RTR Round Table Discussion: 2018 Recruiting Class
Welcome to Rubbing The Rock’s weekly round table discussion, where each of the members of Rubbing The Rock’s staff debate on a specific topic. This weeks topic is the Clemson football program’s 2018 recruiting class.
Related Story: RTR Round Table Discussion: Clemson Baseball Hot Streak
Clemson currently holds 8 commitments for the 2018 recruiting cycle, however, what they lack in numbers they make up for in talent. The Tigers hold commitments from the No. 1 and 2 overall players in the country according to 247sports.
Ben Greeson-
The 2018 recruiting class is shaping up to be one for the ages. I’m not sure that what the Tigers are doing, has ever been done. Not only did the overall #1 prospect in the country, 5 star quarterback Trevor Lawrence declare that he was ALL IN a few months ago, now, #2 overall prospect (some say he’s #1) Xavier Thomas ended his recruiting early and committed to the Tigers after the Orange – White game this past Saturday.
See also: Early Reactions to Xavier Thomas’ Commitment to Clemson
A possible commitment from #1 overall offensive lineman in the nation, Jackson Carman is still in the air, however I think there is a sleeper in this class that might not be getting as much publicity as others. He hasn’t committed yet, but Zamir “Zeus” White is the #1 running back in NC, the #6 overall prospect in the country, He’s 6’1″ 210lbs and he would be a perfect compliment to the Clemson stable of running backs. Stay tuned as the Tigers are on their way to making history with this 2018 class.
Tyreese Ingram-
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Linebacker Mike Jones Jr. is a guy who has caught my attention. Jones committed on June 6 and has been a recruiting animal for this class. He is constantly in the ear of the top recruits on his IMG Academy team and in the ear of recruits during visits to Clemson. He’s my favorite and my sleeper recruit for this class. He shows good quickness, burst and toughness on film as a running back and at linebacker.
I think he will be a great leader with a knack for making big plays on defense. Jones is underrated now, but he will be a star in college football.
Cole Little-
Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class is shaping up to be perhaps the best in program history. With the consensus top quarterback in the country (Trevor Lawrence) and the consensus top pass rusher in the country (Xavier Thomas) already in the fold, the rich seem to be getting continually richer as far as the Tigers are concerned.
Trevor Lawrence is, without a doubt, the cream of the crop and one of the most impressive high school quarterback prospects in recent memory. At 6’6”, Lawrence is a freak of nature with a cannon for an arm. Committing fairly early on in his recruitment to Clemson, Lawrence seems to be all in, for sure.
See also: Clemson Commit Breakdown – Trevor Lawrence
The sleeper of the 2018 class, though, is defensive tackle Josh Belk. At 6’3”, 282 pounds, Belk fits the mold of the imposing defensive tackles that Clemson has thrived with during Dabo Swinney’s tenure as head coach. A superstar at Lewisville High School in Richburg, South Carolina, Belk is certain to succeed as a Tiger.
Anthony Messenger-
The Clemson Tigers 2018 recruiting class has the potential to go down as the best in program history. The Tigers are in play to land anywhere from 4 to 6 five-star prospects.
At the moment, my favorite prospect in the 2018 recruiting class is Braden Galloway. While the Tigers have depth at tight-end, there is no one on Clemson’s roster that can compare to Galloway athletically. He is the epitome of a flex tight-end, able to beat smaller defensive backs with his size and beat bigger linebackers with his speed.
The sleeper of the 2018 recruiting class has to be Jake Venables. While we know what his father is capable of as a coach, there is little said about Jake’s ability as a player. There is no doubt that he is deserving of a scholarship, he has one of the best high school tapes of any current Clemson commit.
Next: Clemson Football 2017 Spring Game: What We Learned