You’ve got recruiting questions and we have the answers.
Welcome to All Clemson’s recruiting mailbag, where we will answer your recruiting questions. Or we will at least attempt to do so, as recruiting is a world with many moving parts and an ever-changing landscape where circumstances can often change in a flash.
With that in mind, let’s dive in.
John: What’s the latest on 2024 OL Blake Franks?
We are nearing the end here. The in-state prospect will likely announce a commitment date any day now. While Clemson seemed like a lock late last year, the rival Gamecocks have really made a strong push over the past couple of months. I do think Franks has at least been a little torn in making his decision, but barring some major shift, it’s looking like he will probably end up in Columbia.
South Carolina gives him an easier path to the playing field, and he likes the idea of playing in the SEC, and both are things that have factored in here.
While it’s not very often the Gamecocks venture into the Upstate and flat beat Clemson out for a recruit right in their backyard, I think that is very likely to be the case here. Fortunately for Clemson, the Tigers do not have to rely on the state of South Carolina when it comes to recruiting. Dabo Swinney has built an established brand, giving the program a national reach.
If in fact Franks does end up in Columbia, all I would say is, don’t hit the panic button just yet. Clemson is looking to sign as many as four offensive linemen in this class and Thomas Austin knocked it out of the park with his first recruiting class in the 2023 cycle. Let’s see which players he ends up with before fretting over the ones the Tigers miss on.
Mike: How much longer will the staff wait to expand the board for a running back after March?
2024 RB David Eziomume is still the only running back with an offer. While the way the staff goes about recruiting running backs is frustrating for fans, there is a reason Eziomume is still the only back with an offer. The staff wants him to know he isn’t just a guy they will settle for, he is the only back they want. And Eziomume has told me that is something that has really made an impression on him.
As for when the board might expand, I’m not sure it will. Eziomume also told me he is eyeing a March 1 commitment date, and if that holds up, I think that might bode well for the Tigers. Georgia Tech is the competition, and the Yellow Jackets just expanded their board, handing out a new running back offer over the weekend.
Having said all that, if Eziomume were to push his decision back for some reason, I don’t think we would get very far into March before seeing Clemson widen the net, so to speak.
Kevin: Any names other than the QB being mentioned that Riley was recruiting at TCU? Or WRs?
I assume you are referring to Marcos Davila, the current TCU commit. While his is a name that has been mentioned as one to keep an eye on, that is as far as it has gone. Clemson is not actively recruiting him, nor would they while he was still committed. Garret Riley would not do that to Sonny Dykes.
As for the next quarterback target, Prentiss “Air” Noland (Langston Hughes, Fairburn, Ga) just might be that guy, as he is reportedly set to visit Clemson in March. I’m not sure that has much to do with Riley and his tenure at TCU, though.
The left-hander is a true dual-threat guy. He is one of the ten best quarterbacks in the class and a fringe Top 100 talent. At least according to one of the services.
Clemson’s recruitment of Noland is still in the very early stages, though. He doesn’t even have an offer yet. Let’s see where things stand after he gets to campus.
As for the wide receivers, the number is currently two and the targets are unchanged. Alex Taylor, Braylon Staley, TJ Moore and Jonathan Paylor are still the main players.
Billy: Yeah, I am curious if the sunglasses are getting an overhaul or staying the same???
I have absolutely invested in a new pair of shades. The last pair lost their magic. I have a feeling they might soon be making their debut. We shall see.
Wanna ask a recruiting question, shoot us an email a jp@clemsonmaven.io or shoot us a DM on Twitter.
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