Clemson signees add 5-star, top-250 rank in new Rivals rankings

Mascoll moved into the top-250 prospects ranked by Rivals in their final 2018 rankings.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 12:39 PM

Justin Mascoll - Defensive End
TigerNet: (4.75)

Height: 6-4 Weight: 237 Hometown: Snellville, GA (South Gwinnett HS) Class: 2018

ESPN:

#102 Overall, #12 DE, #16 GA

Rivals:

#248 Overall, #12 DE, #30 GA

24/7:

#109 Overall, #8 WDE, #15 GA

Rivals.com released its post-all-star game rankings, where receiver signee Derion Kendrick and defensive end signee Justin Mascoll were among a few Tigers to make some moves.

Kendrick moved up 13 spots to No. 30 overall to join 33 total five-star 2018 prospects. That group is led at the top by Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and also includes defensive end Xavier Thomas (No. 5 overall), left tackle Jackson Carman (16) and defensive end K.J. Henry (26).

Four-star cornerback Kyler McMichael rounds out the current Clemson top-100 prospects at No. 53, moving up 32 spots.

Four-star DE signee Justin Mascoll cracked the Rivals250 (248).

“Mascoll had a good showing at Army Bowl week,” Rivals’ Chad Simmons wrote. “He has gotten stronger and he showed active hands in drills, he played tougher and he flashed his quickness off the edge. Clemson's defensive front has been strong in recent years and Mascoll could be next in line.”

Kendrick and McMichael also showcased their skills in front of scouts at the Army Bowl.

Kendrick, who played QB at South Pointe, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina and was a finalist for national player of the year after 50 total touchdowns and nearly 4,000 total yards (3,918) in South Pointe’s state championship run.

McMichael played running back and cornerback at Greater Atlanta Christian, totaling 1,483 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns with an 11.6 yards per carry average and adding 19 tackles.

Mascoll posted 59 tackles in 2017, including 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

A notable difference from 247Sports’ newly-released rankings is defensive tackle signee Josh Belk, who is rated as a five-star and the No. 25 overall prospect there, and not in Rivals’ top-250 prospects. Belk was given a four-star rating and bumped up to the No. 21 DT on Rivals. LB signee Mike Jones Jr. is also in 247’s top-200 prospects.

#Clemson QB signee Trevor Lawrence to future teammate Derion Kendrick: https://t.co/9gfsBorwTC pic.twitter.com/xINwUxiBtq
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 1, 2018

Tight coverage from Patrick Surtain Jr. but #Clemson signee Derion Kendrick with the great grab. pic.twitter.com/p0h7cbvwa9
— Gabe Brooks (@gabrieldbrooks) January 2, 2018

What a grab by #Clemson bound WR Derion Kendrick from his QB Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/piI3XmSawb
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

#Clemson commit Derion Kendrick is a dynamic guy. Shining early at @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl Practice: https://t.co/qhTT9B0cMT pic.twitter.com/l5LfX0Lk44
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 1, 2018

#Clemson 4-star signee Kyler McMichael at #ArmyBowl practice pic.twitter.com/t7o1lcSJVh
— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) January 1, 2018

#Clemson CB commit Kyler McMichael with a downfield INT at @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl. He had a PBU on the very next play. Same scenario pic.twitter.com/d6T6CYv9bl
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018