Clemson Football: Tigers have had success with Elite 11 quarterback prospects
Under Dabo Swinney, the Clemson football program has had some of the most consistent, high quality quarterback play in the nation. The Tigers have been especially successful recruiting Elite 11 quarterback prospects.
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Clemson success recruiting Elite 11 quarterbacks dates back to Dabo Swinney’s second recruiting class in Death Valley. In that 2009 cycle, the Tigers signed the likes of Tajh Boyd, a member of the 2008 Elite 11. Boyd went on to light it up at Clemson, throwing for 11,904 yards and 107 touchdowns during his three years as a starter.
The Tigers next Elite 11 quarterback wouldn’t come until the 2011 recruiting class. Unfortunately that quarterback was Chad Kelly. While Kelly was talented, he was a constant headache and was eventually forced out in Death Valley.
Recent trend
Clemson has been on a tear as of late when it comes to recruiting quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson, a member of Clemson’s 2014 recruiting class, was a 2013 Elite 11 finalist. All that Watson was able to do was become the best quarterback in school history, throwing for 10,168 yards and 90 touchdowns in his two full-years as a starter.
Most recently, Clemson signed two members of the 2016 Elite 11 in the 2017 recruiting cycle. First and foremost is five-star recruit, Hunter Johnson who will push for playing time in 2017. Johnson enrolled early and was impressive in spurts during the spring. The second signee is four-star recruit, Chase Brice of the prestigious Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia.
If everything goes as planned, Clemson will sign an Elite 11 quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class as well. The Tigers currently hold a commitment from five-star recruit, Trevor Lawrence, the nations No. 1 overall prospect. Lawrence is set to compete in the 2018 Elite 11 finals in Beaverton Oregon.
Dreams to reality #GOTOPEN pic.twitter.com/EZjeDGGWbO
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) June 5, 2017
If any of the recent Elite 11 quarterbacks to venture to Clemson can repeat the success of previous signal callers (Boyd, Watson), the Tigers are in great hands.
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