4-star DT commits to Clemson

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Aug 21, 2015, 2:27 PM

Nyles Pinckney - Defensive Tackle
TigerNet: (4.34)

Height: 6-3 Weight: 290 Hometown: Seabrook, SC (Whale Branch HS) Class: 2016

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4-star 2016 defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney Nyles Pinckney
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 290
Seabrook, SC
ESPN:
View Full Profile from Seabrook, South Carolina (Whale Branch HS) committed to Clemson over his other finalists South Carolina, Georgia and Georgia Tech on Friday at a ceremony in his school's gymnasium.

Pinckney had offers from Alabama, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. Clemson was the first school to offer him.

The commitment is a big-time get for the Clemson coaching staff because it reels in another top in-state talent to the Tigers and away from the Gamecocks. He is Clemson's 11th commitment for the 2016 recruiting class.

TigerNet.com spoke with Pinckney after his unofficial visit to Clemson's annual All-In Cookout.

“It was good. I was just there having fun, and the food was great,” Pinckney said. “It was nice to see Coach [Dan] Brooks, Coach Swinney and Coach [Tony] Elliott.”

A big determinant in his recruitment was Clemson's family feel with the coaches and players.

“What stood out for me was seeing all of the coaches,” Pinckney said. “We didn't really talk about football. I was just having a good time getting to know the players. They just wanted us to focus on getting to know them like family, and they wanted to get to know us better.”

As a junior, Pinckney made 98 tackles, 27 for loss, had nine sacks, blocked three field goals, 10 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, he had 76 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, four sacks, two punt blocks, an interception and two defensive touchdowns. As a freshman, Pinckney made 91 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and had seven sacks.

Pinckney plans to enroll early at Clemson in January.