CLEMSON — Quality over Quantity.
Dabo Swinney will likely espouse the merits of quality trumping quantity this afternoon, as Clemson might have the fewest commitments of any BCS program when classes are officially announced today.
Clemson had 11 commitments on the eve of National Signing Day, the fewest of any power conference school. According to Scout.com, only six programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision have fewer commitments entering the day: a list including the likes of Buffalo, San Jose State and Eastern Michigan. Syracuse has the next fewest commits (13) among BCS conference schools.
While volume is down — for a litany of reasons — recruiting services like what Clemson does have. Sure, Clemson likely won't record a fifth straight top 25 class, but entering day, the Tigers have a 42nd overall ranking from Scout.com and a 32nd overall mark from Rivals.com.
Four-star recruits Malliciah Goodman and J.K. Jay have signed letters of intent. And Clemson has verbals from Tajh Boyd, Rivals.com's No. 4 rated pro-style quarterback, and four-star prospects in receiver Bryce McNeal, defensive back Jonathan Meeks and offensive tackle Brandon Thomas. Boyd is Clemson's lone five-star catch.
It is the last class Billy Napier will oversee as recruiting coordinator, as he turns his focus to his new offensive coordinator duties.
For the most part we have a pretty deep roster,
Napier said. I feel really good about each individual that makes up this class and what they bring.
I thought (the few available scholarships) was a positive. We didn't have to sign a lot of borderline guys.
Originally, Clemson had targeted around 20 signees for their class. But Ricky Sapp and C.J. Spiller returned to school, and Swinney then allotted scholarships to walk-ons Spencer Benton — who figures to compete for kicking duties this spring — and receiver Terrance Ashe.
Napier said those moves knocked the Tigers down to 15 available scholarships.
Napier said with so few scholarships available the staff couldn't be 'aggressive' on the recruiting trail.
Moreover, with the transition to a new head coach and several staff members, Clemson elected to target a few high-profile targets, while also trying to secure their own commitments. After Tommy Bowden vacated the head coaching position, schools figured to key on Clemson commitments.
It was hard for everybody,
said Jay, who is already enrolled. We committed to coach Bowden and his staff and we didn't know what was going to happen. We didn't know if coach Swinney was going to be the new coach or if they were going to bring in a guy who was going to clean house.
The Tigers also left several slots open as they targeted prospects who have not chosen destinations. The players include 6-3 receiver Kendall Kelly (Gadsden, Ala.) and running back Bryce Brown (Wichita, Kan.), who is Rivals.com's No. 1 overall prospect.
Brown's interest in Clemson was renewed after Boyd, a close friend, announced his decision to join the Tigers last week.
Kelly will make his decision at 1:30 p.m. live on ESPNU along with teammate Darrell Smith, a two-star prospect, who has also been offered by Clemson. Brown might not make a decision today.
The Tigers were hoping to pry running back Tim Simon (Cordova, Ala.) away from his commitment to Ole Miss, but reports have him signing with the Rebels.
While Clemson grabbed a prize in Boyd last week, their small class sustained a net loss of numbers in the past week.
The Tigers were dealt a considerable loss when Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy defensive end Leon Mackey defected from Clemson last week due to multiple reports: either Virginia Tech would not release him from his letter of intent, he signed with the Hokies prior to attending Hargrave, or an ACC rule would have forced him to sit out a year as he would be transferring from a member school. Either way, Mackey appears destined for somewhere else, possibly South Carolina.
Clemson suffered another loss when it was revealed Warner Robins, Ga., linebacker Eric Fields, a four-star prospect, was ineligible due to academic issues.
Clemson hopes to land a few gifts today to make up for these losses, but nonetheless it will remain a small, but talented, crop.
