CLEMSON RECRUITING

Signing Day Central 2018

Signing Day Central 2018


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Check back all day on Wednesday to see the latest on Clemson's 2018 recruiting class.

Last Updated: 11:30AM






# Name POS HT, WT Espn Rivals 247 TigerNet Stars Hometown Status
1. Xavier Thomas DE 6-3, 260 #2 DE #1 DE #1 SDE 5 Star 5.00 Bradenton, FL Enrolled
2. Trevor Lawrence QB 6-6, 208 #1 QB-PP #1 QB #1 PRO 5 Star 5.00 Cartersville, GA Enrolled
3. KJ Henry DE 6-5, 235 #3 DE #3 DE #4 WDE 5 Star 5.00 Clemmons, NC Enrolled
4. Mike Jones Jr. LB 6-0, 228 #10 LB #32 LB #17 SDE 4 Star 4.40 Bradenton, FL Enrolled
5. Derion Kendrick WR 6-1, 184 #6 ATH #6 WR #6 WR 5 Star 5.00 Rock Hill, SC Enrolled
6. Josh Belk DT 6-3, 309 #7 DT #21 DT #1 DT 4 Star 4.33 Richburg, SC Enrolled
7. Justin Mascoll DE 6-4, 237 #12 DE #12 DE #8 WDE 4 Star 4.74 Snellville, GA Signed
8. Jackson Carman OL 6-6, 330 #2 OL #2 OL #4 OT 4 Star 4.81 Fairfield, OH Enrolled
9. Kyler McMichael DB 6-1, 201 #8 ATH #8 DB #9 CB 4 Star 4.54 Norcross, GA Signed
10. Darnell Jefferies DT 6-2, 285 #23 DT #53 DT #33 DT 3 Star 3.70 Covington, GA Enrolled
11. Lyn-J Dixon RB 5-10, 178 #9 RB #10 RB #11 APB 4 Star 4.53 Butler, GA Signed
12. BT Potter K 5-11, 165 #7 K #2 K #10 K 3 Star 3.02 Rock Hill, SC Signed
13. Jake Venables LB 6-2, 229 #54 LB #32 LB #21 OLB 3 Star 3.04 Central, SC Signed
14. Braden Galloway TE 6-6, 225 #27 TE-H #47 TE #27 TE 3 Star 3.02 Seneca, SC Enrolled
15. Jordan McFadden OL 6-4, 290 #47 OL #64 OL #81 OT 3 Star 3.36 Roebuck, SC Signed
16. Mario Goodrich DB 6-2, 180 #19 CB #13 CB #6 WR 4 Star 4.45 Lees Summit, MO 8:45AM
17. Justyn Ross WR 6-4, 201 #11 WR #2 WR #15 WR 4 Star 4.56 Phenix City, AL 1:30PM

*4-star Lee’s Summit (MO) CB Mario Goodrich - Finalists: LSU, Georgia, and Clemson. - CLEMSON

*3-star Tucker (GA) S Trevon Flowers - Finalists: Clemson, Kentucky and Tennessee. - TENN

*5-star American Heritage (FL) CB Patrick Surtain Jr. - Finalists: LSU, Alabama, and Clemson. - ALABAMA

*4-star Shelby (NC) LB Dax Hollifield - Finalists: UNC, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Clemson. - VT

*5-star Central (AL) WR Justyn Ross - Finalists: Alabama, Clemson, and Auburn. - CLEMSON

*4-star Cambridge Christian (FL) OT Richard Gouraige - Florida commitment, but has visited Ole Miss and Clemson this month and has also made a stop at Auburn. - FLORIDA

* Dabo Swinney press conference - 2:30 p.m.

Trevor Lawrence Photo
Trevor Lawrence QB 6-6, 208 Cartersville, GA 5 Star 5.00

Considered the No. 1 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com and 247 Sports and the No. 2 player by ESPN.com…unanimous five-star player…National Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today Offensive Player of the Year…first-team Quarterback on USA Today All-American team…top quarterback in the nation and top player from the state of Georgia from Rivals and 247 Sports…No. 2 player in Georgia by ESPN…Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia in 2016 and 2017…four-year starter at quarterback at Cartersville High School, he began starting in third game of his freshman year and finished 52-2 as starter for his career… led program to a 41-game winning streak at one point…had 14-2 record as a starter in the playoffs over his career…led Cartersville to four region titles, two state titles and three state playoff Final Fours….passed for 13,908 yards during his four-year career and threw for 161 touchdowns…had just 21 interceptions against those 161 touchdown passes…broke state records for passing yards and touchdown passes previously held by Deshaun Watson...in 2017 had 41 touchdown passes and just one interception…in 12 games in 2017 he completed 177 of 256 passes for 3,396 yards, a .700 completion percentage…also had 30-200 rushing and two scores…as a senior led Cartersville to a 52-45 victory over Bartram Trail in a nationally televised game on ESPN …averaged 19.6 yards per completion as a senior…in 2016 as a junior led team to 15-0 record by completing 250 of 406 passes for 3904 yards…threw career high 51 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions… as a sophomore, led team to state title with a 15-0 record by completing 233 of 364 for 3655 yards and 43 touchdowns against just four interceptions…also had 52 rushes for 235 yards and four scores… had four 300-yard passing games in 2015…as a freshman in 2014 began starting with the third game of the season…. for the year was 187-310 for 3053 yards and 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions…two-time state AAAA champion in the state of Georgia…competed in the Elite 11 finals…named an Elite 11 Quarterback…invited to Nike’s annual The Opening in Oregon last summer……first-team All-state in Georgia 4A his last three years…Offensive player of the year and first team AAAA All-State in 2015, 2016 and 2017… wore No. 16 in high school…played at Cartersville High for Joey King…former Clemson football player Kyle Tucker is also an assistant coach on that staff…committed to the Tigers on 12/16/2016…plans to enroll at Clemson on January 8, 2018, just two days after playing in the US Army All-American game…recruited by Brandon Streeter.

Plyler says: I have had a couple of college coaches tell me this is the best high school football player they have ever seen and I agree. Lawrence looks like Peyton Manning but throws it better on the run. He is a much better athlete than Peyton was. There is not a throw he can't make. Lawrence is 6-6 and moves like a pass-run option guy. He is tough mentally and physically. Lawrence broke all of Deshaun Watson's passing records in Georgia. This is a rare "can't miss" prospect

Reminds Plyler of: Charlie Whitehurst

Braden Galloway Photo
Braden Galloway TE 6-6, 230 Seneca, SC 3 Star 3.02

All-around athlete who played tight end and quarterback for nearby Seneca High School…. comes to Clemson from the same high school that produced former Clemson All-American and Pittsburgh Steelers great Bennie Cunningham..…two-sport athlete at Seneca…did not start playing football until 2016, his junior year…finished that year with 50 catches for 834 yards and nine scores….played quarterback at start of his senior year (2017) and had 107 yards rushing, 102 yards passing, 22 yards receiving and three touchdowns against Chapman in first game…but in second game of the year suffered a foot injury that forced him to miss six weeks…came back at midseason and threw for 181 yards and two scores, but felt pain in the foot the next week and did not play the rest of the season…. outstanding player on the hardwood, he was the Region I-AAA Player of the Year in basketball in 2016-17….averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds as a junior….averaged 15.9 points a game as a sophomore…made 100 three-point goals over his sophomore and junior seasons… ranked as the #1 overall TE in the state of South Carolina by Scout.com…ranked as 13th best player in South Carolina by Rivals.com and 247 Sports… played football at Seneca High for Hal Capps…committed to the Tigers on 04/08/2017…recruited by Brent Venables and Danny Pearman.

Plyler says: Galloway also had to play quarterback in high school at times. In fact, he played several positions. This is a long, athletic tight end that could develop into a player who can stretch the field like Jordan Leggett was able to. Galloway reminds me of so many of those basketball type bodies that grow into a tight end in football.

Reminds Plyler of: Jordan Leggett

Mike Jones Jr. Photo
Mike Jones Jr. LB 6-0, 228 Bradenton, FL 4 Star 4.38

A national top 250 player by ESPN and 247 Sports…ESPN lists Jones as the No. 202 player in the nation, the eighth best outside linebacker…247 Sports calls him the No. 209 player and the 15th best OLB…played linebacker for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., but his hometown is Nashville, Tenn.…had five tackles for loss in seven games… played his senior year at IMG, helping that team to a No. 2 final national ranking and a 9-0 record…played two years at IMG, helped team to 11-0 record in 2016…team was ranked fourth in the nation that year…had 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, five PBUs and a fumble recovery in 2016….IMG was 20-0 in his two years there..… will play in Under Armour All-American game in Orlando…considered a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com… he had 11 touchdown passes and ran for another 10 scores in 2014 at high school in Nashville, Tenn….had 13 sacks and 60 tackles on defense that year ….committed to the Tigers on 06/16/2016….recruited by Tony Elliott and Brent Venables.

Plyler says: Clemson really has benefited from Jones' early commitment. He was perhaps the Tigers' best recruiter over the past year. Jones is a perfect replacement for their SAM linebacker. I think Dorian O'Daniel changed the position in the past two seasons. He was good enough against the run, in coverage and in rushing the passer that they didn't take him off of the field. I think Jones is athletic enough and versatile enough to play that role in Clemson's defense.

Reminds Plyler of: Dorian O'Daniel

Darnell Jefferies Photo
Darnell Jefferies DT 6-2, 275 Covington, GA 3 Star 3.64

Played defensive tackle for Newton High School each of the last two seasons…had 65 total tackles in 11 games as a senior….had 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks… had season high 11 tackles vs. Archer High…had five tackles for loss vs. South Gwinnett…also played some tight end and had seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown…named the Region 8-6A Defensive Player of the year…received Player of the Week honors from the Atlanta Touchdown Club for the Week of November 17th…he had a pick-six in that game… Georgia All-Region selection as well…ranked as No. 22 defensive tackle in Georgia by ESPN.com…had 76 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks in 2016….had incredible 42 quarterback pressures…played his high school football for Terrance Banks…also played high school basketball and track as a junior…committed to the Tigers on 06/12/2017….recruited by Todd Bates and Tony Elliott.

Plyler says: Jefferies is part of a very good class from the state of Georgia this season and he also meets a huge area of need in this class. Clemson made him a big priority in the spring and the staff is pleased to come away with this kind of talent on the interior defensive line. Jefferies is big enough to cause issues in the running game and I think he is athletic enough to rush the passer from an interior line position.

Reminds Plyler of: Carlos Watkins

Justin Mascoll Photo
Justin Mascoll DE 6-4, 237 Snellville, GA 4 Star 4.69

Ranked as the No. 43 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com…that site also sees him as the eighth best player in Georgia and the sixth best defensive end in the nation…played linebacker and defensive end for South Gwinnett High School…had 59 tackles in 2017, including 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks…had 68 tackles in 2016 as a junior, he had nine tackles for loss and eight sacks…had 14 quarterback pressures that season …ranked a 4-star prospect by 247Sports…was a first-team all-region 8-A linebacker his senior year… will play in US Army All-American game in San Antonio on Jan. 6 …played at South Gwinnett for Steve Davenport…committed to the Tigers on 03/17/2017…recruited by Tony Elliott, Mickey Conn and Todd Bates.

Plyler says:Mascoll would be the headliner of past defensive end classes at Clemson but Thomas stole that thunder this year. He has been on Clemson's radar since his sophomore season. Mascoll is long. He will need to add some weight, but I am looking forward to seeing him after Joey Batson and his guys get him up to playing size and strength. He is not in the class of a five star but he is potentially better than a bunch of defensive end takes in the last ten years.

Reminds Plyler of: Andre Branch

BT Potter Photo
BT Potter K 5-11, 170 Rock Hill, SC 3 Star 3.02

Considered the #1 overall kicker in the nation according to Chris Sailer …listed as the No. 2 kicker in the nation by Rivals.com…selected to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American game…four-year starter as placekicker at South Pointe high School… made field goals with 12 in 17 attempts as a senior…made 77-81 extra points for the high school state championship team of Rock Hill, SC…his most incredible stat was 117 touchbacks in 126 kickoffs…also handled the punting and averaged 37.1 yards per punt…in 2016 he made 11-15 field goals, including career long of 49 yards…made 49-54 extra points for 82 total points…averaged 39 yards a punt on 45 punts…had 77 kickoffs…as a sophomore in 2015 made 4-7 field goals, including a 43-yarder… made 40-45 extra points and scored 51 points for the year….as a freshman made 4-6 field goals and 45-51 extra points…for career, scored 304 points on 31-45 field goals and 211 extra points…helped the South Pointe team to a 15-0 record in 2017 and the state title…South Pointe won the South Carolina state title all four years…teammate with fellow Clemson commit Derion Kendrick at South Pointe… kicked a 67-yard field goal in a showcase event…played his high school football for Strait Herron…committed to the Tigers on 06/07/2017….recruited by Jeff Scott and Danny Pearman.

Plyler says: It is hard to find this kind of leg anywhere in the country. Potter is one of the best kickers if not the best in the country. He might help out immediately on kick offs and has perhaps the most range of any kicker on campus as early as next season. Clemson made the right move by getting this weapon committed early.

Reminds Plyler of: He has the range of kickers like Donald Igwebuike, Richard Jackson and Spencer Benton

Kyler McMichael Photo
Kyler McMichael DB 6-0, 196 Norcross, GA 4 Star 4.49

A National top 125 overall signee by all three major services…ranked No. 71 in the nation by 247 Sports…they also list him as the No. 11 overall player in Georgia and the 12th best cornerback…Rivals.com lists McMichael as the 85th best overall player in the nation, the 12th best player in Georgia and the fourth best cornerback in the nation…ESPN.com ranks him No. 113 overall, the 11th best athlete and the 18th best player in Georgia…played running back and cornerback at the Greater Atlanta Christian School… will play in US Army All-American game in San Antonio on Jan. 6…as a running back in 2017 scored 24 touchdowns and had 1,483 yards on 128 carries, a 11.6 average…… had 24 total touchdowns in 2017, all rushing…had a streak of eight straight games with multiple touchdowns during the 2017 season.… had at least 100 yards in each of his last five games and eight of the 14 games in 2017…had 14-154 vs. Jenkins High…finished senior year with 1,639 all purpose yards…named to the Atlanta Constitution’s Super 11 team for 2017…had 19 solo tackles in 14 games his senior year…helped team to a 12-2 record and the Final Four of the state tournament….as a junior had 1,493 rushing yards and averaged nine yards per carry…scored 16 touchdowns rushing…had career high 21 for 196 yards rushing vs. Lovett in season opener of 2016…had five 100-yard games for the season.…finished 2016 with 1,946 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns…first-team all-state as a junior in 2016…helped team to a 13-2 record and the state championship game in 2016…competed at Nike’s The Opening …played his high school football for Tim Hardy….played at North View High School his first two years…committed to Clemson on 06/23/2017….recruited by Tony Elliott, Mickey Conn and Mike Reed.

Plyler says: This is a huge pick up in this class. Clemson has needs at the cornerback, safety and nickel spots and McMichael is versatile enough to be able to help in those areas. He was a dynamic play-making running back in high school, but I think he will be a very good defensive back at Clemson. He has a burst that can make up for a misstep in coverage and is physical enough to handle bigger receivers and give good run support. McMichael is another Top 100 type of athlete and is another very bright prospect. He will fit right in to the defensive backfield early in his career.

Reminds Plyler of: Marcus Gilchrist

Jordan McFadden Photo
Jordan McFadden OL 6-4, 290 Roebuck, SC 3 Star 3.33

Played offensive tackle for Dorman High School in Spartanburg…selected for the South Carolina team in the Shrine Bowl..… named the Lineman of the Year for the State of South Carolina by the State Newspaper…helped Dorman to the 5A state championship game his senior year….Dorman finished with a 12-3 record…McFadden was a big reason Dorman averaged 277 rushing yards per game and scored 71 touchdowns…team had two players with at least 1,200 yards rushing…ranked as the 10th best player in South Carolina by ESPN.com…listed as the 16th best player in South Carolina by 247 Sports and the 20th best by Rivals.com…played at Dorman high for Dave Gutshall…wore No. 73 at Dorman High…also played basketball at Dorman and helped that team to 23-5 record in 2016-17…committed to the Tigers on 12/09/2017….recruited by Jeff Scott and Robbie Caldwell.

Plyler says:This was the best offensive linemen in South Carolina. I like his feet and his upside, but the best thing about his game is his versatility. McFadden can play inside or outside at the nest level. He is athletic enough to handle the edge, but has the potential to grow into an athletic inside player. This was a must get and the Tigers were fortunate to flip this former Virginia Tech commit.

Reminds Plyler of: Brandon Thomas

Josh Belk Photo
Josh Belk DT 6-3, 309 Richburg, SC 4 Star 4.30

A national top 100 player by ESPN.com, he ranks No. 88 nationally, second in the state of South Carolina and the fifth best defensive tackle in the nation by that website…rated No. 139 nationally by Rivals.com, who see Belk as third best player in the state and 11th best defensive tackle in the nation…played defensive tackle for Lewisville High School where he helped team to a 9-4 season and the third round of playoffs…All-Regional and All-State by High School Sports Report (for all classes) and Coaches Class A All-State…finished the year with 116 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, seven caused fumbles, a recovered fumble and a pass deflection…probably had best game against Lamar with 10 tackles and three tackles for loss…named to the U.S. Army All-American Game…played his high school football at Lewisville for Will Mitchell…comes to Clemson from the same school that sent former Clemson All-ACC running back Wesley McFadden and former Clemson and NFL linebacker Michael Barber to Clemson…lettered in basketball as a freshman and sophomore…committed to the Tigers on 01/29/2017…recruited by Jeff Scott and Todd Bates.

Plyler says: Belk is a huge interior defensive linemen who picked the Tigers despite growing up a South Carolina fan. This is a run stopper who gives Clemson more bulk in the middle. He will have to change his body a little when he arrives but the foundation is there for a high ceiling. Belk moves pretty well for a 325-pounder and plays pretty hard too. The Tigers needed more bodies here and this is a solid prospect.

Reminds Plyler of: Tony Stephens

Derion Kendrick Photo
Derion Kendrick WR 6-1, 195 Rock Hill, SC 4 Star 4.46

A national top 50 player by Rivals.com and 247 Sports…Rivals.com lists Kendrick as the top player in South Carolina and the No. 8 receiver in the nation…247 Sports lists Kendrick as the top player in South Carolina and the No. 5 receiver in the nation…ESPN.com lists him as the No. 80 overall player in the nation, the top player in South Carolina and the No. 8 receiver…Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina…played at a South Pointe program that won the state championship each of the last four years….Kendrick played wide receiver as a sophomore and played quarterback the last two years…completed 184-255 passes for 2,683 yards and 30 touchdowns against just six interceptions in 2017…also had 119 rushes for 1,194 yards and 20 scores…so had 50 touchdowns rushing and passing…in state semifinal playoff game against Greer, Kendrick had seven touchdowns, five rushing and two passing….rushed for 162 and completed 16-21 passes for 240 yards in that game….as a junior in 2016, completed 182 of 288 for 2,625 yards and 29 touchdowns against just six interceptions…had 110 rushes for 488 yards and five scores…so had 59/12 touchdown /interception ratio his last two years…had three touchdown receptions as a sophomore against Northwestern High School… teammates with fellow 2018 class Clemson commit BT Potter….played in the Shrine Bowl for South Carolina as a wide receiver, he had a 52-yard touchdown receptions…will play in US Army All-American game in San Antonio on Jan. 6…won USA Today’s Super 25 Top Star for the week of Oct. 26-28 after accounting for four touchdowns in a game…named a finalist for U.S. Army Player of the Year Award… a consensus 4-star prospect by every major recruiting website… played at South Pointe High for Strait Herron…committed to the Tigers on 01/28/2017…recruited by Jeff Scott.

Plyler says: This is the best player in South Carolina and its not really that close. Kendrick had to play quarterback in high school but will play wide out at Clemson. In fact, I think he is the best quarterback in the state. Kendrick is an elite athlete. He can make you look silly in the open field. He is stronger than you think and also has top end speed, but his body control is off of the charts. He will have to make a transition to a new position, but Kendrick makes everything on the field look pretty easy.

Reminds Plyler of: Bigger Amari Rodgers and Ray Ray McCloud. Not as physical as Sammy Watkins but that kind of body control.

Jake Venables Photo
Jake Venables LB 6-2, 222 Central, SC 3 Star 3.03

Played Outside linebacker for Daniel High School… ranked as the fifth overall prospect in the state of South Carolina and 30th best linebacker in the nation by 247sports…listed as the seventh best player in South Carolina and No. 32 linebacker by Rivals.com…named to the All-Region I-AAAA team… played for the South Carolina team in the Shrine Bowl…had 70 tackles during his senior season at Daniel High, he had 22 tackles for loss, five of which were sacks…had an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown against Westside early in the season…had season high 15 tackles against Pickens…also a starter as a sophomore and junior….played his high school football for Jeff Fruster….wore No. 15 at Daniel…also played on the Daniel basketball team in 2016-17…committed to Clemson on 12/18/2016, his dad’s birthday, he will sign with Clemson just two days after his dad’s birthday, Dec. 20, 2017… son of Clemson Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables, the winner of the 2016 Frank Broyles Award. …recruited by Brent Venables

Plyler says: I have watched Jake grow up here in Clemson. It is amazing how hard he worked in his conditioning. He is up to 225-230 pounds and looks like a completely different prospect now. Obviously this is one of the brightest defenders in this class. Sometimes you have legacy signees that are there due to their name, but Jake could play at Clemson no matter who

the defensive coordinator was. I can see him develop into a very smart and instinctive inside linebacker at Clemson

Reminds Plyler of: Chad Smith, James Skalski

Xavier Thomas Photo
Xavier Thomas DE 6-3, 263 Bradenton, FL 5 Star 5.00

Ranked among the top defensive players in the nation for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.…IMG was 9-0 this year and ranked No. 2 in the nation by Max Preps…a finalist for the National Defensive Player of the Year Award by the US Army All-American game, that winner will be announced on Jan. 5…also finalist for the Anthony Munoz National Lineman of the Year…rated as the No. 3 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com and 247 Sports, he is the No. 4 overall player by Rivals.com…first-team USA Today All-American…the top player in the state of Florida by all three services and the top defensive end in the nation by all three…teammate of Clemson signee Mike Jones…will play in US Army All-America game January 6, 2018…played defensive line for Wilson High School in Florence, SC before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla…had eight sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 59 total tackles as a true freshman playing on varsity at Wilson in 2014…also had 21 quarterback pressures…followed it up with nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 70 tackles at Wilson his sophomore year, 2015…also had some time at running back…had career high 20-209 rushing against Myrtle Beach…finished year with 59-568 and eight touchdowns, a 9.6 yards per carry figure…had 34 tackles and eight tackles for loss this past season at IMG Academy’s talented team in Bradenton, Fla…also had a blocked punt recovery for a touchdown in 2017…played just eight games at IMG…. competed at the 2017 The Opening hosted by Nike in Oregon…unanimous five-star recruit …played at IMG Academy for Kevin Wright… committed to the Tigers on 04/08/2017….recruited by Danny Pearman, Brent Venables and Todd Bates.

Plyler says: Few players can embarrass the opponent like Thomas. He just bulldozes the opponent. This is a man who is so strong with his hands and lower body. Thomas has a great motor. Clemson has had a nice run of defensive ends and Thomas fits right into the conversation with the best coming out of high school. There is no more physical defensive end in the country. It's easy to see why he is a five star and a one of the top five players in the country.

Reminds Plyler of: Daquan Bowers

Jackson Carman Photo
Jackson Carman OL 6-6, 330 Fairfield, OH 5 Star 5.00

One of the top players regardless of position in the nation…one of five finalists for USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year, quite a distinction for an offensive lineman….first-team USA Today All-American…one of the top 20 players in the nation by all recruiting services…ranked 12th overall and the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 1 player in Ohio by ESPN.com…ranked 14th overall, first in Ohio and first among all offensive tackles by Rivals.com…247sports lists him No. 20 overall, the second best offensive tackle and the top player in Ohio…US Army All-American who is a finalist for the Anthony Munoz National Lineman of the Year…played his high school football for Jason Krause….selected Clemson over Ohio State and Southern California….announced he was signing with Clemson on signing day, December 20, 2017…recruited by Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell

Plyler says: This is one of the biggest signing day surprises I have seen. Jackson Carman is a massive tackle prospect who dominates defenders. He is a neat personality and will be fun to watch his development here at Clemson. Carman is the number one tackle in the country and it’s easy to see why. I haven’t seen too many that have his physical tools. It says a lot about a Clemson to be able to go into Ohio and get the best lineman in the last ten years from the state. It’s hard to break Urban Meyer’s heart in that state.

Reminds Plyler of: Barry Richardson

Lyn-J Dixon Photo
Lyn-J Dixon RB 5-10, 178 Butler, GA 3 Star 3.46

One of the top running backs in the nation, he gained over 5,000 yards in his high school career…ranked as the No. 168 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com…ranked ninth among running backs and 22nd among players in the state of Georgia…No. 10 running back in the nation by Rivals.com…limited his senior year due to injury, played in just six games, but still averaged 108 yards per game and 8.9 yards per rush…he scored 11 rushing touchdowns and 13 overall…as a junior in 2016 had 229 rushes for 1914 yards for 35 touchdowns….had 38 touchdowns overall…as a sophomore had 156 for 1311 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns…had 23 touchdowns overall….had 171-1301 rushing yards as a freshman…scored 13 rushing touchdowns…overall for four years, had 629 carries for 5174 yards and 73 rushing touchdowns…had 88 total touchdowns…fine receiver as well, he had 76 receptions for 1088 yards and nine scores in his career…finished with 7201 all-purpose yards in his career…in spot duty, averaged 30 yards on kickoff returns and 25 yards on punt returns…scored 536 points in his four years in 37 games, 14.5 points per game…averaged 2.4 touchdowns per game…played his high school football for Mark Wilson…signed with Clemson on December 20, 2017….recruited by Tony Elliott and Robbie Caldwell.

Plyler says: On film Dixon looks like a slasher. He also looks to have pretty good top end speed. He is not the biggest back but he does run pretty hard. He reminds me a little bit Travis Etienne in terms of style but he doesn?t have that elite quickness and burst like Etienne. It would not surprise me to see him get in the rotation fairly early.

Reminds Plyler of: Travis Zachary

KJ Henry Photo
KJ Henry DE 6-5, 235 Clemmons, NC 5 Star 5.00

One of the top players in the nation by all services…ranked as No. 5 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com, No. 8 by 247 Sports and No. 23 by Rivals.com…listed as the top player in North Carolina by ESPN.com and 247 Sports…Rivals.com lists Henry as the second best overall player in North Carolina…listed as third best player at his position by all three of the major recruiting services…second-team USA Today All-American…5 star player by ESPN and 247 Sports….will play in Under Armour All-American game in Orlando….played his high school football for Adrian Snow…committed on the early signing day, Dec. 20, 2017, on ESPN….recruited by Mike Reed and Todd Bates.

Plyler says:This is a very athletic edge rusher. Henry is a rare athlete who has great burst and the frame to grow into a handful for opposing offensive linemen. He is twitchy according to some coaches. Henry is a bright kid who plays hard and will have a chance to rush the passer early in his career.

Reminds Plyler of: Clelin Ferrell

Mario Goodrich Photo
Mario Goodrich DB 6-2, 180 Lees Summit, MO 4 Star 4.45

Two-way four-star player from state of Missouri, first Clemson signee on record from that state....originally committed to Nebraska, but re-opened recruitment when coaching change was made...played defensive back and wide receiver at Lee’s Summit West High... ranked as No. 99 player in the nation by Rivals.com, who also list him as the No. 3 player in Missouri and No. 13 best cornerback in the nation....ranked No. 114 overall player in the nation by 247 Sports, they have him rated as fourth best player in Missouri and sixth best cornerback in the ation...PrepStars ranks Goodrich as No.133 overall player and 18th best cornerback...ESPN has him No. 148 overall, fourth best in Missouri and 19th best cornerback...all services rank him as a four-star prospect...has a nose for the ball and the endzone, he had 11 career interceptions, and returned five of them for touchdowns...had three interceptions as a sophomore and brought all three back for touchdowns....had two “pick 6s” among his seven interceptions in 2016...had just one interception in 2017, but had 15 pass deflections....had 49 tackles as a senior...an outstanding punt returner, he had 28 career returns for 487 yards, a 17.4 average...added 26 kickoff returns for 721 yards in his career, a 28-yard average...on offense, had 38 career receptions for 641 yards and nine receiving touchdowns....had 22 total touchdowns for his career...had 140 career tackles and 13 tackles for loss from his defensive back position...had 35 passes defensed over his career, including 11 interceptions...scored a touchdown five different ways over his high school career...played his high school football for Vincent Careswell....his team had an 8-3 record in 2017...played in the Offense/Defense All-American game this year...four-year letterman in basketball, who also had some offers in that sport...recruited to Clemson by Mike Reed.

Plyler says: I knew nothing about this prospect until January when the Tigers staff extended an offer. He is a lot like Travis Etienne in that Clemson beat the big boys on a guy from another part of the country and a guy who they weren’t heavily involved with until very late in the process. His film looks very good. Its easy to see how rivals.com has him as a top 100 prospect. I like his versatility. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him play corner, safety or nickel. This was a big pick up at a very big area of need.

Reminds Plyler of: Marcus Gilchrist

Justyn Ross Photo
Justyn Ross WR 6-4, 201 Phenix City, AL 4 Star 4.56

Five-star wide receiver from the state of Alabama...regarded by ESPN.com and Rivals as the #1 prospect in Alabama...first #1 ranked player from the state of Alabama to sign with Clemson, and just second #1 ranked player in the state of Alabama who did not sign with Alabama since 2005... ranked as the No. 15 player in the nation by Rivals, No. 45 player in the nation by 247 Sports and No. 74 player in the nation by ESPN...ranked as the No. 2 receiver in the nation by Rivals, No. 15th best receiver by 247 Sports and the No. 11 best receiver by ESPN...Ross finished his senior year with 37 receptions for 730 yards (19.7 yds/catch) and 13 touchdowns for a 12-1 Central High School team that reached the semifinals of the 7A state playoffs...Ross also contributed with 14 returns for 383 yards (27.4 yards a return) and two punt return scores in 2017, giving him 15 touchdowns for the year.....team finished sixth in the final state of Alabama rankings... first-team 7A All-State and finalist for Mr. Football, and7-A Back of the Year in Alabama...comes to Clemson from Phenix City, Ala. the same town that sent Marvin Sims to Clemson in the late 1970s...Sims was second leading rusher on Clemson’s 1978 team (685 yards) and top rusher in 1979 (743 yards)......Ross played forCoach Jamey DuBose at Central High....also a member of the basketball team...narrowed his college selections to Auburn, Alabama and Clemson...recruited by Jeff Scott and Todd Bates.

Plyler says: This was a great addition to the class. It is extremely difficult to get a five star from the state of Alabama. In fact, 21 of the last 22 five stars from Alabama have stayed in the state. Ross is a bigger target with a great catch radius. He is faster than he appears at first, but is biggest attributes are his size and his hands. This is a big, physical wide out that should have a chance to play right away. On film, he separates from smaller defensive backs and pulls away easily. I think he’s going to be a nice fit at Clemson’s “9” receiver.

Reminds Plyler of: Mike Williams

* Bios from Clemson Sports Information

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