Tigers gaining ground with elite Florida playmaker Frank Ladson

Ladson says he had a great conversation with Jeff Scott last week

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Feb 24 08:01:02 GMT-04:00 2018

After a visit for Clemson’s elite junior day and a recent phone conversation with co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott, Clemson has ascended to the top of Frank Ladson’s list.

Ladson – the Miami (FL) South Dade wide receiver – is ranked as the No. 9 receiver and the No. 46 overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to Rivals. The 247 rankings have him rated as the No. 125 overall prospect and No. 23 receiver in the nation. ESPN has Ladson rated as the No. 37 player overall in the ESPN Junior 300, and the No. 4 wide receiver in the nation.

Ladson and Scott – who also serves as Clemson’s wide receiver’s coach had a long phone conversation earlier this week spanning every topic from academics, Ladson’s life away from football and what Clemson has to offer.

“Clemson is definitely one of my top schools right now. Me and Coach Scott have a really good relationship,” Ladson told TigerNet earlier this week. “We talked about school and track for me right now and things going on at Clemson.”

Scott is somewhat stingy with wide receiver offers, only offering those he sees as a fit at Clemson both on and on the field – and Ladson said he’s honored to be Clemson’s primary wide receiver target for the 2019 recruiting cycle.

“That tells me that I've had a great career and he sees the potential in me to even consider me to be one of the wide receivers to come to Clemson and be a part of Clemson,” Ladson said.

Ladson said Scott is telling him he can follow in the footsteps of Nuk Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, and others.

“The '9 man' or the 'X receiver.' Sammy (Watkins) played there a little but he also played the '2-man.' My size, speed and advantage in one-on-one matchups make me a fit for that position,” he said. “Of course, I can go up and get the ball and high-point it.”

Ladson boasts 18 offers, including Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida St., Georgia, Miami (FL), South Carolina, and North Carolina. But, it’s Clemson that stands out so far in the recruiting process.

“I’m planning to visit Clemson for the spring game.,” he said. “They're very high and one of my favorites. They're one of my top schools right now. I hope to make a decision before my senior season. I'm not sure. I just know I want to get it done before my season starts.”

Ladson, a former Florida Gators commitment, posted 29 catches for 675 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior.