Clemson ranked in Top 10 of ESPN recruiting rankings

Lawrence is one of the top recruits ever signed by Clemson

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Wed Jan 20 11:05:16 GMT-04:00 2016

Clemson moved up three spots to a #8 ranking in the latest ESPN 2016 team recruiting rankings.

"Clemson is becoming a fixture in the top 10 under Dabo Swinney, and five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has the Tigers headed towards another top-10 finish," ESPN Insider said. "ESPN 300 running back Tavien Feaster got the ball rolling with a commitment on national signing day 2015, and has since been joined by ESPN 300 quarterback Zerrick Cooper. ESPN 300 receiver Diondre Overton was a big win Jan. 3rd, while four-star Tavares Chase is yet another talented receiver from the Tampa area. The team added size and speed on defense late in the summer with Under Armour All-America Game inside linebacker Tre' Lamar and ESPN 300 end Xavier Kelly, and were joined by ESPN 300 outside linebacker Rahshaun Smith during the Under Armour All-America Game."

Clemson had nine prospects in the ESPN 300 including defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (#6 overall), linebacker Rahshaun Smith (#21 overall), running back Tavien Feaster (#53 overall), linebacker Tre Lamar (#89 overall), wide receiver Diondre Overton (#135 overall), defensive end Xavier Kelly (#154 overall), offensive guard Sean Pollard (#173 overall), quarterback Zerrick Cooper (#217 overall) and defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney (#261 overall).

The Tigers have seven midyear enrollees already on campus with defensive end LaSamuel Davis, offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum, linebacker Tre Lamar, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney, offensive guard Sean Pollard and linebacker Rahshaun Smith.

The Top 10 team rankings included Ohio State (#1), LSU (#2), Ole Miss (#3), Florida State (#4), Michigan (#5), Florida (#6), Georgia (#7), Clemson (#8), Auburn (#9) and Alabama (#10).

Interestingly, the ACC had a strong showing with seven in the Top 36 team recruiting ranking with Florida State (#4), Clemson (#8), Miami (#15), Duke (#27), North Carolina (#29), Louisville (#33) and Virginia Tech (#36).