DT Carlos Watkins Commits to Clemson
by DrB on Oct 14, 2011 10:13 PM EDT
in Recruiting
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Carlos Watkins (6'4, 290), a 4-star DT from Chase HS in NC, picked Clemson over Will Muschamp's Florida Gators tonight after his game. Watkins is rated the #9 DT nationally by Rivals and the #86 player overall in the RIvals100. He had other notable offers from UGA, Bama, Auburn, Nebraska, UNC, and Notre Dame. Carlos was recruited by Dan Brooks, who recruits most of Western NC for Clemson.
Carlos Watkins is the type of top-flight DT that Clemson needed to pull in this year. We needed at least one to replace Jarvis Jenkins last year and did not manage to pull that level of talent, and it became a crucial need in terms of talent again this year with Brandon Thompson and Rennie Moore leaving. Even with our high numbers at DT because of the large class we took in the last cycle, I do not see Watkins taking a redshirt in 2012.
Watkins is big, even for a HS tackle, and a powerful rusher. His first step is really quick, and his shuttle time of 4.66 is pretty good for the size. Chase does not play the best competition, but what he does face he dominates. He has a good rip move, but he will need real technique work to dominate this way in college, because as is normal for a big strong guy in HS, he just bulldozes people. I think he steps right in as a 1-technique (where Thompson plays) for Clemson in a 4-3 front. Clemson has enough guys who could conceivably play the 3-technique, and needed a dominant replacement on the Nose.
Watkins becomes our 19th commitment, and Clemson is in definite oversign mode.
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AWESOME FOR US
Considering how well we recruit with a recent history of mediocrity, imagine if we start winning with more regularity.
This guy hopefully helps fill a definite need, and maybe he is a guy like Thompson who contributes early.
If Watkins does end up being a 1 technique,
how much playing time do you think he would be able to get at the nose? I know it’s obviously really hard to tell considering he’s not even on campus, but I’m just curious if you know how often guys are able to come right out of high school and play a true nose guard position. Hopefully he’ll be a quick learner because we definitely need someone to step in for Brandon Thompson.
I think Rennie Moore has done a good job replacing Jenkins, but like you said, he’s a senior, so we need help there too. Do you think Carlos Watkins is more of a 1 than 3 technique because of his size of his style of play?
Yes, a little more of a NG.
I dont believe a 1 is easier or harder than a 3 in a 4-3 front, but he has to be able to command a double team as a shade nose in a 3-4 front.
I figure we see him worked into the rotation, but I wouldnt call for him to start. I would hope for at least 200 snaps.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I’ve always kept up with the guys we recruit, but I’ve never been familiar enough with many of them outside of the guys like Spiller and Watkins that get tons of press. All I had heard about Watkins is that he’s an ESPN 150 guy who has been rated as both a DT and DE depending on which service you go by. We obviously need him at DT given our lack of quality depth at that position, and I’m not sure we would use a guy that size at the end position anyway. Da`Quan was a big guy, but this guys already got like 15 pounds on him while he’s still a senior in high school.
by Adam Ferguson on Oct 14, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
With numbers so tight...
any word on any of the recruits failing to qualify? Anyone borderline right now?
Anybody hear the Will Merritt comment on Watkins...
“I saw him at the game last Saturday and I thought he was somebody’s Daddy. "
Also, I haven’t see this posted here yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94AOtSmiXnk
Also, some of lsufreek’s best work here.
http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/832108/Garcia_Ousted_medium.gif
Awesome!
Itd be great if we could add Bullard.. Maybe this helps our chances with him. Im HOPING we can get in the mix for Eddie Goldman.
I'll be interested to see how the number eventually work out
but there’s no way we should turn down talent, even if it means cutting (or let transfer) some guys that would disappear on the depth chart. Is there anyone on the team who could be an early pro entrant (other than Dwayne Allen)? I’m sure it will all work out.
Ellington was thought to be leaving early possibly..
but Im not sure if thats his best best now considering
so do I
I think we’d miss DA most of all. We have Brandon Ford who has underwhelmed, and a true freshman coming in. Not much confidence there to replace the guy that has been a mismatch nightmare for defenses this year.
With another year, maybe AE could be fit back into the game a bit more, and can really use his experience, especially blocking.
If we can get a 100% healthy AE next year..
that would go a long way in losing Allens value to the offense
MacLain will possibly step in
but as you have noticed, this offense doesnt need to use the TE as a blocker, so you could just as easily use a WR do line up where Allen lines up.
It's just hard to see a WR doing DA's role
since DA is that tweener role TE that can’t be covered by a LB, but is too big for a DB to handle. If there’s another WR instead, they can put a DB on him. It doesn’t mean we won’t still be explosive, it just feels like we’d be missing a very valuable piece that has been Tajh’s security blanket, and a threat to score on anyone.
Its just a route
a WR can run it to the flats as well as a TE. They’ll be forced to go Nickel or Dime and the matchup would still be preferable.
IF Allen leaves
which WR would you put in his place?
maclain and cooper are in allens spot so no biggie
whats the word on the auburn decommit at o-tackle , last name of flint
Watkins, Goldman, and Bullard would be the dream team D-line
We’d basically become the Detroit Lions. Bullard and Watkins are good friend, but most have Johnathan as a USC/Florida lean. Goldman’s a complete crap shoot. He looks like he could be a beast, but he has a “handler”. I don’t know if Clemson is willing to jump through that hoop.
yea, kids who are like that turn out to be more trouble than theyre worth most of time
prima donnas. Give me a solid 3 star with no ego who’s willing to work his ass off every day over the prima donna 5 stars.
Great pickup. Wish we had more guys who could play the 1 tech and be good
Seems like we are putting all our eggs in this guy’s basket. We’ve been lucky with Brandon being a great 4 year player with no injuries, just in there every game doing the grunt work. I love that guy.
This is awesome news.
So, at this point, we will probably get Josh Brown and then the rest are either long shots, or guys we will pass in favor of holding a spot for next year?
"Clemson is coming!" - Stephone Anthony
by Tigerplowboy on Oct 17, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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