Recruiting: Gabriel Ready To Trade New York for Clemson

by TigerNet Staff - Thu Jan 22 02:11:20 GMT-04:00 2004

Elsmore Gabriel

Defensive Line, Christ the King High School (Brooklyn, NY)

6'4 1/2", 250 lbs, 4.89

Bench presses 395 lbs.

Clemson commitment defensive end Elsmore Gabriel (6-4, 250) from Brooklyn, NY made his official visit to Clemson last weekend and got his first look at Clemson. Gabriel enjoyed the trip and said the differences between Clemson and New York are attractive to him.

"It's like night and day," said Gabriel. “It’s really different. I am going to get used to it though. I can have more clear thoughts. It’s not so busy and noisy all the time. It is going to be a good atmosphere to change to.”

Clemson linebacker Charles Bennett was his player host on his official visit, and Gabriel said he formed some friendships with fellow prospects Matt Raysor, Dorell Scott and Courtney Vincent.

Gabriel injured his foot after the first game of his senior season and did not come back till the last three games of the season. In those games he had 30 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries for Christ The King High School.

“He is a big athletic kid with a frame to put on more weight,” said high school coach Kevin Kelly. “He plays basketball for us as well, and our basketball program is one of the best in the country. He is just a real hard working kid with great athletic ability.”

“I haven't watched Gabriel on tape, but he obviously has a magnetic personality in that a large group of prospects that we spoke to last week talked about how they bonded with him,” said recruiting analyst Mickey Plyler. “Clemson needs a couple of defensive ends. They offered early and stuck with him through the injury so they are obviously very high on him.”

The 6-foot-4, 250 pound defensive end selected the Tigers over Maryland, Virginia, Pittsburgh, UConn, and UMass.

“Clemson seemed so much more interested than other schools recruiting me,” said Gabriel. “They called when they had to. They were on time and prompt about it. My mother and father liked how persistent they were to get me.

“They have a winning tradition. Coach Tommy Bowden is a good coach, and it is going to be a good atmosphere to play in. The ACC is a new conference. I’m very excited to be there.”

Gabriel is also looking at some early playing time with the Tigers next year.

“Coach (Thielen) Smith said ‘if you do your best you are going to be out there’ so I am going to do my best when I get down there and see what happens."

Clemson assistant John Lovett is recruiting Gabriel for the Tigers.

Clemson Commitments

1. DB Brandon Croley (6-0, 180, 4.5) Jacksonville, FL

2. DT Cory Groover (6-3, 282) Summit, MS (SW Miss JUCO)

3. QB Cullen Harper (6-3, 200, 4.8) Alpharetta, GA

4. WR L'Dontae Harris (6-0, 180, 4.5) Gadsden, AL

5. OL Bobby Hutchinson (6-4, 270, 5.1) Greenville, FL

6. OL Taylor Tremel (6-4, 260, 5.0) Lake Mary, FL

7. LB Courtney Vincent (6-1, 220, 4.6) Allendale, SC

8. OL Tony Willis (6-6, 305, 5.3) Highland Springs, VA

9. DL Elemore Gabriel (6-4, 250, 4.89) Brooklyn, NY

10. DT Shaun Branscome (6-6, 255) Dublin, VA