Clemson Football: Tigers 2018 recruiting class not program’s best just yet
Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class is nearly it’s best ever. The keyword there is “nearly”, because Dabo Swinney and his staff compiled a recruiting haul for the ages in 2011.
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As if it wasn’t already special, Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class got even better this morning when 4-star athlete, Kyler McMichael announced his pledge to the Tigers. With McMichael on board, the Tigers now hold 11 commitments in the class of 2018.
With about 7 months left until National Signing Day, Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class could very well end up being the best in program history. That being said, Dabo Swinney and his staff have a little more work to do if they want to dethrone their 2011 recruiting class.
Star power
In 2011, Dabo Swinney and company signed three five-star recruits, all of whom were top 20 prospects nationally according to the 247sports composite rankings. The Tigers signed a pair of five-star Floridian’s in Tony Steward and Sammy Watkins, as well as five-star linebacker, Stephone Anthony. At the moment, that is the one distinct edge that the Tigers 2011 class has over the 2018 class.
As it stands, Clemson has two five-star commits in the 2018 recruiting class, Trevor Lawrence and Xavier Thomas. That being said, there is a very good chance that Clemson signs at least one more five-star prospect.
Both the 2011 and 2018 recruiting class had six players ranked within the top 150 prospects in the country, however, in 2011 five of those six prospects ranked within the top 50 prospects in the country.
Poaching
When looking at both recruiting classes there is a heavy presence of out-of-state players. While the state of South Carolina has produced elite prospects such as, Jadaveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore, it is not talent laden top to bottom.
In 2011, Clemson came up big within the state of Florida pulling out Steward, Watkins and Mike Bellamy. Since that recruiting cycle, Clemson has been a force in the South Florida area. Players such as, Jayron Kearse, Deon Cain, Artavis Scott and Ray-Ray McCloud have since made the trek up North to Death Valley.
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Dabo Swinney and his staff have done much of the same in the 2018 recruiting cycle. The Tigers have already plucked four prospects from the state of Georgia, including the No. 1 player in the country (Trevor Lawrence), and they may land more. Clemson has been gaining momentum in the recruitment of Quindarious Monday and Jamaree Salyer, two talented Peach state natives.
Not so fast..
No, Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class is not the best in program history….yet. The Tigers are heavy favorites to land five-star defensive end, KJ Henry and they have a fighters chance at landing five-star’s, Jackson Carman, Justyn Ross and the aforementioned Salyer.
So while the 2011 recruiting class is currently the best in Clemson football history, it may not be long before the C/O 2018 takes it’s seat on the thrown.
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