Clemson commit bouncing back from season-ending surgery

by Tom Meares - Correspondent - Wed Sep 21 15:03:22 GMT-04:00 2016

Logan Rudolph, the 2017 Clemson linebacker/defensive end commit who tore his labrum during Northwestern (S.C.) High School's 42-28 victory over Dorman last month, is on the mend.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound defender from Rock Hill told TigerNet via text message Tuesday morning that he is optimistic about his recovery from season-ending surgery.

“Recovery is going great,” Rudolph texted. “I had surgery last Wednesday and have no pain in my shoulder at all. (I) started back lifting legs and right arm exercises yesterday.”

Rudolph – who in 2015 accounted for 60 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles – is still on track to graduate in December and enroll in January at Clemson, where he plans to major in business or business marketing.

“(I'll) begin shoulder rehabilitations this afternoon, will be back quickly,” he texted.

The labrum is a piece of fibrocartilage attached to the rim of the shoulder socket that helps keep the ball of the joint in place, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. A labral tear occurs when this cartilage is torn.

“It is believed that it takes at least four to six weeks for the labrum to reattach itself to the rim of the bone, and probably another four to six weeks to get strong,” according to an article at physiodc.com. “Once the labrum has healed to the rim of the bone, it should see stress very gradually so that it can gather strength.”

Rudolph also has played tight end for the Trojans, catching 50 passes for 502 yards and three scores during his junior season. He is the younger brother of Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, and his former Northwestern head football coach Kyle Richardson is now a coach at Clemson.

Rudolph famously committed to Clemson with a viral video that showed him chopping wood in jean shorts, to the tune of Kenny Rogers' “Danger Zone.” He told TigerNet this summer that Clemson's “family feel” and proximity to home were the two main factors behind his commitment.

“I really liked the family feel at Clemson,” Rudolph said in June. “I think the coaches there are true to their word and are really good guys – guys I think I'll enjoy being around for four years of my life. And obviously the proximity to home is second to none, and it couldn't be a better situation, just convenience-wise, as far as getting to and from school.

“So those two (factors) are two big positives for me, so I'm just happy and truly blessed to be in the situation I am, and I'm just looking forward to the future. So that's why I'm going to Clemson, yes, sir.”

In addition to Clemson, Rudolph also received offers from Alabama, Appalachian State, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, SMU, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UAB, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.