Tigers take aim at elite defensive tackle

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Mon Apr 28 11:18:27 GMT-04:00 2014

The recruiting process can be difficult and a little overwhelming for any teenager, but Tim Settle Tim Settle
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 305
Manassas, VA
ESPN:
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The 5-star defensive tackle out of Manassas (VA) Stonewall Jackson boasts over 40 offers from across the country and said that he feels like the president sometimes with all of the interview requests and coaches reaching out to him.

“I've got 40 offers. It's a lot of trouble, but I handle it really well,” Settle told TigerNet Sunday night. “I'm completely in control of it. I call coaches whenever I want. It like you're the president. I feel like the president. It kind of gets boring after a while. People are hitting me up all of the time. I can't even post a Facebook status without somebody saying, 'Wahoo or Hokies or something.' I like it. I feel like I'm the principal.”

Settle is ranked as the No. 10 player in the ESPN Top 150, and he is ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle prospect nationally. Considering the Tigers are losing tackle Grady Jarrett, Josh Watson and DeShawn Williams following the 2014 season, Settle would be a huge pickup for the Tigers as the coaches try and rebuild along both lines of scrimmage.

The Clemson coaching staff has taken the time to recruit Settle over the last year, making the 6-2, 307-pound prospect take note of the Tigers.

“Me and Clemson have gotten really close,” Settle said. “They are going to be a top five team. They are recruiting me a lot. That's what I base things off of. If you are going to recruit me, I'm most likely going to go to your school. If you don't recruit me, I'm not going to go to your school.”

Settle and recent Clemson commit Sterling (VA) Dominion linebacker Chad Smith Chad Smith
Linebacker
6-4, 215
Sterling, VA
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“Me and Chad met this year,” Settle said. “We went to Clemson together. He's a great kid. He has a plan. He knows what he wants to do and I know he's going to be successful. He has fire. I love being around those type of people.”

Even with all of the attention that he is getting from coaches, reporters, fellow players and fans, Settle has taken the time to formulate a plan and timeline for his commitment. However, with offers from schools like Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, narrowing the list down won’t be an easy task.

“I have a top 40 right now,” Settle said. “I want to have top 14 by August. After my senior season, I want to have a top 5 and commit with a top 3. I don't really know when I'll commit. I might surprise y'all. It's not going to be until after the season, but I might give a little sneak peak at [Nike's] The Opening. I might narrow it down to a top 20 or something there.”