Tigers in top two for one of SC's top prospects

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Fri Jan 18 10:55:34 GMT-04:00 2013

Dexter Wideman Dexter Wideman
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 275
Saluda, SC
View Full Profile is considered one of the top 2014 prospects in South Carolina, but that doesn’t mean his hard work will stop.

The Tigers were the first to offer the 6’3, 276-pound junior defensive tackle from Saluda (SC) during his sophomore year and Clemson remains very high on his list of prospective schools.

Wideman was initially offered by former defensive backs coach Charlie HarbisonCharlie Harbison
Defensive Backs
View Full Profile , and he told TigerNet that contact between the two sides hasn’t waned since the offer was made.

“Coach Harbison actually gave me the offer,” Wideman told TigerNet Wednesday evening. “It happened when I was in 10th grade. Clemson was my first offer and then South Carolina was my second. I hear from Clemson pretty often. I call them and then they call me about every week. They have been by my school a couple of times. They actually came by to see me last week.”

With Harbison moving on to Auburn, Wideman has begun to build a relationship with defensive tackles coach Dan BrooksDan Brooks
Assistant Coach / Defensive Line
View Full Profile .

“Now that Coach Harbison is gone, I talk to Coach Brooks a lot,” Wideman said. “We have a really good relationship. I have a good relationship with all of the coaches up there. They try to make sure that they have a good relationship with all of their players.”

Despite Wideman’s high ranking as a 2014 prospect, he knows there is a lot of work left to do.

“It feels good and it means a lot to me [to be considered one of the best in the state]. I’m still going to work hard and get better though.,” Wideman said. “I’m not going to stop.”

Wideman has followed the career of South Carolina standout Jadeveon Clowney and said that he hopes to one day have that type of success.

“I try to pattern my game after Jadeveon Clowney,” he said. “He’s just quick off the ball. He’s very explosive. He’s a very good defensive end and he’s really fast.”

When Wideman makes a decision, he wants to find a place that he can call home and form good relationships with his coaches.

“When I choose a school, I just want to make sure that I have a good relationship with the coaches,” Wideman said. “I want to make sure that I fit in with the program. I want to make sure that it feels like home.”

Wideman’s top two are Clemson and South Carolina, but he said that he will wait until Signing Day to announce his decision.

“Right now, the two in-state schools are my top two,” he said. “I’m going to wait until Signing Day.”

Wideman has visited Clemson several times, but said he hopes to make it for one of the upcoming junior days.

“I’ve been to Clemson a few times,” he said. “I really like the campus and the atmosphere at Clemson. I’m going to try and come up for one of the junior days, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it.”