Recruiting: Diomande Excited About Opportunity at Clemson

by TigerNet Staff - Fri Feb 06 16:16:03 GMT-04:00 2004

Andrew Diomande
Wide receiver Christopher Columbus High School (Miami,Fla) 6'2", 190 lbs., 4.5 With his uncle, Andre Wadsworth, starring at Florida State, Andrew Diomande attended more than his fair share of games, and was a big fan of the Seminoles. Although he was loyal to the Seminoles, he was also a fan of the talented players who would try to lead their teams to victory against the ACC's finest. Among those players were guys like Clemson's Woody Dantzler and Derrick Hamilton. Diomande not only loved what he saw with those players, but with the program as a whole. As his senior season, which included 41 receptions for 641 yards and six touchdowns, came to an end, Diomande had hopes of possibly playing for Clemson. With a talented group of wide receivers already in tact and the arrival of fellow Floridian Mike McIntosh, however, it seemed Diomande was destined to play at Auburn, who had offered him a scholarship.

That was, however, until McIntosh backed out of his verbal agreement, and chose the University of Florida. With the help of a few calls from his uncle, Diomande was able to land the scholarship that was intended for McIntosh. "Florida was the best fit for him, and I wish him the best of luck," Diomande said. "Him choosing Florida opened the gate for me. If he wouldn't have changed his mind, I would have gone to Auburn." "I am excited about going to Clemson because it is a great program and I have heard they have a good business school, and I plan to major in business. They have a good young quarterback, and I hope to be playing next season. If I don't I will redshirt." Diomande, who will make his first visit to Clemson in two weeks, has already qualified academically (1170 SAT), and will send his signed papers to Clemson this evening. Ron West recruited Diomande for the Tigers. 2004 Signees #1 OL Taylor Tremel (6-4, 260, 5.0) Lake Mary, FL #2 WR Aaron Kelly (6-5, 174) Marietta, GA #3 DB Brandon Croley (6-0, 180) Jacksonville, FL #4 OL Bobby Hutchinson (6-4, 270, 5.1) Greenville, FL #5 OL Tony Willis (6-6, 305, 5.3) Highland Springs, VA #6 DB Adrian Kindred (6-2, 198) Opelika, AL #7 DL Elsmore Gabriel (6-4, 250, 4.89) Brooklyn, NY #8 ATH Phillip Morris (6-3, 192) Timmonsville, SC #9 QB Cullen Harper (6-3, 200, 4.8) Alpharetta, GA #10 DL Dorell Scott (6-4, 295) Columbia, SC #11 DB Chris Clemons (6-1, 180) Arcadia, FL #12 QB Tribble Reese (6-3, 190) Birmingham, AL #13 ATH La'Donte Harris (6-0, 180, 4.5) Gadsden, AL #14 TE Akeem Robinson (6-5, 259) Miami, FL #15 TE/DE Xavier Littleberry (6-6, 240) Camden Military #16 TE Phillip Merling (6-5 255, 4.7) Cordova, TN #17 DB Michael Hamlin (6-2, 184) Lamar, SC #18 OL Barry Richardson (6-7, 330) Mt Pleasant, SC #19 LB Courtney Vincent (6-1, 220) Allendale, SC #20 DT Rashaad Jackson (6-4, 290) Union, SC #21 OL Cory Lambert (6-7, 290, 5.0) Greenville, SC #22 LB Alex Pearson (6-2 240, 4.7) Greenville, SC #23 ATH Durrell Barry (6-5, 245) Summerville, SC #24 DT Corey Groover (6-3, 282) Summit, MS (SW Miss JUCO) #25 WR Andrew Diomande (6-2, 190) Miami, FL