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Clemson Football: 7 elite recruits who never matched their star-ratings

By Shawn Spencer

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 7: A general view of Howards Rock in Memorial Stadium prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs on September 7, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 7: A general view of Howards Rock in Memorial Stadium prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs on September 7, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Clemson Tigers during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The Clemson football program has recruited and developed at a high level for quite some time, but not every single recruit works out.

The Clemson football program has been recruiting and developing at a level we’ve never seen before over the past few years.

As National Signing Day took place this week, we decided to look back at some elite recruits who never quite matched their star-ratings for Clemson football.

Here are seven star-studded high school players who never quite panned out with the Clemson football program. For this list, we decided to look back from the class of 2000 and beyond.

7. Jamie Harper, RB (2008)

Jamie Harper was considered a 5-star by several services and at the very least a 4-star by others. In terms of all-time recruiting, Harper was rated the No. 36 overall prospect to ever sign with Clemson football by 247 Sports- in terms of star-ratings.

He was expected to be a big, explosive running back who could come in and make an immediate impact with his physical presence.

Harper was promised the first carry of the season by former coach Tommy Bowden and fumbled. He rushed 197 times for 760 yards and three touchdowns during his junior season and elected to enter the NFL Draft, later being drafted by the Tennessee Titans.

Though Harper was a solid running back during his time with Clemson football, he never developed into that elite ball-carrier that many Tigers had hoped for.

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