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Clemson has added another OL body with the announcement that Noah DeHond has signed his Letter of Intent. The Highstown, NJ, player projects to be an OT in college. He is considered a 4 star prospect by 247 Composite and measures in at 6’7” and weighs 317 lbs. It is not an exaggeration to say he is a mountain of a man. He was primarily recruited by Brent Venables with Robbie Caldwell helping out.
Clemson beat out Alabama for DeHond and once again this is an example of Venables working his magic in areas where Clemson hasn’t always recruited well, if at all. Noah will be one of 3 OL players in this class, the bare minimum Clemson should be taking each year.
QT’S Take:
DeHond is a very big player with a huge frame and a big piece of clay that will need some time and molding. The ceiling and potential are extremely high, but right now he is a developmental player. It is hard to gauge where he is right now based off of film because the level of competition isn’t great. He is just mauling guys with ease. Noah plays with a mean streak and loves to finish blocks.
Like most players his size, Noah will have to continually work on his pad level. His pass blocking still needs some work, particularly his foot speed and steps. He is so massive that he can get crossed up at times but he has improved since reclassifying and attending the Peddie School. I think he will be a RT when it is all said and done. I have him pegged as a low 4* recruit because of his upside but understand a high 3* ranking, the 247 Composite ranking of 508 is too low. Definitely going to need a redshirt year.
From Metal Tiger:
Guys can learn technique and gain strength, but you can't teach size and that's the sure fire thing that DeHond has in spades. The mammoth 6'7" tackle from New Jersey already checks in at 300+ pounds and has the frame to probably add 20 to 25 pounds of good muscle is he can keep his quickness. Truly insane.
Watching his film, he is aggressive and packs a violent punch at time. With the level of competition he faces, his size alone is unfair but to add in his level of aggression...Well it ended with many small boys on the ground.
DeHond (as most young and tall players do) gets a bit too tall in run blocking at times and his base gets narrow in drive blocking. This will need to be addressed first by Caldwell because leverage and balance are huge in the running game. In pass pro he does well to bend at the hips and time his punches appropriately but he didn't face any elite ends to test him with speed or power. DeHond is almost guaranteed to redshirt but has the raw talents and frame to become a potential force at tackle.