Instant analysis: Josh Belk signs with Clemson

Belk credited a family feeling to Clemson in committing last January.

by TigerNet Staff - Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 8:16 AM

Josh Belk - Defensive Tackle
TigerNet: (4.34)

Height: 6-3 Weight: 309 Hometown: Richburg, SC (Lewisville HS) Class: 2018

ESPN:

#96 Overall, #7 DT, #2 SC

Rivals:

#21 DT, #5 SC

24/7:

#25 Overall, #1 DT, #2 SC

Lewisville High School (S.C.) four-star defensive tackle Josh Belk signed his NLI with Clemson Wednesday morning.

The U.S. Army All-American team selection committed to Clemson in January.

"When I got my first offer to Clemson in 2015, I knew there was a different feeling," Belk told TigerNet, "and a great environment and I liked Clemson from the beginning...Every time I'm down there, there's a family feeling."

More on Belk...

Josh Belk - 4-star DT - Lewisville HS (S.C.)

Committed since: 1/29/17

Recruiter: Jeff Scott

Listed size: 6-3 309

Brings to Clemson: Belk dominated the Class A-level and earned a spot on the U.S. Army All-American team by racking up the tackles - several for loss - with his combination of size, speed and strength. He's also shown the ability to stay with a play and chase a tackler downfield, and knock down passes at the line. He follows in a long line of Tiger prospects who occupy plenty of space and also move well. Assistant coach Todd Bates said on Clemson's signing day show Wednesday that he is a "man's man" and "strong as an ox." Bates shared that he is such a beast that he was lifting weights right before a football game.

"He's going to be one of those guys who is a hard guy to move," Clemson recruiting coordinator Brandon Streeter said Wednesday. "He is a big man and strong. He plays into exactly what Brent likes to do. Just disrupt guys upfront, get penetration and just tackles for loss - it's something that's been special around here defensively and he majors in that."

Depth chart fit: Belk will have to break through at a spot with some depth next season, where an All-American candidate returns in Dexter Lawrence. He may very well be competing with another freshman signee and early enrollee in Darnell Jefferies for either first-year time or a redshirt.