It’s a long time until February’s signing day, but nobody is recruiting Georgia’s top football prospects this year as well as Clemson.
The ACC school has five early Georgia commitments, including four of the state’s top eight prospects, according to Rivals.com.
“I just think they are very aggressive,” Rivals.com’s Mike Farrell said. “Clemson has a lot to sell. They are always one of the top recruiting programs in the country. I think they are maybe hitting UGA while they’re a little flat-footed. It’s a long ways until signing day and we’re going to see if they can hold onto these guys. But right now, they’ve just been more aggressive.”
Clemson has 10 commitments for 2014. At the top of the list is Gainesville High School’s Deshaun Watson, the five-star prospect ranked as the nation’s top quarterback by several recruiting websites.
“When you get the trigger man like Deshaun — a big name, a guy who is known in Atlanta and across the state by every kid — I think that has absolutely helped Clemson build some of this hot-start momentum,” 247sports.com’s Gerry Hamilton said.
Last year, Clemson got off to a similar hot streak in Georgia, including a commitment from Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect. However, the Tigers fell apart down the stretch, eventually losing Nkemdiche, Peach County wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and two other Georgia products to SEC schools.
“I think last year was just really brutal and unfortunate,” Hamilton said. “There’s always going to be defections because that’s how recruiting works these days. But if they can keep that trigger man (Watson), I think they have a great chance to close better in 2014.”
Added Farrell, “(All) kids are all fickle. If Clemson has a couple of terrible losses by midseason or falters down the stretch, then you may start seeing kids jump. … But when you ask me about this year’s group, I think they have a much better chance (of holding onto them) this year. That’s because these kids are more grounded.”
Watson talks Auburn: Watson finally talked about his "secret" visit to Auburn. As a long-time Clemson commitment, his clandestine trip to Auburn last week generated enormous interest and tension from fans of both schools on message boards and Twitter.
“It’s a nice campus,” Watson said. “It’s like every other SEC school, but it doesn’t change my commitment with Clemson. I’m still committed to Clemson.”
The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder initially denied he took the Auburn visit because he said he didn’t want to disappoint Clemson. However, he later told the Tigers. Watson was surprised his trip created such a buzz in May.
“I really don’t know why,” he said. “… I guess that’s just how Clemson fans or any fans are.”
Watson said he’s finished with visiting other colleges for “right now” but competing schools are unlikely to give up. Auburn and Ohio State are the biggest challengers to Clemson, while Georgia and Alabama are also in the mix.
UGA loses signee: One of UGA's 2013 football signees will likely attend prep school this fall, according to his coach.
North Gwinnett offensive lineman DeVondre Seymour, the adopted son of NFL All-Pro and former UGA standout Richard Seymour, both committed and signed with the Bulldogs on last February’s signing day.
UGA recruited Seymour with the knowledge that he may not meet NCAA entrance requirements this year.
“The deal was: make it first; go to prep school second. And the last plan would be the junior college route,” North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire said. “I think they’re (UGA) wanting to get the test score and see if we can get it done through prep school.
“A lot of that is being handled on the other end by Georgia, so that’s kind of in their hands right now, in terms of where he is. But they’re trying to go the prep school route.”
The 6-6, 320-pound Seymour is a late bloomer to football, but has a high ceiling for his athleticism and raw skills.
UGA signed 33 for its 2013 recruiting class and 13 enrolled early last January. The rest of the recruits are scheduled to begin classes this summer.
Etc: North Gwinnett defensive end Dante Sawyer, who was expected to pick between Alabama and Georgia last month, will pick by the end of the summer. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are still his co-leaders, with Tennessee and Auburn making a strong push. Sawyer likes Georgia because, "They are just right down the street. Home, sweet home." …
Norcross linebacker Kevin Mouhon has been leaning to Tennessee for months and not much has changed. “It’s no secret. It’s out there,” Mouhon said. “They’ve (Tennessee) got the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. So if no other school impresses me …” This summer, Mouhon said he make unofficial visits to Florida, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee. He holds around 15 offers, included Georgia Tech, and hopes to get evaluated for a scholarship from USC, UCLA, West Virginia, LSU and UGA. “I want to experience the whole recruiting thing and go on some trips and official visits so I can evaluate the other schools,” he said. “That’s the only thing holding me back from committing to Tennessee.”
