The big day for the Dabo Swinney Football Camp first session got underway Tuesday morning as the infusion of one-day campers – commuters, they are technically called – poured onto campus.
Still, the biggest attraction remains North Charleston (S.C.) Fort Dorchester four-star lineman John Simpson.
We had heard Simpson intended to work out this morning just as he did to open Monday’s action. But Simpson instead hung around the offensive line drills for a second straight period. This time, director of recruiting and external affairs Thad Turnipseed took his turn conversing with Simpson for an extended length of time.
The process reminds us a lot of how Clemson approached Summerville linemen Zack Bailey a year ago. It’s not about one person’s relationship impacting the recruitment.
The family environment is one of the biggest attractions prospects have to the program, and they foster that feel with prospects by having them engaged with so many members of the staff and team.
Simpson now plans to spend tonight as well and leave toward the conclusion of camp Wednesday.
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Clemson loves big safeties. And it dispensed an offer Tuesday to a 2017 who fits that bill.
Woodstock (Ga.) Etowah’s Stuart Head (6-4, 190) visited for the spring game and has been on the Tigers’ radar since last summer.
Head has offers from California and Charlotte, but here’s suspecting his recruitment will take off with this offer.
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The one-day infusion always means an upgrade in talent at various positions.
Defensive line got a serious boost with the arrival of Florence (S.C.) Wilson 2018 defensive end Xavier Thomas.
Thomas (6-2, 235) drew the immediate attention of defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
He is thick, strong and explosive off the ball – all of which is why Florida State already tossed in an offer. Thomas, who grew up a South Carolina fan, will visit its showcase next month.
Thomas and Anderson (S.C.) T.L. Hanna 2018 Stephon Wynn Jr. (6-3, 225) are impressive on the hoof.
But even they were trumped Tuesday by a new in-state prospect on the radar.
Chrishawn Wilson
West Florence produced Clemson’s Malliciah Goodman in the 2009 class, and it has another intriguing 2017 prospect in Chrishawn Wilson.
Area recruiter Danny Pearman was the first coach on Wilson (6-6, 236), who has generated interest from Appalachian State and Charlotte during the spring.
Clemson also played host to Pendleton (S.C.)’s Brad Johnson (6-3, 210), a hybrid player who worked out at defensive end.
Brad Johnson
Rounding out the group was McDonough (Ga.) ELCA 2018 Tyrese Black. Black (6-3, 253) camped at Georgia last weekend and is another who passes the eyeball test.
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The talent also jumped at receiver.
Waltersboro (S.C.) Colleton County 2018 Justin Williams flashed his athleticism in the drills we were privy too, while Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe athlete Derion Kendrick will be an offer candidate at several positions for schools (although we think he probably projects best as a cornerback).
Tampa (Fla.) Bay Tech 2017 Daquon Green, a former teammate of Clemson five-star signee Deon Cain, also demonstrated why he owns a fair share of major offers.
Lexington (S.C.) 2016 receiver Jayson Hopper drew the attention of Dabo Swinney as well. Clemson continues to tell Hopper to be patient should a spot open later in the class.
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Cameron Graham, Chandler Reeves
The offensive tackle auditions were highlighted by McDonough (Ga.) ELCA 2016 Chandler Reeves (6-6, 255) and Canton (Ga.) Cherokee 2017 Cameron Graham.
Reeves holds offers from Georgia Tech, Maryland, ECU, South Florida, Syracuse and California.
Swinney also visited with Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County tackle Adam Raschilla (6-5, 300).
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Malik Grate
Venables also spent time talking beforehand with Pendleton (S.C.) cornerback Malik Grate (5-11, 160), a Wake Forest offer who worked out.
As we reported, Greer (S.C.) corner Troy Pride – a Virginia Tech commitment – traveled to watch his brother compete at the camp.
We didn’t see McAdory (Ala.) McCalla 2017 four-star Malcolm Askew work out, but Swinney spent time talking with Askew and his father before drills began.
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EXTRA POINTS …
A bus load of prospects from the Orlando area attended, including bystanders in Oak Ridge high three-star linebacker Jonathan Jones (Michigan target) and safety Zacoby Birch, a Wisconsin lean.
Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern 2017 tight end Logan Rudolph, brother of Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, is slated to compete this afternoon.
Argyle (Texas) tight end commitment J.C. Chalk worked out again and was joined at the position by Irmo (S.C.) Chapin 2017 Will Register.
Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter 2018 corner Derrik Allen tweeted before camp that he had gained a Clemson offer as well.
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