Tigers in top three for NC lineman

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Nov 11 00:31:23 GMT-04:00 2011

Three-star lineman D.J. Reader D.J. Reader

Offensive Line

6-4, 330

Greensboro, NC

View Full Profile told TigerNet Thursday evening that he plans to make his decision regarding his college choice following the Shrine Bowl Game in December.

Reader, out of Greensboro (NC) Grimsley visited Clemson for its 59-38 victory over North Carolina last month, and the 6-3, 305-pounder said that he has his list narrowed down to three schools and will make his decision following Shrine Bowl week.

The Tigers are recruiting the No. 17 prospect in North Carolina to play nose guard.

“I have a top three of Maryland, Clemson and North Carolina,” Reader said. “After the Shrine Bowl, which is December 10th through the 17th, I am going to sit down and figure things out. I have two more official visits I can take, and I might take them in January. Right now, I am debating whether to take another visit to Clemson or not.

Reader said he liked different things about the three schools.

“Maryland is a place where you can get a good education,” he said. “They have a new staff, but that place is right in the mainstream of Washington, D.C., and after college you can work at a good business. Clemson is just big-time football. They like to play young kids early, and they have had a good season this year. And Coach [Dabo] Swinney is young and fired up about things. And you can get a good education at North Carolina.”

He said he spoke with defensive line coach Dan Brooks on his visit last month, and likes that the Tigers have a track record with defensive line players.

“It helps that their program is looked at by the pros, and they teach their players the right way,” he said. “I really enjoyed that visit, and enjoyed the campus and the facilities. I like all of the coaches on their staff.”

Reader said he hears comparisons to a former Nebraska player.

“People tell me that I remind them of a young Ndamukong Suh,” he said. “I play hard every play and I am pretty athletic. I have also heard that I remind people of Melvin Ingram of South Carolina.”