Opening Insider: Constantin's "All In" cleats are the talk of The Opening

Bryton Constantin's customized Nike cleats

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sun Jul 01 21:26:51 GMT-04:00 2018

FRISCO, TX – The prospects that are invited to attend Nike’s The Opening each year are allowed to design a pair of cleats that they can wear during the event. Clemson linebacker commit Bryton Constantin picked up his cleats late Saturday and they’ve been the talk of camp since then.

Constantin, out of Baton Rouge (LA), knew that he wanted to incorporate pieces of his current and future home in his design.

“I knew what I was going to put on them from the moment they sent me the email to customize my own cleats,” Constantin said. “I knew that I was going to put one from Louisiana and one from Clemson because those are the two biggest states in my life right now.”

The design has the Clemson area code on his right foot, the Louisiana area code on the left, All In on the right foot and DABOOT (Louisiana) on the left. They are also extremely colorful.

Constantin has also been recruiting.

“I’ve been talking to the other Clemson commit that’s here - Frank Ladson. I’ve been doing a little bit of recruiting and talking to some guys, but I’m not going to name any names,” he said.

*Clemson linebacker target Nakobe Dean has drawn rave reviews. He is thick, as you would expect out of a middle linebacker, but he’s quick as well. He can move. During the “Cat and Mouse” drill he was able to chase down running backs with ease.

He told me that he is in constant contact with defensive coordinator Brent Venables, and he says that Venables has told him that if he comes to Clemson, his first play will be a blitz.

Dean said Clemson is right there at the top with his leaders.

*Several Oklahoma writers have come up to me asking about Venables. They all say the same thing – Oklahoma really missed Venables. I’ve told each one they can’t have him back.

One Oklahoma writer told me that the Sooners have a good recruiting class at wide receiver, but he would trade any one of them for Frank Ladson.

*Georgia defensive end commit Nolan Smith, one of the best players in the nation for this cycle, came over to me and smiled and said, “Tell Coach Venables Clemson still has a chance.” More on that later.

*Defensive back Jaydon Hill was at Dabo Swinney’s camp in June and he’s been impressive in Texas. He told me he enjoyed the visit to Clemson, loves the facilities and that Clemson would be higher on his list if the Tigers would offer. He said South Carolina is showing the most love at this point.

*I loved this event in Oregon because of the weather, but I’ve been told Frisco might be the spot from now on because of it’s central location, the Dallas airport and the availability of hotels near the complex.