Tigers in Top Two for Another Player from Jacksonville

by TigerNet Staff - Fri Jul 16 00:55:20 GMT-04:00 2004

Ryan Stamper - Linebacker
Height: 6-3 Weight: 215 Hometown: Jacksonville, FL (First Coast HS) Class: 2005

ESPN: NR

Last week, Clemson received a verbal commitment from First Coast High School tight end Paul Muse, and now he has joined the Tigers in their pursuit of his teammate Ryan Stamper.

"Paul talks to me a lot about coming to Clemson. Every time I see him and his parents they talked to me about it."

Stamper has received offers from several schools, but Auburn and Clemson are his top choices. "I could see myself playing for Coach Blackwell or Coach Whitt (Auburn LB Coach). It will be a very difficult decision for me, which hopefully I will have before the summer is over."

Clemson has had very talented players from city of Jacksonville, and Stamper received a call from one of them. "Kevin Youngblood called me and told me about Clemson. He said he wanted to meet when he comes down for the Super Bowl this year. He said Duval County ran Clemson. He wanted me to continue the tradition of great Clemson players from Jacksonville."

Several things will factor into to Stamper's decision, but Clemson is very attractive to him right now. "I am the coolest with the Clemson coaches more than any other coaches, because I camped there. Coach Bowden pulled me aside at the camp. He told me I would fit in well at Clemson, because I reminded of Leroy Hill."

Stamper is a LB who does almost everything well. He runs the field from sideline to sideline flawlessly, and does a great job of blitzing. "One thing I do that not all linebackers do, is I watch the offensive line, because they will lead me to the ball. This has allowed me to read and react very well."

Stamper is unlike most players in the fact that he has already qualified with a 17 on the ACT, but will take it again. "I want to improve on my test score. You just never know what could happen. I am in good shape with a

3.3 GPA."

Stamper knows his decision will be tough, but his longtime friend is now recruiting just as hard as the Clemson coaches. "I have known Paul ever since middle school. He is one of my best friends. With Paul and Brandon being at Clemson, it will definitely play a huge role in my decision."

Stamper will be a player that the coaches will be very intent on bringing in with this class. His process will be followed very closely over the final weeks of summer.