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Clemson Football Recruiting: Tigers no longer in the running for 5-star corner

By Anthony Messenger

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 22: Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play during the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 22: Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a play during the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /
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Five-star corner back prospect, Anthony Cook of powerhouse Lamar High School in Houston, Texas recently released his top 3 schools. Surprisingly, the Clemson football program did not make the cut.

Leading up to Cook’s announcement, many felt that Ohio State was a heavy favorite, followed by the Clemson football program and in-state Texas. Cook was scheduled to be in attendance at Clemson’s All-in cookout a few weeks back, but, was unable to make it due to a death in the family.

Back in the spring of 2016, Cook was at Clemson’s elite junior day. Following that visit to Death Valley, it appeared that the Tigers were strong contenders in his recruitment. In an interview with David Hood of Tigernet Cook stated the following of the Tigers.

"The reason I like Clemson is that it’s a family-like environment. They are on a high pedestal and their players get a lot of looks from the NFL. I have a great relationship with the defensive backs coach, Coach Reed and he puts a lot of players in the NFL."

Given Cook’s clear affinity for Clemson, I am not sure why the Tigers’ were unable to keep up in his recruitment. It’s not like Clemson has been making head-waves with many other defensive backs in this recruiting cycle. The Tigers’ lone defensive back commit is Kyler McMichael. Also worth mentioning priority target, Quindarious Monday recently spurned Clemson for Auburn.

I am not sure what to make of this news. It is quite possible that Clemson gained considerable ground in fellow five-star corner back prospect, Tyson Campbell’s, recruitment following the All-in cookout. That may have affected the Tigers’ standing with Cook.

Next: FSU defeating Alabama would benefit Clemson

With Clemson missing the cut for Cook, there is a real possibility that the Tigers won’t land another corner back in this recruiting cycle. While they may have impressed Campbell on his visit to Death Valley, Clemson will have to fend off the likes of in-state Miami, Ohio State and Alabama to land the American Heritage product. It appears that Dabo Swinney and his staff are preparing for the worst as they recently doled out offers to two 2019 corner back prospects.

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