Top OL target enjoys inaugural All In Cookout

Droogsma has said that Clemson and FSU are his top two

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Jul 21 20:36:58 GMT-04:00 2012

One of Clemson’s top offensive line targets for the 2013 recruiting cycle tells TigerNet he had a blast at the inaugural All In Cookout Friday evening, but the best news might be the fact that it was the first visit for one of his parents.

Gulf Breeze (FL) offensive guard Austin Droogsma Austin Droogsma
Offensive Guard
6-3, 310
Gulf Breeze, FL
View Full Profile made the trek to Clemson with both of his parents. His mother has already been to the campus twice with her son, but it was the first visit for Droogsma’s father, who was on the track team at Florida St.

“Both of my parents came up with me and they had a great time,” Droogsma told TigerNet. “That was the first time my dad has been able to go up there. My mom has been up there, but he hasn’t. He really liked it, and that is saying something because this is really one of the first ones he has ever liked.”

The 6-4, 305-pound 3-star prospect has offers from schools like Georgia Tech and Ole Miss, but has said that his top two are the home-state Seminoles and the Tigers. He said that Friday night’s cookout brought him closer to the Clemson coaches, but not closer to a decision.

“Clemson, they always treat me really, really well,” he said. “They are in it, and they will be in it until the day I make a decision. Both teams are still right there, dead even, 50-50. It is still hard to put one over the other. I like both of them so much. It really is kind of hard to say I like one more than the other.”

Droogma said he had fun hanging out with the Clemson coaches and players.

“It was fun, because I got to hang out with all of the players and get to know what it’s like for them on a daily basis and get to know what their life is like,” he said. “It was great to get up there and see them in their own element. I talked with several of the players, including Sammy [Watkins] and Cole Stoudt. I also talked with a few of the offensive linemen – Jay Guillermo and Dalton Freeman.”

He also got to spend time with line coach Robbie Caldwell.

“Coach Caldwell and I got to talk a good bit, and then I got to talk to Coach [Chad] Morris and Coach [Dabo] Swinney a good bit throughout the night," he said. "It was really laid back, and people were joking around and having great conversations. It was a good night.”

Droogsma said that Caldwell’s message to him was clear.

“He was excited about me possibly coming up there,” he said. “He thinks I would be a great addition to the line. I know they are really trying to build the line up, and get it back to where they want it because it is the heart and soul of the team. If the offensive line isn’t clicking, then the whole offense isn’t clicking.”