Nation's No. 1 OL discusses "eye-opening" Clemson visit |
Jackson Carman is the offensive lineman everybody wants. Urban Meyer and Ohio St. want him.
Dabo Swinney and the defending national champ Clemson Tigers want him. Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide want him.
Those are three of the four teams that were in last year’s College Football Playoff. Clemson defeated Ohio St. 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl in the semifinal, then advanced to defeat Alabama 35-31 in the title game. Those three teams are also the top three teams on Carman’s list of favorites, and the 5-star tackle out of Fairfield (OH) spoke with TigerNet Sunday night about his recruiting, and about what sets Clemson apart from the other programs. Carman is rated as the No. 1 tackle in the nation by Rivals (fourth player overall nationally), the No. 1 tackle by ESPN (and fourth overall in the ESPN300), and 247 rates Carman as the No. 1 tackle and seventh player nationally. The 6-6, 305-pounder recently listed Clemson as his favorite – he said Clemson was 1A with Ohio St. as 1B – with Alabama trailing the two leaders. Clemson jumped to the top after a recent visit, and he told TigerNet what he loves about Clemson. “Everything about Clemson,” Carman said. “The facilities. The campus, the weather and the environment. And most importantly, the people.” Carman went on to say that he feels like he fits in at Clemson. “The best thing I like about Clemson is who they recruit and how they recruit,” he said. “I like the fact they've never signed a JUCO player, how they won't offer just any guys. It’s based on character and I just feel like I fit in really well there.” Carman spent time with two Tiger offensive linemen and offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell on his visit. “They told me they wanted me to start right away and they said they wish I was playing for them right now,” he said. “I saw the whole campus and facilities and I spent the night with John Simpson and Cade Stewart.” Carman told ESPN the visit put Clemson in front. “Just experiencing [Clemson's] whole environment, facilities, meeting with the coaches and players, it was better than any other place I’ve visited so far,” he said. “I would probably say it’s 1A and 1B with Clemson and Ohio State. Seeing everything was eye-opening and awesome.” Carman has already made plans to come back for the All-In Cookout in July, and he wants to bring his family with him. He also wants to make it back during the season for one of his five official visits. He wasn’t on hand for this past weekend’s spring game, but he took notice of everything happening in Clemson, including the fact that defensive end Xavier Thomas committed to the Tigers. Thomas, a 5-star, joins quarterback and fellow 5-star Trevor Lawrence as the headliners of the 2018 class, and Carman took notice. “I think if we get all of the guys we think we can get, it would be the best class in the history of recruiting,” Carman said. “And guys like Trevor Lawrence that I've talked to are great kids, too.” Congrats X, we got a chance to make history together ????? #ALLIN https://t.co/wXFrfq9AMX Reporter: So what is now your top school? Had an ecstatic time at @TheOpening this weekend. Feels good to #GetOpen ?????? pic.twitter.com/PaxxI1s1XZ Buckeye targets Jackson Carman vs Tyreke Smith pic.twitter.com/3AtgIploYl Jackson Carman showing why he's the top-rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2018: pic.twitter.com/z7jiYI475p Fairfield (OH) O-lineman Jackson Carman wins one battle vs. Cleveland Heights D-end Tyreke Smith at The Nike Opening in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/MHOix4hGTZ
Me: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY! ???? #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/CD24Ey0gUG
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