cornerback prospect who has been offered by Tennessee.

“We were there pretty much all day,” Dye said of the visit. “I spent a lot of time watching coach [Tony] Elliott put the running backs through their drills. He would be my position coach, so it was good to see how he worked with the players. We then took a visit around the campus and got to talk to a lot of the coaches. It was pretty interesting.”

Dye said he loves the small-town feel that Clemson offers.

“I like Clemson because I am from a country town,” he said. “It’s not real big, and Clemson is a great school and football program in a place that reminds me of home. That is one of the best things I like about it.”

He said he also has a great relationship with offensive coordinator Chad Morris and Elliott.

“Coach Elliott is a great recruiter, and I have a great relationship with him,” he said. “He checks in with me on Facebook and stuff, and I really like talking to him. Coach Morris is a great guy, and he let me know on the visit that I was high on their list, their number one running back remaining. He said that they might only take one more running back, so I have that to think about.”

As a result, he said he has moved up the timeframe on making a college choice.

“Originally, I kind of wanted to wait until National Signing Day,” he said. “But so many players are committing and a lot of spots are filling up. So I think now I want to make my decision either during football season or right after.”

He said the two Tigers currently share his top spot.

“I have a top three of Auburn, Clemson and Tennessee,” he said. “I know Tennessee is third, but Clemson and Auburn are tied for first.”

Dye said that Clemson and Auburn share a lot of the same attributes, including his relationship with both coaching staffs, both being smaller towns and the chance to play early.

“I know Clemson loses Andre Ellington after this season,” he said. “I really think I would have a chance to get there and play as a freshman. That would be a fun offense to be in, and I like the way they run things. That is a great offense to be in.”

As a junior, he rushed 212 times for 1,516 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes out of the backfield for 198 yards. As a sophomore, he rushed for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns on 90 carries.