Several years ago, Clemson went into Louisiana late in the recruiting process and pulled out Travis Etienne as the clock struck midnight. The Tigers are known to do this. Former Clemson safety K’von Wallace, now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, was another one of those late commits to the Tigers. CB Trayvon Mullen was a heavy lean towards home state favorite, LSU, but on signing day that year, signed with the Tigers. The rest is history for all three of these players.
Here lately, the Tigers have struck out on highly touted running backs, and for whatever reason, can’t seem to land that “one 5-star back” they so badly need. What is the issue? Is it who is recruiting them? Is it NIL $$$$, which appears to be the case with a certain 5-star RB that decommitted from Texas and went to Louisville? Is it a case of a certain running back deciding to stay home and play for instate Auburn? For whatever reason, Dabo and staff are in the process of searching now for that diamond in the rough, the hidden gem.
Last year, the Tigers traveled to the state of Utah to get Clemson legacy Keith Adams, Jr, to come home. The 4-star RB was not highly recruited, probably due to Utah not exactly known as a hotbed for high school football talent. At 5-10, 205, he has the measurables, the numbers, and of course, the pedigree. He will find reps hard to find in 2022 due to the depth chart, but has time to develop.
Two prospects could fill that bill going forward. 3-star running back Christopher Johnson, 5-11 178, picked up a Clemson offer today, his 33rd offer. On July 1st, Johnson, who plays for Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, released his top six, Clemson, Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. This prospect brings home run capability and it’s no wonder he has the amount of offers he does. As a junior, he won the Florida 3A State title in the 100-meter dash AND the 200-meter dash. He would certainly fit into the “steal” category if Clemson could get him out of the state and away from Alabama, Miami and FSU.
RB Jarvis Green out of Dutch Fork High School in the middle of the state is another prospect that has eye popping numbers, but hasn’t been highly recruited……yet. Green, 5-11 190, is not yet rated but that status will surely change, especially with a strong senior season. As a junior, Green had 172 carries for 1,581 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also had 29 receptions for 423 yards and four more touchdowns. Green does have 16 offers to date. Could the Tigers be interested?
When it’s all said and done, the Tigers 2023 recruiting class has surprised a lot of people. With 16 commitments to date, the Tigers are currently ranked 4th in the 247 recruiting ranks, but it’s a roller coaster. Running back has escaped the class so far. Can Dabo find another late bloomer? Clemson fans hope so.
