Bryant locker room speech to incoming freshmen
Recruit - Proj. position at CU - HS - any film I can get - vitals - rankings from Rivals and some of our thoughts after looking at their film.
Enrolled Commitments:
Corey Crawford - Strongside DE - Carver HS, GA from Hargrave Military - film 1, film 2, film 3 - 6'5" 275, 4.76 40, 4-star DE - #30 in GA, #20 DE nationally in 2010 cycle. #18 defensive end in the nation and 9th best player in Georgia by Scout.com- Offered by Auburn, Ole Miss, UGA, Florida, Florida State. He's big, strong, and fast and gets after the QB with some good technique. 72 tackles and 7 sacks as a Jr., 87 with 9 sacks as a senior. He even shows some skills in dropping back into coverage as an OLB in Carver's 3-3 Stack defense. Recruited by Charlie Harbison originally. We expect him to move directly into the 2-deep at SDE.
Tony McNeal - QB - Chester HS, SC - film 1, film 2, film 3 - 6'1" 195lbs, 4.7 40, 3 Star Pro-Style QB - #9 Pro-Style QB and #9 overall player in SC. Clemson was his first offer and committed last January. Tall, lanky guy who plays in an offense that is a pro-style spread. He has not been a runner in the system, though his coach says he can do it well. Much of that may be due to a torn ACL midway through his Jr year. Has had footwork issues as a result, and tends to throw all-arm like Kyle Parker has this season. Very good passer on the run, which is key for Morris' system. He has a strong arm and throws one of those high arcing balls suited for deep throws. In his Sr year, he racked up 2500+ yards and 25 TD passes with 7 INTs. In an injury shortened Jr year, he completed 62% of his passes for 1700 yards and 18 TDs. As a Soph, 3500yds passing with 37 TDs and 17 INTs, leading Chester to the State Title Game. We could see McNeal as either the #2 QB or Redshirting. Recruited by Napier.
Cole Stoudt - QB - Coffman HS, Dublin OH - film 1, film 2 - 6'4" 200lbs, 4.66 40, 3 Star Pro-Style QB - #21 Pro-Style QB and #42 player in Ohio overall. Former Wyoming commitment, with offers from Colorado, Arizona State, South Florida, Toledo, Cincinnati. Strong arm, tall and lean. He'll need to add some muscle as you can tell. Has happy feet and average footwork, this will need significant improvement. He's suited for a short and mid-range passing game, but adding overall strength and improving footwork will put zip on the deep ball. Stoudt is the son of former NFL QB Cliff Stoudt, backup to Terry Bradshaw among others. Stoudt broke Brady Quinn's school completion record this season and had over 2100 yards passing and 20 TDs, with a 68% completion percentage. We believe Stoudt should redshirt to add muscle, but if McNeal is the more talented player you may have to save him and play Stoudt. Recruited by Billy Napier.
Joe Gore - DE/OT - East Columbus HS, NC - film - 6'6" 262lbs, 4.8 40, 3-star Strongside DE - #28 SDE nationally and #16 player in NC. Scout rates him as a 3 Star OT, #62 nationally. Offers from most of the ACC, including SC, Arkansas, and West Va. NC State was the main competition here. Gore will start out at Clemson at End, but his DE film is not as impressive as his time at OT. As an end he doesn't have an electric first step but his strength wins him most battles. His speed isn't apparent and his pad level is higher. Hand usage needs work. As an OT he flattens people, stays lower and shows good punch as a run blocker. Plays meaner at OT than End. As a junior, he had 77 tackles and 12 sacks at End against weak 1A competition. Gore should redshirt; just too raw at the moment. Recruited by Dan Brooks.
Signed LOI:
Shaq Anthony - OT - Wren HS, SC - film - 6'4" 272lbs, 5.1 40, 3-star Offensive Tackle - #27 OT nationally and #7 player in-state. Offers from UGA, SC and CU. A legacy player; his dad Vernie played for the 1981 Clemson Tigers. Wren has a spread pass offense and Shaq spends most of his time in the pass-pro set. In that, he's very good on film. As a run blocker I was not impressed; he doesn't stay low enough and is not as strong as necessary. When he committed I felt that he would need the RS just to gain weight for a pro-style system, but not as much for Morris'. He'll need to work on his strength significantly this offseason. Early Rivals ratings had him as a 4-star player, but this was too high. New ratings are more correct. Recruited by Brad Scott.
Isaiah Battle - OT - Blue Ridge Prep, VA - film - 6'7" 270lbs, 3-star Offensive Tackle - #36 OT nationally and #11 in VA. Offers from New Mexico and ECU. Basically he's a project. Football IQ is low and hasn't been taught things. His frame is huge and his speed is very good (4.83 40), he's strong, but needs coaching. He does not stay low enough, nor does he extend his long arms well enough. Would need to redshirt and sit a year more after that. Battle is projected to attend Fork Union. He was recruited by Andre Powell.
Ryan Norton - C - Mauldin HS, Greenville SC - film - 6'4" 272lbs, 3-star Offensive Center - #11 C nationally and #17 in-state player, best Center in SC. Offers from SC, GT, MD, NCSU, Vandy, Illinois. Legacy player, his grandfather is a CU alum. Keeps his back flat and pads low, good hip flexibility. Looks to be a good run blocker that plays to the whistle. Should redshirt. Recruited by Andre Powell, with help from Brad Scott.
Spencer Region - OG - Cullman HS, AL - film, film 2 - 6'6" 345lbs, 3-star Offensive Guard - #16 player in Alabama, #23 OG overall. #149 in the ESPNU150. Region was reported to be an Alabama fan growing up, who then committed to Auburn last Februrary, and then a few weeks later opened it up again. After that he flirted with UGA, LSU, Louisville and Wisconsin, and Clemson swooped in late out of nowhere. This guy seems similar to Lateek Townsend in terms of the drama he has created. I think most of his "offers" are not committable anymore because he has jerked too many folks around. His film is good. Needs to sink his hips more but drives his blocks well. Has a reputation as a very dirty player, very mean, so I love him already. Blackballed from the AL-MS All-star game for that. He will definitely need to cut about 40lbs off before he gets to play and will redshirt, but he moves better than most his size. His official recruiter is Charlie Harbison with Chad Morris.
Mike Bellamy - RB - Charlotte HS, Punta Gorda FL - film , film 2, film 3 - 5'10" 170lbs, 5-star RB - #25 Player in the USA by Rivals, #5 RB and #7 player in FL. Offered by everyone. Lightning fast on film, but in the Army All-American bowl I didn't see the Spiller/R Bush-5th gear. Otherwise I'd say he's quite like CJ was in HS. He needs to be put in space, and isn't the type that gets the ball every down. In other words, he's not a between-the-tackles runner yet and doesn't appear to take on contact. I'd expect him to put on some lower-body mass and strive to improve there. He will get on the field in 2011, either as a 3rd down back or KR/PR. He can catch the ball out of the backfield well. Expect him to be used like Onterrio McCalleb is at Auburn. Recruited by Brad Scott.
Cortez Davis - DB - Mainland HS, Daytona FL -film , film 2- 6'3" 200lbs, 4 star Safety/CB - #14 DB, #33 in FL and #215 Nationally. Offered by everyone, but FSU was the primary competition. Davis is sneaky-fast, he doesn't look like he runs hard but he gets there in a hurry. Could start out at CB next year, but I think he's a Free Safety eventually. Man/man technique worries me some. Has very good ball skills so he could succeed at either. I would not be surprised if he redshirted, but could come in play. Recruited by Chris Rumph.
Sammy Watkins - WR - film, film 2, - 6'1 190lbs, 4.5 40, 5-star WR - #3 WR nationally, #5 player in FL, and #15 Overall by Rivals. Offered by Everyone, and I believe Miami was the only threat. What stands out on film, more than speed, is his ball skills and how hard and physical he plays WR. He's a physical blocker, like Hopkins. He runs his routes extremely well and gets himself open. He's the caliber of player that can come in and start in his first year on campus, and considering the relative lack of talent here at WR, thats likely. I wouldn't pigeonhole him as an outside or inside-only guy, he's elusive and physical enough to play both. He was recruited by Brad Scott, with Jeff Scott assisting.
Charone Peake - WR - Dorman HS, Spartanburg SC - film 1, film 2, film 3, film 4, film 5 - 6'3" 200lbs, 4.4 40, 4 star WR - #11 WR overall and #83 player overall nationally. #2 player in SC - Offered by everyone, but Georgia was really the only threat. I have seen Peake substantially in person, even on the Dorman sideline several times. I've stood beside him and can vouch for the size stats. He has a frame to put on another 10-15 easy in my opinion, and already has a strong lower body. I can also vouch for his electric speed. He has exceptional ability to make his cuts in route running. Mostly what I saw him do was run slants and streaks and just get open by running past people. He's so quick that a juke move with his speed leaves most defenders on the ground. Most corners respond by playing very soft and most teams put a FS over the top to his side every down. He will take plays off. Sometimes I saw him not giving much effort in blocking and when the play went away from him I did see him loafing around. I think his hands are good, but the lack of great flashy plays is more due to the QB play at Dorman. Look for Peake to challenge at the outside X/Z positions this fall. Recruited by Jeff Scott.
Martavis Bryant - WR - T.L. Hanna HS, SC - film - 6'4" 195, 4.4 40', 4 star WR - From 2010: #10 WR and #6 player in SC, #84 in Rivals 100 - 43 overall player in 2010 ESPN150, and the #4 WR. Shrine Bowler. 1st team All-State. Army All-American. Tall and lanky, and will need to put on about 10-20 lbs in college, but could compete for an outside WR position immediately. He is really fast on film. He also needs to work on catching passes with just his hands, not his body. Had 47 receptions for 803 as a soph, 44 for 776 as a Junior. Offered by nearly everyone. Recruited by Brad Scott and Napier.
Of the three main WRs, I don't expect any to redshirt.
Eric MacLain - TE - Jack Britt HS, Fayetteville NC - film, film 2 - 6'5 245, 5.2 40, 4-star TE - #6 TE nationally, #4 player in NC and #59 player overall nationally. Offered by most of the southeast, was at once a Tennessee commit, flirted with Auburn early on. Film is outstanding, can run and block well. Graded out at 96% in blocking his Jr year. Very physical as a receiver with good hands. Finished with 26 catches for 390 yards as a senior. Dan Brooks offered him long ago under Phil Fulmer and recruited him here. Would be surprised if he didn't step in as the #2 TE.
Lateek Townsend - OLB - Marlboro Cty HS, Bennettsville SC - film - 6'2 210, 4.6 40, 4-star OLB - #10 OLB and #172 player nationwide, #4 player in SC. Offered by most of the southeast, but SC and Southern Cal were the only other official visits. Committed in February and backed off the next day. Very agile, great range and speed. Aggressive player who likes to rush the QB. Will need to be reined in on the field, as he doesn't stick to his assignment. His HS coaches have stated that he freelances on the field. In HS if you do that and have speed, you can make up for it. In college, not so much. 191 tackles, 4 sacks, and 28 TFL in 2008. In 2009 he registered 189 tackles, 14 sacks, and 36 TFL. I see him playing WILL at Clemson, but I do expect a RS. He was recruited by Kevin Steele.
Stephone Anthony - OLB - Anson Cty HS, Wadesboro NC - 6'3 220lb, 4.52 40, 5-star OLB - #2 player in NC, #3 OLB nationally and #24 player overall nationally. Under Armour AA. Offered by everyone, but biggest suitors have been UNC, Florida and Virginia Tech. Definitely will play for Clemson this fall somewhere. Range is awesome, strength is even better. Closing speed is outstanding. Very flexible in the hips. Has to work on using his hands to get off blocks, which makes me think he may be suited more for WILL so he's protected better, but depth issues and his ability in coverage means he may go to SAM first. Honestly though he could play all 3 positions. 120+ tackles in each of the last two years, with 20 INTs and double-digit TFL. Recruited by Dan Brooks with Kevin Steele.
B.J. Goodson - MLB - Lamar HS, SC - film, film - 6'1 220lbs, 4.67 40, 3-star OLB - #20 player in SC. Offered by LSU, Tennessee and SC. Hes already strong enough to contribute and his film shows he is a tenacious LB with range and fair speed, and he is the type that likes to lay the big hit on people. Tackling on film was really good. I did not see much in the way of pass coverage on his film, so that part I can't give any opinion on. Pad level is far too high when he engages. I think he ends up at MIKE LB. Should redshirt. Recruited by Kevin Steele.
Tony Steward - OLB - Menendez HS, St Augustine FL - film, film 2, film 3 (watch this one)- 6'2" 225lbs, 5-star OLB - #1 LB in the Nation. #13 player in the nation and #4 player in FL. Offered by everyone, but it was always between FSU and CU. I can't communicate how awesome he is on film. Fast and pure muscle. Can play all 3 positions easily. Hip flexibility is outstanding. Change of direction and range are outstanding. Very aggressive hitter but occasionally loses his key on Play-action. May need work on shuffling but would definitely not RS if not for the ACL tear, but word is that it is healing so well that he could be ready by August. Recruited by Jeff Scott.
This is the single best LB recruiting haul I can ever remember for Clemson.
Roderick Byers - DT - Northwestern HS, Rock Hill SC - film, film 2 - 6'4" 262, 3-star DT - #23 player in SC, #49 DT nationally. Was an Oregon commitment, with another offer from GT. He's listed as a DE but he's a 3-technique in college. Byers was a late offer to replace Phillip Dukes, and switched from Oregon on the spot. I've seen him numerous times, and he's quicker off the line than in the clips above, but his top speed is not fast. Thats probably why he was a late offer. Gets off blocks well. Northwestern coaches usually do a very good job teaching defensive players. Would probably RS. Recruited by Jeff Scott.
Kevin Dodd - DT - Riverside HS, Greer SC - no film - 6'5" 280lb, 4.8 40, 3-star DT - #14 player in SC - Clemson is the only offer. Flown under the radar a bit because he didn't take up football until recently, so he's also very raw. He has a powerful first step and like most guys this size in HS, he just outmuscles his opponent instead of using his hands or any technique, which is understandable if he has not been coached. Pad level is wayyyyy too high. Guys this size tend to get moved inside to DT eventually, so I do expect him to end up at the 3-technique. Really showed out at the Shrine Bowl Camp, that resulted in him winning the offer. A definite redshirt if he qualifies for CU. Recruited by Andre Powell, with assistance from Jeff Scott.
Grady Jarrett - NG - Rockdale Cty HS, Conyers GA - film - 6'0 282lb, 5.1 40, 3-star DT - Unrated in GA - Offered by Miss. State also. This guy's film is great, more of a poor man's Brandon Thompson. I like his film far better than D. Williams. Originally came out as a 2-star, which was a horrible rating. If he was 2 inches taller and 2 tenths faster he'd have 10 big offers. Motor stays on full, which is always something to look for on DL. Pads stay low and explosive first step. I think he's a diamond in the rough player. Jarrett plays Strongside DE for Rockdale but he will be moved to DT at Clemson. From the film they appear to be a multiple-front but 3-4 based team, so a DE is almost the same as a DT. He will end up at Nose Tackle (1-tech) here. Will need a RS to alter his body comp. Recruited by Chris Rumph.
DeShaun Williams - DT - Daniel HS, SC - no film - 6'1 302lbs, 5.2 40, 3 star DT - #15 in SC. Clemson is the only major offer. Legacy player, his dad is former Clemson RB Ronald Williams. Big guy, strong, but not a quick first step at all. Actually his first step is nonexistent. Hand usage and punch is much better, as is his pad level and leverage overall. 106 tackles and 7 sacks this year for Daniel, 98 and 5 sacks last year. Likely a NG at Clemson. Will need to change his body composition like Jarrett. Recruited by Andre Powell.
Robert Smith - DB - Woodland HS, Dorchester SC - 5'10 200lb, 4.63 40, 3-star Athlete - #22 in SC. Clemson is the only major offer. Cousin of Tye Hill. A true athlete, plays QB for Woodland but is expected to play DB at Clemson, likely SS. He is Woodland's offense himself. 11,000+ yards and 125 TDs in his career. Only major worry is that because of this, he has little experience in coverage, so not much film to look at or critique. That means he is a definite redshirt. Charlie Harbison recruited him.
Stanton Seckinger - WR/TE - Porter Gaud School, Charleston SC - film film 2 - 6'5" 200lbs, 4.6 40, 3-star WR - Unrated in-state. Offered by NC State late. Porter is a private school, and Seckinger has shown he can dominate this league. Senior film is far better than his Jr film. He is a guy that reminds me a bit of Brandon Ford, he'll get bigger in college and may end up at TE like Ford. Plays hard, runs good routes, has good hands. Definite RS if he comes in Summer, but is a possible grayshirt to Jan 2012. Recruited by Dan Brooks.
Adam Humphries - DB - Dorman HS, Spartanburg SC - film - 5'10 175lb 4.55 40, 2-star DB - Unrated in-state. Only BCS offer is Clemson, and had no offers, not even 1-AA, when Clemson offered him. Like Peake, I have seen him play substantially. Until this season, I saw nothing that would cause me to even notice him on the field. This year he was more of a player who got around the ball at DB and WR and made plays, but I cannot say I would've offered him when we had Tacoi Sumler wanting to come here (he committed to Oregon) and could've gone for Quan Bray (Auburn) or Romar Morris (UNC) instead. Clemson backed off them when we picked up Humphries, and led for both Sumler and Morris. I think he is a guy who has had a good year in HS but will not produce in Div 1 football. This offer did not go out as a Daniel Andrews-Jamie Harper situation, the coaches really did prefer him. This is a Dabo Swinney offer/recruit more than Jeff Scott. Dabo thinks he has found another Dabo.
Jerome Maybank - DT/OG - Waccamaw HS, Pawley's Island SC - no film - 6'4 335lbs 2-star DT - Unrated in state. No committable offer from anyone else. His film is absolutely atrocious. 2 stars is even generous. He's just a big mass that people can't get around, and 335 is not going to cut it on the DLine. I would not have offered as a DT. He could be moved to OG, but again 335 won't cut it for Morris. His film there is just as bad, little guys he should destroy stand him up all day. Clemson's coaches actually offered before looking at his film. The only saving grace is that this is a Dan Brooks offer, though its a Pearman recruit.
Colton Walls - FB - Latin HS, Charlotte NC - 6'1 225lb 2-star MLB/FB - Unrated - Offers from Duke and Memphis. Son of former Panther TE Wesley Walls. I see nothing in his film that would've caused me to offer him at Linebacker, and he will not see the field at Clemson as a LB as a starter, ever. Not fast. Tackling fundamentals are good. He will be a replacement for Chad Diehl at FB/H. Recruited by Pearman, but this offer is a Dabo offer.
Ammon Lakip - Kicker - Chattahoochee HS, Alpharetta GA - #7 kicker nationally. Offers from Auburn, GT, Utah; the main competition was GT. None offered a full ride however, most were invited walk-on situations or grayshirts. Who knows with kickers.
Morgan Roberts - QB - A grayshirt to 2012, though he faxed his LOI in today.
An incredible job by our staff, considering the negativity within the fanbase and a 6-7 season. Over the weekend we'll go into whether this class truly met Clemson's needs at each position.