Friday Insider Notes
By: Paul Strelow
Another week, another new corner offer.
Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage four-star Earl Little Jr. picked up Clemson's third new corner offer in as many weeks Thursday, doing so after a talk with defensive coordinator and area recruiter Brent Venables.
We have framed the Tigers as creating options, especially should they in time be in position to sign three for this class.
Little (6-0, 175), ranked No. 93 nationally by Rivals.com, released a top six earlier this week featuring Alabama, Miami, Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC.
The Tide are widely believed the favorite, as Little is coached by former NFL corner Pat Surtain -- whose son, Patrick II, was a first-round NFL Draft pick last week.
Earl Little Jr. is billed 12th overall regardless of position in the state of Florida.
Little is set to ]give USC an official visit June 11, the weekend of Clemson's Elite Retreat. He then plans to spend the next weekend at Alabama on an unofficial visit.
Should his recruitment last beyond then, Little has penciled in game official visits dates next fall with Florida, FSU, LSU -- ending with Bama in November.
Little told us that the offer propels Clemson into his top six.
“Been waiting on this one for the longest,” he said.
Clemson won't win this recruitment over the summer. But it's a calculated effort to see if it might have a chance to either prolong the recruitment or get the chance to be in a final discussion later on.
Little said he anticipates visiting Clemson next month.
Clemson won't win this recruitment over the summer. But it's a calculated effort to see if it might have a chance to either prolong the recruitment or get the chance to be in a final discussion later on.
**** The Tigers also made the formal cut Thursday for another of their recent corner offers.
Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic high-three star Jayden Bellamy released a final six composed of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma and Rutgers.
Bellamy (6-1, 175) has official visits lined up to Penn State (June 11), Notre Dame (June 18) and Ohio State (June 25). It remains to be seen whether he squeezes in an unofficial to Clemson next month.
But let's just say we also aren't sold the market has quite been set for him yet, either.
**** We've already mentioned a couple of prominent rising junior running backs who have made arrangements to compete at the first week of the Swinney Camp.
A new prospect quickly gaining traction in relative proximity will likely be added to that wish list.
Cornelius (N.C.) Vance 2023 running back Daylan Smothers has stockpiled offers the last two weeks as his team advances to another state championship appearance Saturday.
Smothers (5-11, 185) has racked up offers from Tennessee, Penn State, South Carolina, N.C. State, Boston College, Wake Forest, Michigan State and West Virginia.
In 10 games, he has rushed for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns on 133 carries.
Clemson has yet to reach out but is aware of him, per our contacts.
Smothers squares off Saturday against Wake Forest (N.C.) Rolesville and rising junior receiver Noah Rogers, who also piques Clemson's interest.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
By: Paul Strelow
Another week, another new corner offer.
Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage four-star Earl Little Jr. picked up Clemson's third new corner offer in as many weeks Thursday, doing so after a talk with defensive coordinator and area recruiter Brent Venables.
We have framed the Tigers as creating options, especially should they in time be in position to sign three for this class.
Little (6-0, 175), ranked No. 93 nationally by Rivals.com, released a top six earlier this week featuring Alabama, Miami, Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC.
The Tide are widely believed the favorite, as Little is coached by former NFL corner Pat Surtain -- whose son, Patrick II, was a first-round NFL Draft pick last week.
Earl Little Jr. is billed 12th overall regardless of position in the state of Florida.
Little is set to ]give USC an official visit June 11, the weekend of Clemson's Elite Retreat. He then plans to spend the next weekend at Alabama on an unofficial visit.
Should his recruitment last beyond then, Little has penciled in game official visits dates next fall with Florida, FSU, LSU -- ending with Bama in November.
Little told us that the offer propels Clemson into his top six.
“Been waiting on this one for the longest,” he said.
Clemson won't win this recruitment over the summer. But it's a calculated effort to see if it might have a chance to either prolong the recruitment or get the chance to be in a final discussion later on.
Little said he anticipates visiting Clemson next month.
Clemson won't win this recruitment over the summer. But it's a calculated effort to see if it might have a chance to either prolong the recruitment or get the chance to be in a final discussion later on.
**** The Tigers also made the formal cut Thursday for another of their recent corner offers.
Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic high-three star Jayden Bellamy released a final six composed of Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Penn State, Oklahoma and Rutgers.
Bellamy (6-1, 175) has official visits lined up to Penn State (June 11), Notre Dame (June 18) and Ohio State (June 25). It remains to be seen whether he squeezes in an unofficial to Clemson next month.
But let's just say we also aren't sold the market has quite been set for him yet, either.
**** We've already mentioned a couple of prominent rising junior running backs who have made arrangements to compete at the first week of the Swinney Camp.
A new prospect quickly gaining traction in relative proximity will likely be added to that wish list.
Cornelius (N.C.) Vance 2023 running back Daylan Smothers has stockpiled offers the last two weeks as his team advances to another state championship appearance Saturday.
Smothers (5-11, 185) has racked up offers from Tennessee, Penn State, South Carolina, N.C. State, Boston College, Wake Forest, Michigan State and West Virginia.
In 10 games, he has rushed for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns on 133 carries.
Clemson has yet to reach out but is aware of him, per our contacts.
Smothers squares off Saturday against Wake Forest (N.C.) Rolesville and rising junior receiver Noah Rogers, who also piques Clemson's interest.
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE for more DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel and gear!
