Possible Early Commitments? |
Recruiting has changed quite a bit in the last few years. The numbers of players committing early has continued to grow in recent years. At this point in time, it does not appear that Clemson will have the sheer numbers in commitments the staff held at the end of July 2004. Those who have followed recruiting in the past know all to well that nothing is certain until Signing Day.
Here are some of the players that have hinted that a decision could come down this summer. This list does not mean we are forecasting these players as Clemson commitments. Ricky Sapp: Ron West has done a tremendous job recruiting Sapp. Clemson is very high on Sapp's list, and Sapp has hinted that a commitment could land this summer. Sapp may be more likely destined for a September/October commitment. He would really like to see the bandit position before making a decision. Byron Maxwell: Maxwell was heavily favoring Clemson early in the process. He has cooled off a little, but Clemson is still in very good shape. Georgia and Florida will make strong pushes, but Burton Burns has been working on Maxwell for quite some time. Maxwell is very familiar with the campus and the coaching staff. D'Vontrey Richardson: Richardson has stated that he will make a decision before his senior season begins. He will be on campus for the 7 on 7 camp at Clemson. Clemson is the only school Richardson has gone on record with as a leader. He would like to go to school with his teammate Lavelle Parker, but it does not appear they will have similiar options. Alabama could wind up being the team the Tigers have to beat for Richardson. Crezdon Butler: Butler was hoping for an offer from Clemson, and many believed when he received his offer he would commit. Butler is taking his time, but Marion Hobby has put the Tigers in good position. NC State is making a very strong push for Butler as are some other big programs. This appears to be a battle between the Tigers and Wolfpack. Butler is one of the top 10 players in North Carolina this season. Ben Alexander: This is a situation that is a little more difficult to get a read on. Several schools jumped on Alexander early, but Clemson waited before pulling the trigger. Alexander has been on the fence between waiting it out and making an early decision. He says if he wakes up one day and feels a certain school is the place he needs to be, he will speak to his parents and notify the coaches after. Michael Wade: Clemson has not offered Wade. They are still evaluating him and Nick Prochak of Spartanburg, SC. Also, Brent Schaeffer's decision could affect Wade and Prochak. If Schaeffer enrolls at Clemson, it will become less likely the staff extends an offer for Wade. Should Wade receive an offer, it would be very likely a commitment would come very shortly after. His situation is very similiar to Jamie Cumbie as he grew up a Clemson fan dreaming of Running Down The Hill. His father was a member of the 1981 National Championship Team. Players change their minds daily. Apparently, Urban Meyer and his staff were only ones he knew Carl Johnson was close to making a decision. Players will begin taking unofficial visits and trips to camps very soon. After players get a feel for the campuses and coaches, they will begin to have an idea of where they would like to attend. Several times players visit a school and are in awstruck and make a snap decision. Cumbie will likely sit alone on the commitment board until the end of June. The staff could land a couple of commitments at the camp as they did last year, but right now it appears it could be a month or more before the next commitment falls in place.
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