Clemson Football: Why Zacch Pickens is a priority target for the Tigers
The 2019 Clemson football recruiting class will feature several talented defensive linemen. The most prominent, should he commit, may be Zacch Pickens.
When you look at the priority targets for Clemson football in 2019, it’s clear that the Tigers want to take several defensive linemen.
That makes sense considering that you had a transfer and you will lose all four starters- most likely- and a couple of reserves from this year’s team.
While there will still be plenty of talent there, the Tigers will need to look to stock up in this year’s class.
Out of its 12 commitments, Clemson football has garnered a commitment from just one defensive lineman (3-star Tayquon Johnson) so far.
While there are many defensive linemen on the Tigers’ list, 5-star Zacch Pickens may be on the top of the board.
A Talented In-State Product…
Pickens goes to school down at TL Hanna out of Anderson, S.C. That’s about as close as you can get to Clemson.
Pickens is ranked by 247 sports as the nation’s No. 13 overall player and the No. 1 player in the state of South Carolina.
His talent, mixed with his proximity makes him a very desirable target for Clemson football.
Pickens is a strong side defensive end with incredible power. He just overpowers his blockers when he plays against them and goes directly to the ball. He also has great footwork when he needs to get by his man in a different way.
Before his college career is over, Pickens has a chance to be a monster. Pickens weighed about 268 at the end of his junior season. I’d imagine that he comes on campus anywhere between 270-285. By the end of his college career, he could playing at a healthy 290 with a little weight room work.
Next: 2019 Recruiting: Priority Targets for Clemson
He could also keep down in the 270s and be a sharp defensive end with a little more speed, but I think Pickens is a guy that could come in and play Austin Bryant’s position. He does a great job creating havoc and getting in the backfield. It’s easy to see why he’s so desirable and it will be interesting to see what Pickens ends up deciding when it’s all said and done.