Tony Elliott checks in on Georgia RB ahead of Saturday commitment

Pryor visited Clemson for the spring game

by David Hood - Senior Writer - May 15, 2019, 7:01 AM

Tony Elliott spent Monday making one last spring visit to one of his top running back targets for the 2020 recruiting cycle.

Pryor is a 3-star playmaker out of Cedartown (GA) who is set to announce his college decision Saturday at Noon via a video on Twitter.

Pryor told TigerNet last week he’s already made his decision and notified the school. Clemson, UofSC, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU and Auburn were in his final group.

Elliott, Clemson’s co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach was at practice Monday afternoon and had a chance to talk with Pryor.

“He talked to him and stood out and watched practice,” Cedartown coach Doyle Kelly said. “Tony likes him because he’s a power back. He’s a big strong kid. He benches 355 pounds and power cleans 375. He squats 565. He’s one of the strongest kids that will come out next year. He’s a great power back. Coach Elliott got to see him catch the ball and run routes. Me and Tony talked about his character. He’s a very humble kid. He checks all the boxes.”

Auburn was an early leader for Pryor this spring, but Clemson offered in March during his junior day visit. That set up a return visit to Clemson for the Tigers’ spring game. The Tigers have appeared to lead since that visit.

Pryor rushed for 960 yards and nearly 10 yards per carry last season. He got limited work in the backfield because of the presence of West Virginia signee Tony Mathis.

“He was lined up in the slot a lot last season,” Kelly said. “But he’s a power back. He’ll run over your or around you. And he never comes off the field for us.”

Kelly said South Carolina’s coaches were last in about a week and a half ago and Florida State also was in for a recent visit, but other recruiters apparently are seeing the handwriting on the wall regarding Pryor’s plans.

Pryor told TigerNet that he feels at home at the school he has chosen.

“Just somewhere where I felt like I was at home and I felt like I could be around all the coaches and players,” Pryor said. “I just feel like I can come in and earn my position and learn the playbook. It’s just the way they would use me in their offense, and I think I can be a key player.”

What stands out about Clemson?

“It is a place that has a great vibe and a place where I feel like I am at home and feel like I am around family,” Pryor said.” I have a good relationship with Coach (Tony) Elliott. We talk almost every day, and I feel like I can talk to him almost any time. He tells me there is a good chance that I will get to play early. All I have to do is come in and compete because Travis Etienne will go to the draft after next year and Tavien Feaster just entered the transfer portal.”