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Clemson Football: Two big-time 2018 prospects trending to SEC programs

By Anthony Messenger

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers react in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers react in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson football program has a select few scholarships left available for the 2018 recruiting cycle. Unfortunately, two of the Tigers’ highest priority targets are currently trending elsewhere.

According to 247sports, Clemson football has the 8th ranked recruiting class in the country for the 2018 cycle. The Tigers have already managed to sign an eye-popping, five five-star prospects in Trevor Lawrence, Xavier Thomas, Jackson Carman, KJ Henry and Derion Kendrick.

Despite their success on the recruiting trail thus far, the Tigers’ coaching staff isn’t done just yet. Dabo Swinney and company are hot on the trail of five-star wide receiver, Justyn Ross and four-star defensive back, Leon O’Neal Jr.

Both Ross and O’Neal Jr. are trending elsewhere at the moment.

Justyn Ross

Hailing from Phenix City, Alabama, Ross is without a doubt the best wide receiver left unsigned. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Ross is seeping with NFL potential.

He’s the best wide receiver prospect to come out of the state of Alabama since Julio Jones. His long frame and his vertical speed make him nearly impossible to cover.

Much like former Tide receiver, Julio Jones, Ross is being heavily courted by Nick Saban and Alabama. It appears that the Tide’s persistence is beginning to pay off.

Ross was considered a Clemson lean during the season, however, Alabama has received majority of the crystal ball predictions for Ross over the past two months.

Leon O’Neal Jr.

Given Clemson’s recent losses in the secondary, signing another defensive back to compliment Kyler McMichael has become even more of a priority. Leon O’Neal Jr. is one of a few options for the Tigers.

Similar to Justyn Ross, Leon O’Neal Jr. is trending towards an in-state program. O’Neal a standout safety at Cypress Springs high school in Cypress, Texas, is trending towards the Texas A&M Aggies.

Being completely honest, Clemson was on the outside looking in in O’Neal’s recruitment. The Tigers did receive an official visit, however, A&M has been the favorite in his recruitment for some time now.

O’Neal was committed to the Aggies earlier in the process, but, backed off of his pledge when Kevin Sumlin was fired. It appears that newly appointed head coach, Jimbo Fisher is winning O’Neal over once again.

Good News

On the flip side of things, the Tigers’ just received a crystal ball prediction for former Nebraska commit, Mario Goodrich.

Goodrich reminds me of current Tiger, Isaiah Simmons.

Not only is Goodrich from the Midwest like Simmons, but, he has a similar frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. The Missouri native is also a dynamic athlete, who can impact the game in all three phases.

Goodrich can be seen playing, corner, wide receiver and returning punts and kicks for Lee’s Summit West high school.

Next: 2018 Early Position Outlook: Quarterback

With his length and ability to break on the ball in an instant, Goodrich could provide Clemson much needed depth in the secondary next season.

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