Anthony says talent and hard work make Clemson a team on the rise

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Jun 14 21:13:03 GMT-04:00 2011

Stephone Anthony Stephone Anthony
Linebacker
# 6-2, 220
Wadesboro, NC
View Full Profile feels like he may have the most talented set of roommates in Clemson when he arrives on campus the first week of July.

The 6-2, 220-pounder out of Anson High School [Wadesboro, NC] was, according to many publications, the top-rated outside linebacker prospect in the nation this past season, and he says that he can't wait to get on campus and join his future teammates and roommates.

Anthony said that he will be rooming with Tony StewardTony Steward
Linebacker
# 6-2, 225
St. Augustine, FL
View Full Profile – the No. 1-rated inside linebacker prospect, and sharing a suite with defensive back Cortez DavisCortez Davis
Defensive Back
# 6-3, 200
Daytona Beach, FL
View Full Profile and linebacker B.J. GoodsonB.J. Goodson
Linebacker
# 6-1, 215
Lamar, SC
View Full Profile .

“I talk to those guys, and we talk about what we need and who is bringing what,” Anthony told TigerNet Tuesday afternoon. “I am sure they kind of set us up that way, and I had it figured out that me and Tony were going to be roommates. It is going by way too fast, to be honest with you. My parents and everybody around me have been telling me that college will fly by and to enjoy it while I can.”

Anthony said he didn’t know that Steward was going to be joining him in Clemson until National Signing Day.

“I really didn’t know Tony before I signed with Clemson,” he said. “It was a surprise to me when he picked Clemson, because I thought he was a lock to Florida St. When I saw he picked Clemson, too, I couldn’t do anything but smile because I knew we had a great player.”

Anthony caused quite a stir during his announcement on National Signing Day when he said “Clemson is coming” and he told TigerNet that all one has to do is look at the talent on hand – and the talent coming in – to see what he meant.

Now, however, the work begins.

“We are going to be a young team, and we have so much talent coming in,” he said. “We can go as far as we want to go. It’s all about how hard we work. I am the type of guy that believes if you work hard, then things will come to you. If we put the work in, then we will be there and Clemson will come.”

He said he chose Clemson for a number of reasons, and the people surrounding the team and the community played a big part in the process.

“I chose Clemson because I felt like that was the best decision for me and for my family,” he said. “I knew that I wanted to go away from here, but I also wanted to be close enough to get back to my family when I wanted to. But, I felt really comfortable in Clemson. The staff and people around Clemson made it easy. The staff is very family-oriented, and there is a family atmosphere there. You can tell that people really care about you.”

Many have predicted that Anthony will be a starter before the end of the season, but he says all he cares about is winning and helping the team, even if it means he doesn’t play.

“My goal is to be a Tiger and to perform,” Anthony said. “I want to do what is best for the team.”