----
TUESDAY UPDATE
By: Paul Strelow
All's well that ends well, as we teased on the WestZone message board Monday evening.
As we reported, McDonough (Ga.) Eagle's Landing Christian Academy four-star offensive lineman Zechariah Owens had initiated contact with Clemson coaches in an effort to reclaim his spot on the commitment list.
Furthermore, per our intel, we indicated that conversations were ongoing about what direction the Tigers would take.
We can now tell you that Owens (6-6, 350), ranked No. 188 nationally by Rivals.com, spoke with Dabo Swinney on Monday afternoon.
We anticipate public clarity today from Owens, a projection by Tigerillustrated.com to rejoin Clemson's recruiting class.
Four-star offensive lineman Zechariah Owens is set to clear the air and rejoin Clemson's 2023 recruiting class.
For those who haven't followed the details -- or who are just trusting contorted reports from aggregating sites across the landscape -- it will appear as if Owens simply decommitted to take a Florida State visit, only to change his mind responsively after the Tigers' victory.
Or worse and even more inaccurate yet, considering the financial implications suggested in his potential flip elsewhere, that so-called NIL contributed to the switch back. Not at all, in fact.
Ultimately, as we wrote, Owens' decommitment wasn't about money. It was about which family voice held the most weight in his decision.
The manner in how this has unfolded since the weekend strongly reaffirms this point: Owens decided that the choice will be his.
We believe this latest move takes some personal guts, conviction and fortitude.
Once you jump out of the Clemson boat, it's tough to get back in. The majority of the time, the Tigers sever communication and immediately go their separate ways.
Only 2016 five-star Shaq Smith has decommitted from Clemson and returned to the signee list, and let's just say his reopened recruitment came via extenuating circumstances of which the Tigers were aware while anticipating he would be back.
So this as much tells you about how Clemson interpreted Owens' situation and how coaches feel about the young man.
**** If and when the Tigers soon get back to three offensive line commitments, the logical progression is wondering how that impacts Clemson's pursuit of additional linemen -- particularly the one it offered in the wake of Owens' decommitment.
The Tigers immediately reached out to Provo (Utah) Timpview four-star tackle Spencer Fano, who summarily penciled in a Clemson official visit next month.
Clemson also has an outstanding offer to Owens' four-star offensive line teammate, D.J. Chester. The Tigers have continued trying to lure Chester to take an unofficial visit as soon as Saturday's noon game against Syracuse.
As we've chronicled, Chester's recruitment is independent of Owens' on all sides, so the needle returning to Clemson's corner wouldn't move the needle.
Based on our info, the Tigers intend to stay the course in courting another offensive lineman for this class.
So all systems remain go as Clemson seeks to land a fourth lineman.
DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON gear at THE TIGER FAN SHOP HERE!
TUESDAY UPDATE
By: Paul Strelow
All's well that ends well, as we teased on the WestZone message board Monday evening.
As we reported, McDonough (Ga.) Eagle's Landing Christian Academy four-star offensive lineman Zechariah Owens had initiated contact with Clemson coaches in an effort to reclaim his spot on the commitment list.
Furthermore, per our intel, we indicated that conversations were ongoing about what direction the Tigers would take.
We can now tell you that Owens (6-6, 350), ranked No. 188 nationally by Rivals.com, spoke with Dabo Swinney on Monday afternoon.
We anticipate public clarity today from Owens, a projection by Tigerillustrated.com to rejoin Clemson's recruiting class.
Four-star offensive lineman Zechariah Owens is set to clear the air and rejoin Clemson's 2023 recruiting class.
For those who haven't followed the details -- or who are just trusting contorted reports from aggregating sites across the landscape -- it will appear as if Owens simply decommitted to take a Florida State visit, only to change his mind responsively after the Tigers' victory.
Or worse and even more inaccurate yet, considering the financial implications suggested in his potential flip elsewhere, that so-called NIL contributed to the switch back. Not at all, in fact.
Ultimately, as we wrote, Owens' decommitment wasn't about money. It was about which family voice held the most weight in his decision.
The manner in how this has unfolded since the weekend strongly reaffirms this point: Owens decided that the choice will be his.
We believe this latest move takes some personal guts, conviction and fortitude.
Once you jump out of the Clemson boat, it's tough to get back in. The majority of the time, the Tigers sever communication and immediately go their separate ways.
Only 2016 five-star Shaq Smith has decommitted from Clemson and returned to the signee list, and let's just say his reopened recruitment came via extenuating circumstances of which the Tigers were aware while anticipating he would be back.
So this as much tells you about how Clemson interpreted Owens' situation and how coaches feel about the young man.
**** If and when the Tigers soon get back to three offensive line commitments, the logical progression is wondering how that impacts Clemson's pursuit of additional linemen -- particularly the one it offered in the wake of Owens' decommitment.
The Tigers immediately reached out to Provo (Utah) Timpview four-star tackle Spencer Fano, who summarily penciled in a Clemson official visit next month.
Clemson also has an outstanding offer to Owens' four-star offensive line teammate, D.J. Chester. The Tigers have continued trying to lure Chester to take an unofficial visit as soon as Saturday's noon game against Syracuse.
As we've chronicled, Chester's recruitment is independent of Owens' on all sides, so the needle returning to Clemson's corner wouldn't move the needle.
Based on our info, the Tigers intend to stay the course in courting another offensive lineman for this class.
So all systems remain go as Clemson seeks to land a fourth lineman.
DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON gear at THE TIGER FAN SHOP HERE!
