Lane: "I am still 100 percent Clemson"

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Dec 23 14:45:11 GMT-04:00 2010

CLEMSON – Marlin Lane took his trip to Auburn University and liked everything about it.

Despite reports to the contrary, however, he didn’t like it enough to switch his allegiance from one group of Tigers to the next.

The Mainland (Daytona Beach, FL) High School product and Clemson commitment had a three-day visit at Auburn last weekend, and the team that will be playing for the National Championship rolled out the red carpet for the No. 8-rated running back in the nation.

Following the visit, several Auburn websites had reports with Lane saying he was now trying to decide between the two Tigers, but Lane told TigerNet Thursday afternoon that wasn’t the case.

“It was a great visit,” Lane said. “I liked everything about it. I got to hang out with [RB} Onterio McCalebb, [RB] Michael Dyer and [WR] Darvin Adams. But they weren’t talking about playing for the National Championship or anything like that. They were just hanging out and being regular people.”

And his thoughts at this stage of the recruiting process?

“I am still 100 percent Clemson,” he answered. “I am still locked in with Clemson all the way. I am not going anywhere. I was like the second one to commit to Clemson my 10th grade year. I am not going to change that. I have been locked in for two years and that isn’t going to change. Period.”

Lane said he spoke with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, recruiter Chris Rumph and running backs coach Andre Powell following the Auburn visit, and he said that they were just making sure he was still a Clemson Tiger.

“They were asking how the visit was,” he said. “But they know they don’t have anything to worry about, anyhow. I am sure they know that. I love everything about Clemson – the surroundings, the people and the atmosphere.”

The 6-1, 205-pounder said he has been told he will have a chance to compete for playing time as a freshman, and he said he is ready to work hard and show the coaching staff he has what it takes to contribute.

“I watch a lot of Adrian Peterson, and I watch C.J. Spiller and a lot of backs,” Lane said. “I know a lot of people compare me to Arian Foster [Houston Texans running back ]. I think I am a balanced back. I can run through tackles, but I can outside because I have good speed and good power. I think I bring a little bit of everything to the game. If I have a chance to blast somebody, that is what I am going to do. If I can just run by somebody, then I am going to do that. I just have to go with my instincts on a particular play.”