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Clemson football: The 2017 signee that got away

By Jeff Benedict

Clemson defensive end Justin Mascoll(7), left, defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney (44), and defensive end Logan Rudolph(34) line up during practice at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson Friday, December 13, 2019. The Tigers are preparing for the College Football Playoffs semi-final game with Ohio State University played in Glendale, Arizona on December 28, 2019.2019 Cfp Semi Final Game Practice In Clemson
Clemson defensive end Justin Mascoll(7), left, defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney (44), and defensive end Logan Rudolph(34) line up during practice at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson Friday, December 13, 2019. The Tigers are preparing for the College Football Playoffs semi-final game with Ohio State University played in Glendale, Arizona on December 28, 2019.2019 Cfp Semi Final Game Practice In Clemson /
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Clemson football has recruited and developed at an elite level for most of the last decade – even though recruiting rankings will not reflect that. According to the recruiting experts, the Tigers have had just two top-five classes under head coach Dabo Swinney.

Despite the lack of top five classes by those in the industry, Clemson football has won a lot of games and championships. Coach Swinney has labeled the 2020’s like the “roaring 20s” as he clearly expects that success to continue.

Looking back on the 2017 recruiting class it is easy to see how great they all were and it’s also easy to see who we wish had worked out better over the last several years.

To refresh your memory, here are the 14 members of Clemson football 2017 signing class:

  1. Tee Higgins, WR, 5-star
  2. Hunter Johnson, QB, 5-star
  3. AJ Terrell, CB, 4-star
  4. Amari Rodgers, WR, 4-star
  5. Justin Foster, DE, 4-star
  6. Jordan Williams, DE, 4-star
  7. LeAnthony Williams, CB, 4-star
  8. Travis Etienne, RB, 4-star
  9. Matt Bockhorst, OG, 4-star
  10. Logan Rudolph, DE, 4-star
  11. Blake Vinson, OT, 3-star
  12. Chase Brice, QB, 3-star
  13. Noah DeHond, OT, 3-star
  14. Baylon Spector, S, 3-star

Clemson football hit on most of the 2017 recruiting class

Looking over this class, Clemson football hit on most of the members of this class. Higgins, Rodgers, and Etienne were all NFL draft picks and each left a lasting mark on the Tigers program.

Justin Foster, Baylon Spector, and Matt Bockhorst are either starters or listed on the two-deep for a very talented 2021 Tigers roster.

Johnson, Jordan Williams, LeAnthony Williams, and Brice all transferred at some point over the last several years. Noah DeHond, Blake Vinson, and Logan Rudolph all retired from football due to injury or to chase other adventures.

Of this class, the one that we wished we could have seen more from was defensive end, Logan Rudolph.

His commitment video will always be legendary with the hilarious outfit and the ax. His play on the field was also on the verge of making him a household name for college football fans.

In his three seasons as a Tiger, he played in 23 games and accounted for 7 tackles for loss, one sack, and one touchdown – he started nine games in 2019 (played in 13) his 2019 redshirt sophomore season.

Given the injuries that hit the Clemson football defensive line last year with both Xavier Thomas and Justin Foster missing most or all of the season, Rudolph would have been that veteran presence they needed among all the young guys that were forced into action.

Rudolph decided to retire and chase acting out in Hollywood, something that he had always wanted to do. While he has not appeared in anything major yet, there is no doubt at some point we will see his name appear on the screen.

It’s just a shame he couldn’t wait two more years.

dark. Next. No excuses, Just say you don’t like Clemson

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