Recruiting Notes and Trends

RECRUITING NOTES AND TRENDS &nbsp; Here is a look at a few things to keep note of in the 2021 and 2022 recruiting cycles. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>CLEMSON WILL HAVE STRONG PRESENCE IN 2022 AFTER PUNTING ON 2021</strong> Up until the last few weeks Clemson had not offered anyone in the 2021 class for their home state until baseball player [player_tooltip player_id="50218" first="Will" last="Taylor"] (5’10, 160), who was committed in baseball, received an offer from Dabo Swinney. We expect Taylor to be their only offer in the 2021 class unless someone becomes a late riser. That will change in 2022 and already has. They have already offered four of our top 10 prospects in the 2022 class and the top 3. Expect Clemson to land commitments from Mauldin CB [player_tooltip player_id="59459" first="Jeadyn" last="Lukus"] (6’2, 175), Greenville OT [player_tooltip player_id="59461" first="Collin" last="Sadler"] (6’5, 295), and Greer WR/TE [player_tooltip player_id="59460" first="Jaleel" last="Skinner"] (6’5, 215) to dominate the state. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>SOUTH CAROLINA NOT DOMINATING LIKE THEY SHOULD WITHOUT CLEMSON PRESENCE</strong> If The Gamecocks want to win the SEC East and beat your rival Clemson every year then they need to dominate the state of South Carolina to rebuild like Clemson did before they began their title runs. South Carolina only has two commitments this year from Marion DL TJ Sanders (6’4, 284) who we have ranked #7 and our #10 prospect South Pointe WR [player_tooltip player_id="59300" first="O’Mega" last="Blake"] (6’3, 189).  They are in the running for Gaffney DL [player_tooltip player_id="59291" first="Tyrion" last="Ingram-Dawkins"] (6’5, 298) but are in a battle with Georgia for his pledge. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>OUT OF STATE P5 SCHOOLS HAVING STRONG PRESENCE FOR TOP TALENT</strong> Here is a look at the top 10 talent in the state already pledged to out of state programs. #2 prospect Sumter DL [player_tooltip player_id="59292" first="Justus" last="Boone"] (6’5, 250)- Florida verbal #3 prospect Myrtle Beach WR [player_tooltip player_id="59293" first="JJ" last="Jones"] (6’3, 190)- North Carolina verbal #4 prospect Blythewood WR Josh Burrell (6’2, 212)- Florida State verbal #5 prospect Dillon WR [player_tooltip player_id="59295" first="Ahmari" last="Huggins-Bruce"] (5’10, 163)- Louisville verbal #6 prospect Rock Hill TE [player_tooltip player_id="59296" first="Robbie" last="Ouzts"] (6’4, 245)- Alabama verbal #8 prospect Chapin OL [player_tooltip player_id="59298" first="Thornton" last="Gentry"] (6’4, 282)- NC State verbal #9 prospect Belton-Honea Path DL [player_tooltip player_id="59299" first="Jatius" last="Greer"] (6’5, 260)- Syracuse verbal &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>BIGGEST RISERS SO FAR</strong> OFFENSE Dutch Fork QB/WR [player_tooltip player_id="50218" first="Will" last="Taylor"] (5’10, 160) is a player who most were not aware of outside of baseball even 8 months ago but he is playing very well in 2020 and could end up in our top 20. He has thrown for 1,046 yards, 15 touchdowns, one interception, and one rushing touchdown in four games. Taylor is committed to Clemson. DEFENSE Boiling Springs S [player_tooltip player_id="59311" first="Caden" last="Sullivan"] (6’1, 185), our #21 prospect (higher than most would have him now), is having a great year so far and could end up in our top 15 if he keeps it up. He has 15 tackles, five interceptions (leads the state), one pass breakup, and 601 all-purpose yards on offense. Sullivan is an Appalachian State pledge who is gaining a lot of P5 interest and has already gotten an offer from Vanderbilt. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>APP STATE IS MOST ACTIVE IN SOUTH CAROLINA</strong> Believe it or not the Mountaineers have the strongest total presence in the state of any FBS school with five commitments so far. They are led by #19 prospect Greenville QB [player_tooltip player_id="59309" first="Andre" last="Goodman"], #20 prospect Westside OL [player_tooltip player_id="59310" first="Jayden" last="Ramsey"] (6’6, 236), #21 prospect Boiling Springs S [player_tooltip player_id="59311" first="Caden" last="Sullivan"] (6’1, 185), #24 prospect AC Flora TE [player_tooltip player_id="59313" first="Banks" last="Pope"] (6’4, 235), and #25 prospect Sumter LB [player_tooltip player_id="59314" first="Deshawn" last="McKnight"] (6’2, 215). &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>PROGRAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON</strong> Coastal Carolina is one program to watch out for. They already have three verbals from the state and could end up with more. They currently have #30 Boiling Springs DB [player_tooltip player_id="59320" first="Dre" last="Pinckney"] (5’10, 170), #36 Goose Creek WR [player_tooltip player_id="59326" first="Malachi" last="Taylor"] (6’3, 190), and #38 Lamar OL [player_tooltip player_id="59328" first="Kenneth" last="Walton"]. The Chanticleers entered the AP and Coaches Poll Top 25s for the first time in program history this week and should be able to use that momentum to gain more &nbsp;