4-Star CB Fred Davis Commits to Clemson

Clemson secured a verbal commitment from 4-star cornerback Fred Davis today. Davis will come to Clemson from Jacksonville, Florida (Trinity Christian Academy) and is 6-1, 182 pounds. He is the third best cornerback in the 2020 class per the 247Sports Composite and the #33 player overall. Davis chose Clemson over Ohio State, Florida and Auburn. The Tigers took the lead in his recruitment following an outstanding Junior Day visit in January and wrapped things up during his Spring Game visit last weekend. He fills Clemson’s need for a lockdown corner in this class.

Mike Reed led Davis’ recruitment and deserves credit for cultivating a relationship throughout 2018 and then nailing Davis’ Junior Day and Spring Game visits. Reed has been the lead recruiter for a multitude of top tier prospects during the past few years including Davis, Andrew Booth and AJ Terrell. His ability on the recruiting circuit can be overlooked with Todd Bates and Jeff Scott on staff, however, he has proven himself to be an ace recruiter as well.

Davis now becomes the highest ranked player in Clemson’s loaded 2020 class, just barely missing the cutoff of a 5-star recruit. He has verified measurables of a 4.30 shuttle, and a 36 inch vertical leap. His elite athleticism is complemented by his prototypical frame. Davis is not only 6-1, but has the long arms scouts drool over. Evaluations note his aggressiveness, ability to play press coverage, and willingness as a tackler as strengths of his game. He should develop into a island cornerback similar to the mold of Mack Alexander or Trayvon Mullen and could be an instant impact player on the 2020 team.

You can watch his highlights below

QT’s Take:

Fred Davis is a 5* in my book. With Mickens and Davis you have two elite defensive back talents in this class. That is reloading recruiting and most teams in the southeast coveted Davis, everyone offered. This is plucking prime talent from Jacksonville, FL. Florida State, Florida, Miami, and Alabama all wanted Davis. Davis was the top rated player at FSU’s first junior day, for example. Ohio State also trended earlier.

Davis’ recruitment has been another gem by the coaching staff. Everyone thought they were still in it, but this recruitment was really over after Clemson got him on campus for their elite junior day event. It was one of the reasons I was so bullish on this class after that event, despite nothing publicly happening. Behind the scenes wheels were turning.

Fred has showed out at recent 7-on-7 events, including the regional and national Adidas championship tourneys. He also performed well in the Opening Orlando Regional to further boost his recruiting stock.

Davis is very good at accelerating and breaking on the football. He has great instincts at corner and has an uncanny ability to mirror wide receivers and understand where they are going. His backpedal is too high, but his hips and ability to flip and break on the ball is next level. He had really long arms that help with this and a good 6’1 frame to fill. In college he will need to add a bit of bulk and polish some technique, but should be a contributor early in the two deep.