New York's No.1 recruit has Clemson in his top two

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Mon Nov 26 21:29:00 GMT-04:00 2012

For the second straight recruiting cycle, the No. 1 recruit out of the state of New York not only has an offer from Clemson, but has the Tigers high on his list.

Last year, it was quarterback Chad KellyChad Kelly
Fr. Quarterback
#11 6-2, 210
Buffalo, NY
View Full Profile , who eventually signed with the Tigers as part of the 2012 recruiting class.

This season, it is 4-star defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko out of Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson, who received an offer from the Tigers earlier this fall. Ogundeko made his first trip to Clemson this past weekend, where he took in Clemson’s loss to South Carolina.

He told TigerNet that he enjoyed the trip.

“It was great. I enjoyed it,” Ogundeko said Monday. “The people were great, the coaches were great and the game atmosphere was really great. I got there on Friday afternoon and met with the coaches and then went back to my hotel. But I did get to meet with Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile , Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile and Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Fr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-6, 280
St. George, VA
View Full Profile .”

He also met up with Kelly, his fellow New Yorker.

“I got to talk to Chad a little bit,” he said. “He was telling me that he was the number one player from New York last season, and he was telling me about Clemson and what it would be like.”

Ogundeko said he also got to spend time with the coaches.

“I talked to all of the coaches,” he said. “I got to really talk to Coach [Brent] Venables, Coach [Marion] Hobby and Coach [Dabo] Swinney. They told me that they really wanted me to consider Clemson because they are like family down there. The coaches there are real and they mean everything they say. I also think I could play early there.”

The 6-4, 235-pounder already has taken visits to Arizona St. and Florida, and said the Tigers are in a fight with the Gators for his services.

“Clemson is in my top two,” he said. “They are in a fight with Florida, and I hope to make a decision in January.”

As a junior, he recorded 39 tackles and 11 sacks.