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Has Clemson football lost momentum on the recruiting trail?

By Anthony Messenger

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson football program started off hot in the 2018 recruiting cycle, but, a few SEC teams are making things difficult for the Tigers at the moment.

Clemson frequently ventures into SEC country for the best recruits the nation has to offer. Early on in this recruiting cycle, the Tigers were beating out SEC programs left and right. Dating back to last winter Clemson beat out the in-state Georgia Bulldogs for Trevor Lawrence. The Tigers then dipped back into the Peach State to land, three-star defensive tackle, Darnell Jefferies and four-star athlete, Kyler McMichael.

Since landing McMichael however, things have begun to slow down for Clemson on the recruiting trail.

Leading up to the commitment of four-star ATH, Quindarious Monday, his recruitment appeared to be trending in Clemson’s direction. In fact, the Tigers received three straight crystal ball predictions to kick-off the month of July. Then, after a last minute visit on the plains, Monday decided to pull the trigger and commit to Auburn.

Must Read: USA Today writer predicts Clemson in the National Championship

More recently, five-star corner back Anthony Cook released his top three schools and Clemson was unable to make the list. This came as a surprise to many as Cook’s recruitment was perceived to be a three horse race between Ohio State, Clemson and Texas. Ultimately Ohio State, Texas and LSU made the cut for Cook, rather than Clemson.

The Georgia Bulldogs have been the biggest thorn in Clemson’s side over the past two months. As long as Kirby Smart is in Athens, recruiting the state of Georgia will be a chess match between the Tigers and Bulldogs. At the moment Smart and his staff are winning that chess match.

The ‘Dawgs landed five-star running back, Zamir White and are heavy favorites to land five-star offensive guards, Jamaree Salyer and Trey Hill as well as explosive edge rusher, Azeez Ojulari. Salyer and Hill are two of Clemson’s most pivotal recruits in the 2018 recruiting cycle as they would sure up the Tigers’ offensive line for years to come.

Next: Realistic expectations for the Tigers in 2017

While Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class is already one of the best in the country, it is clearly going to be tough sledding for the Tigers from here on out. As the 2017 season begins, the best thing that the Tigers can do is win. National Signing day is still five months out, which means the Clemson football program has more than enough time to gain their momentum back.

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