Recruiting: Hamlin Follows His Heart in the End

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Feb 09 10:51:14 GMT-04:00 2004

Michael Hamlin Defensive back Lamar High School (Lamar, SC) 6'3", 191 lbs. Calls made to Lamar High School in the days leading up to National Signing Day usually went the same way. Michael Hamlin, a defensive back who helped lead the Silver Foxes to the 1-A state title game, was going to make his announcement early Wednesday morning. As to where he was going, no one knew. Not even him. "I was looking at Clemson, Duke, and North Carolina, and my choice was an on again/off again type thing," Hamlin said. "I made my final decision on the day before Signing Day. I didn't say anything to anyone because I still wasn't sure where I was going." In the end, Hamlin followed his heart, choosing the school that he has always loved. "I chose Clemson because they were always my favorite team as a kid, and I decided that if I was ever given the chance to go there, I would," Hamlin said. "When I knew for sure I would be able to go there, my mind was made up." As big of a relief as it is for Hamlin to be a Tiger, he is also happy with the fact that the recruiting process is finally over. "When it first started, it wasn't that bad, and I thought I would be able to handle it," Hamlin said. "But towards the end, it got real crazy. I would get calls at all hours, and it was usually the same questions. Hamlin, who has already qualified academically, has been told that how he fits into the Tigers' plans is up to him. "The coaches have said that the playing time I get depends on me," Hamlin said. "If I want to play and show them that, I will get a chance." Clemson assistant Burton Burns recruited Hamlin for the Tigers. Michael Hamlin Bio Finalist for Mr. Football in South Carolina…ranked as 11th best safety in the nation by Tom Lemming…rated as the 26th best safety by collegefootballnews.com…Defensive Player of the Year in South Carolina according to the High School Sports Report…all-state by the same service in 2002 and 2003…played in the 2003 Shrine Bowl for South Carolina…Class A Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003…All-Region selections each of his last three years…named to WPDE All-Zone team in 2003…all-state in all classifications for 2003…had 23 interceptions during his career at Lamar High School…member of the 2003 state championship baseball team…All-Regional choice during his career in football, basketball and baseball…member of the Lamar High School BETA Club…member of FCA…threw three passes in 2003 and two went for touchdown, including one to his brother in the state championship game…had 20 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns, he was the team’s top receiver…also had 9-148 in punt returns, a 16.4 average, and 7-179 in kickoff returns, 25.6 per return…led the team in interceptions with four…had 65 tackles for the season, fourth on the team……played his high school football for J.R. Boyd at Lamar High School…comes to Clemson from the same school that sent former Clemson All-American and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro Levon Kirkland to Clemson…. Born Michael Leon Hamlin on November 21, 1985