Tigers in running for one of Georgia's best defensive ends

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu May 05 11:00:05 GMT-04:00 2011

One of the top defensive end prospects in Georgia picked up an offer from the Clemson Tigers back in March, and he says his next step in the recruiting process is to make it to Clemson for a game this fall.

Jenkins County’s (Millen, Ga.) James Deloach James Deloach
Defensive Line
6-3, 260
Millen, GA
View Full Profile told TigerNet this week that he wants to see a game in Death Valley in person.

“I have a heard a lot about their fans,” DeLoach said. “I haven’t been invited by the coaches to a specific game as of yet, but I am sure that invite is coming. I want to get up there and see what it’s all about. I know a little bit about Clemson because some of my close friends are going there this year.”

DeLoach said his offer came from his recruiter of record – offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell – and he talks to Caldwell quite frequently.

“We are always talking back and forth on Facebook,” he said. “I really like him. He is a pretty cool guy. He is always checking in on me and stuff like that. He also said that he is probably going to come down here next week to see me.”

DeLoach (6-3, 265) has 12 offers to this point, with Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida St., Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt all hoping to land a player who played just four games his junior season.

He broke his arm in the fifth game of the season, but still managed to garner 8.5 sacks and says he will be completely healthy this season.

He also said he wants to play an entire season with teammate Jonathan Taylor Jonathan Taylor
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 315
Millen, GA
View Full Profile – a defensive tackle prospect who has also been offered by the Tigers – and possibly even beyond.

“A lot of the same schools that are recruiting me are recruiting him,” he said. “He has been there for me through the whole recruiting process, and he is the one person I know I can trust. I have known him a long time, and we have each other’s back. We would love to play together in college.”

DeLoach said that in the past his preference would have been to go to an SEC school, but the Tigers have made quite an impression in a short amount of time.

“Clemson is really coming on with me,” he said. “That is another reason why I want to get up there.”