Anthony looking forward to Clemson visit with Ellerbe and Pagan

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Jan 13 10:20:08 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – As the Clemson coaching staff prepares to host a critical weekend full of big-time recruits, one big-time recruit says he and two of his friends just want to come in, have a good time, and see how things operate at Clemson.

Stephone Anthony (Anson HS in Wadesboro, NC) is the No. 1-rated outside linebacker in the nation (No. 1 overall player in North Carolina and 30th nationally) will be in town this weekend for an official visit. Also on hand will be high school teammate Brandon Ellerbe, who is a soft commit to North Carolina but was once committed to Clemson, and Jeoffrey Pagan.

Pagan (Asheville) is the big (6-4, 272) defensive end who is Anthony’s good friend and also the No. 3-rated defensive end prospect in the nation. The two have dropped hints that they would like to attend the same school.

“Honestly, I think we will be able to hang out together,” Anthony said. “We’ll just take this trip and see how everything goes. I’m just looking for my parents to have a good time. I’m just looking to have a good time and see how I get along with some of the guys. And get behind the scenes and see how things are moving along in Clemson.”

He posted 123 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions this past season. As a result, he was invited to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando two weeks ago, and he said it was a trip he will never forget.

“That was a great experience, a real good experience for me,” Anthony said. “Just to get down there and compete was special for me. I felt like I played well in the game and did what I was supposed to. I competed so I was happy with that.”

And now he is back to the real world and the recruiting process.

“It’s been real busy as far as recruiting goes, because we are getting into the thick of it and things are starting to pick up,” he said. “You go ahead and try to get it down to the schools you think you want to head to and go from there. I’ve got it down to Florida, Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and North Carolina State. They are all tied. I’m just going to sit down and weigh my options.”

He admitted that the whole recruiting process is beginning to wear on him.

“It’s starting to get old,” he said. “You keep your respectful attitude and keep going. When this thing is all said and done, you are just thankful for it and you’re blessed that you’ve had this opportunity.”