Tiger Source Preview: Clemson Adds Third O-Lineman Commitment

by TigerNet Staff - Wed Jul 21 10:19:24 GMT-04:00 2004

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Thomas Austin

Camden, SC (Camden HS)

6-4, 265

Clemson picked up its third offensive line commitment of the year Wednesday. Camden, SC's Thomas Austin announced his commitment in Wednesday's edition of the Camden Chronicle.

The Camden High School program has a great tradition where the local newspaper gets the story first. Austin is rated as one of the top three lineman and one of the top twelve prospects in the state this year.

Clemson has been Austin's leader from some time now and he had maintained he would end his recruiting before his senior season began.

"I will make a commitment before the season," said Austin earlier this month. "I just do not want my recruiting to be a distraction to my team. My first priority is to my teammates and my school. I want to give them my entire attention so I will get recruiting finished before my season. I want to make a major run at a state title in my senior season."

The summer has been busy for Austin. "I camped at Clemson's 3-day camp and it went well. I got a chance to work one-on-one with Coach Scott. I went to Vandy's 1-day camp and worked with Coach Caldwell. I also went to Auburn's 1-day camp."

Austin said he graded out at 85% as a junior and wants to improve that figure in 2004.

Austin joins Belton, SC's Barry Humphries and Tallahassee, FL's Quentez Ruffin as Clemson offensive line commitments for the Class of 2005. The Tigers will look to sign four or five offensive linemen in February. Clemson is also the solid leader for Jamarcus Grant of Mullin, SC.

Austin had offers from Clemson, Penn State, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Maryland

“He is a very bright prospect (3.4 GPA, 1,100 SAT) and his staff talks about what a high character kid he is. Austin should play on the interior line at Clemson,” said Tiger Source editor Mickey Plyler. “This is another sign that Clemson continues to establish its in-state presence in this class. It also is a good pick up for Brad Scott.“

Mickey Plyler will have Austin on his radio show "The Overdrive" Wednesday afternoon at 3:30.

Clemson Commitments

1. OL Barry Humphries 6-3, 291, 4.9 Belton-Honea Path (5/25)

2. WR Tyler Grisham 5-11, 185, 4.4 Hoover, AL (6/10)

3. WR Rendrick Taylor 6-2, 210, 4.4 Marlboro County (6/11)

4. RB Tony Nelson 5-10, 190, 4.45 Germantown, MD (6/20)

5. TE Paul Muse 6-5, 245 Jacksonville, FL (7/9)

6. DB Hadrian Lewis 6-1, 175, 4.45 Goose Creek, SC Stratford HS (7/14)

7. OL Quentez Ruffiin 6-5, 285 Tallahassee, FL Leon HS (7/15)

8. OL Thomas Austin 6-4, 265 Camden, SC Camden HS (7/21)