2019 Clemson Football Recruiting: 2019 DT Tyler Davis Signs Letter of Intent with Tigers

Clemson received an LOI from highly recruited 4-star DT Tyler Davis this morning. The 6’1’’ 293lb Davis hails from Apopka, Florida’s Wekiva High School and is rated as the #12 DT in the 2019 class and #161 player overall per the 247Sports Composite®.

Lead recruiter Todd Bates deserves the lion’s share of credit for Davis’ commitment. Bates continues to forge a reputation as one of the nation’s elite recruiters and perhaps the best recruiter on Clemson’s staff not named Jeff Scott. Clemson and Coach Bates held off Ohio State early during Davis’ recruitment, and a heavy push from Florida State during the spring and summer.

The Davis commitment may prove to be the most crucial defensive commitment to close to the 2019 class. Clemson’s lack of experienced depth in 2019 on the defensive line, and particularly defensive tackle, cannot be overstated. Davis projects as a 3-tech DT and is the most college-ready defensive line take in the upcoming recruiting class. He possesses all of the athletic traits of an elite defensive tackle but doesn’t boast a top-100 ranking because of his 6’1” height. Is he a full blown war daddy? Not yet, but he does have the potential to anchor the interior line as he develops. You can watch his HUDL videos here.

Davis is expected to be an early enrollee who would arrive on Clemson’s campus in January 2019. With the graduation of Christian Wilkins and Albert Huggins, converted DE Xavier Kelly is the highest listed 3-tech DT on the depth chart. Redshirt freshman Darnell Jefferies, Jordan Williams, and Nyles Pinckney will offer additional competition at the spot next year, however, Davis should have ample opportunity to crack the two deep in 2019.

Davis is the 26th commitment of the 2019 class that could reach up to 30 scholarship players. The 2019 DL class of Davis, Etinosa Reuben, Logan Cash, Tayquon Johnson, and Ruke Ohorhoro should be considered a high potential success overall. Now, Todd Bates and Lemanski Hall must continue to prove their ability to develop their own recruited players.

QT’s Take:

Tyler Davis is the most important defensive lineman in this class. Clemson fans should be ecstatic over this recruit and his potential future.

He gives Clemson immediate help at DT in a class that was weak overall at the position. I actually picked Davis as someone at the beginning of the year to target, but unfortunately that player was going to Ohio State and then likely staying home and picking FSU. It was not at all likely. I can’t say this enough, it is a huge pickup for Clemson--plucked straight from a division rival in FSU. If FSU hadn’t imploded he would have gone to the Seminoles in all likelihood.

Davis reminds me of Grady Jarrett. If he were an inch or two taller he would be a top 50 player in the nation. Davis plays with good leverage and functional strength and could start the season in the two deep.