Tigers looking at J.L. Mann prospect as the next DeAndre McDaniel

Pat Martin visited Clemson last week and likes the Clemson facilities, and its proximity to his Greenville home.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Feb 08 10:04:54 GMT-04:00 2010

J.L. Mann safety Pat Martin is already drawing comparisons to Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel, and an offer from the Clemson coaches can’t be far behind.

Martin visited Clemson last week, already has an offer in hand from Minnesota, and is drawing interest from Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Alabama and Georgia.

His Clemson recruiter is Andre Powell, and he said Powell told him that the Clemson coaches were reviewing his tape.

“Coach Powell told me that with scholarships, they have to look at a lot of film,” Martin. “Coach Cheese [Charlie Harbison] is going to evaluate it, and they are going to let their defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach see it. But he did tell me that they were looking at me like a DeAndre McDaniel type on defense.”

Martin said he likes the Clemson facilities, and its proximity to his Greenville home.

“They took me around the facilities and showed me everything,” he said. “I know Clemson is a program on the rise, and I would love to go there and be close to home. All of my coaches and friends could come and see me play.”

Martin said he thinks his game also compares to Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett, and that he loves the physical side of the game.

“I think I play like Burnett and McDaniel, because they love to hit and be a ball hawk,” he said. “I love the physical side of the game and coming up and hitting people. I don’t play a finesse type of football, because there is nothing finesse about football to me.”

Martin said that even though interest in him is just beginning to climb, he would like to make a decision soon so he can concentrate on his senior season as a Patriot.

“I think it will be good if I decide early,” he said. “I don’t plan on being in the recruiting process long. I might take a serious look at trying to be the No. 1 safety in America. But right now, my focus is on getting better and getting the recruiting process over with early.”

2011 Football Commitments


Shaq Anthony        OL   6-5 260 Piedmont, SC (Wren HS)


Cortez Davis        DB   6-5 200 Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland HS)


Brandon Ellerbe     ATH  6-1 200 Wadesboro, NC (Anson HS)


Marlin Lane         RB   6-1 190 Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland HS)


Tony McNeal         QB   6-1 180 Chester, SC (Chester, HS)


Robert Smith        ATH  6-0 180 Ft Dorchester, SC (Woodland HS)


DeShaun Williams    DT   6-0 280 Central, SC (Daniel HS)