Complete turnaround in Peach State recruiting for Tigers

by TigerNet Staff - Thu Aug 02 10:27:57 GMT-04:00 2012

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has Georgia on his mind, and not the university but the state.

The Clemson Tigers were shut out of the state of Georgia in the 2012 recruiting cycle, a fact that Swinney vowed to change when he spoke to the media during his press conference on national signing day.

He has been true to his word – the Tigers currently have 16 commitments for the 2013 recruiting cycle, and seven of those commitments hail from the Peach State.

And we aren’t talking about just any recruits. The Tigers are going into Georgia and bringing out some of the state’s best players, including Robert Nkemdiche Robert Nkemdiche
Defensive End
6-5, 275
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile of Loganville’s Grayson High School. Nkemdiche is rated by many services as not only the best player in the state of Georgia, but in the entire nation.

The Clemson coaching staff hosted the inaugural All In Cookout two weekends ago on the Clemson campus, a chance for many recruits to spend time with Clemson’s current players and coaching staff. The Cookout did the trick, as the Tigers took commitments from two of Georgia’s best players - running back Tyshon Dye Tyshon Dye
Running Back
6-1, 210
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile of Elberton and wide receiver De Marcus Robinson Marcus Robinson
Linebacker
6-3, 215
Memphis, TN
View Full Profile of Fort Valley.

Dye is the No. 10-rated player in the state according to ESPN.com, and he lands at No. 118 in ESPN’s Top 150. Robinson is rated as the No. 17 player in the state, and he stands at No. 156 in ESPN’s Top 300.

ESPN has Marietta’s Ryan Jenkins Ryan Jenkins
Wide Receiver
5-11, 177
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile rated as the No. 30 player in the state, but Jenkins has tons of upside and could be a difference-maker the instant he steps on campus. Jenkins – brother of Clemson defensive back Martin Jenkins – chose Clemson over Oklahoma St., announcing his decision on national television at Nike’s The Opening in Oregon in early July.

Stepping in at No. 43 on ESPN’s list is running back Wayne Gallman Wayne Gallman
Running Back
6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile , a teammate of Nkemdiche at Grayson and Clemson’s initial recruit out of the state for 2013. The Tigers also have commitments from offensive lineman Maverick Morris Maverick Morris
Offensive Tackle
6-5, 290
Douglas, GA
View Full Profile – a player the Clemson coaches feel is vastly underrated – and Grayson defensive back David Kamara David Kamara

5-11, 185
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile .

The good news is that the Tigers may not be done in the state just yet. Montravius Adams Montravius Adams
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 281
Vienna, GA
View Full Profile of Vienna’s Dooly County High School is rated as the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the nation, and he told TigerNet last weekend that the Tigers are likely to make his final cut amid rumors that his decision will come down to Clemson and Auburn.