5 Clemson Football freshmen who are sleepers in 2024
By John Chancey
Ricardo Jones
Jones played football at Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. He is a 4-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and is ranked as the 152nd-best player in the nation.
Everyone understands Jones has talent. The question, like with several of the players on this list, is the depth that Clemson already has returning from 2023. Safety is one of the areas Clemson will be strongest in 2024.
The jewel was RJ Mickens, who decided to return for another year instead of testing the professional waters. The bonus is Tyler Venables, who will be returning after a year away with injuries.
The best part of 2023 at safety was the emergence of Khalil Barnes and Kylon Griffin. Barnes stepped in when injuries impacted both Andrew Mukuba and Jalyn Phillips.
Then note that Sherrod Covil and Kylen Webb will also be in the mix and you see why safety is a deep group.
That doesn’t mean that Jones can’t ascend the ladder. It just means that he will have to stand out at every opportunity possible. Some players do that. If there is somebody on the defensive side that the scouts think can be special that we don’t have our eyes on because they isn’t an immediate need, it would be Jones.
Next: Christian Bentancur