Story Poster
Notre Dame Football Recruiting

National Outlook: Clemson Stockpiling QBs & More

December 21, 2016
6,294

Written by Jon Kinne


When Brownsburg, Ind. five-star quarterback Hunter Johnson flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Clemson last December, he knew he’d have competition when he arrived in South Carolina. Four-star dual-threat quarterback Zerrick Cooper was set to sign with the Tigers and two days later, four-star signal caller Chase Brice also pledged to Clemson.

But exactly one year and one day after committing to the Tigers, Johnson’s quest to be the Clemson starting quarterback got considerably more challenging when 2018 quarterback Trevor Lawrence (pictured above) announced he will also be heading to Clemson. The Cartersville, Ga. product is not only the consensus No. 1 junior in America, many experts believe he is the best quarterback prospect in recent memory. Statistics don’t do the 6-foot-6, 196-pouner justice, but he did throw for 3,900 yards and 51 touchdowns this fall. Everyone had offered Lawrence, but Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU were the schools most disappointed to hear of his decision. 

Three other five-star prospects made sure everyone knew their college destinations before Christmas.

Irish Sports Daily
Detroit wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones excited the Michigan faithful by choosing the Wolverines on national television. The nation’s top-ranked receiver and the best player in the state of Michigan this year had 60 receptions for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns. Michigan had been a huge favorite throughout the process, but he did visit Ohio State, Michigan State, Florida, and Florida State. 

While Wolverine fans were happy at the Peoples-Jones decision, Isaiah Wilson’s commitment was disappointing. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle out of Brooklyn was thought to be a heavy Michigan lean right up until the time he announced for Georgia. Wilson also took trips to Alabama, Florida State, and Penn State before deciding on the Bulldogs.

Wilson is certainly a highly-regarded offensive line prospect, but Bellaire, Texas tackle Walker Little is even more coveted and his name is now on the Stanford commitment list. The 6-foot-8, 305-pounder has a perfect frame to add even more size and strength. Coupled with his athletic skills, Little looks the part of a future left tackle. He also considered Texas, Florida State, Texas A&M, Georgia, and LSU. 

Two top cornerback recruits also made recent commitments.

5-foot-9, 190-pound Lamont Wade of Clairton, Penn. will be attending Penn State next fall. A five-star recruit on one of the major recruiting websites, Wade was a star on offense as well and is now third on Pennsylvania’s all-time touchdown list. His other finalists were Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and West Virginia. 

Until the past few weeks, Notre Dame seemed to be in good shape with Thomas Graham, a four-star corner from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Then the Irish began to slip and one of the schools that emerged was Oregon with new head coach Willie Taggart. On December 16th, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Graham committed to the Ducks. A one-time USC commit, Graham also looked at the Arizona schools and Nebraska.

Oregon did lose a player, though, as tight end Tre’ McKitty out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. switched to Florida State. Since Thanksgiving, McKitty had visited Florida State, Georgia, and Miami, so decommitting from Oregon was not a surprise. 

After finishing 3-9 in 2015, Boston College earned a bowl bid this year and the good news continued with two big commitments.

Three-star safety Jahmin Muse from Elizabeth, N.J. selected the Eagles over Rutgers, Maryland, and Iowa this past weekend. But perhaps more important was the flip of running back A.J. Dillon from Michigan to B.C. The four-star running back from Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass. de-committed from Michigan shortly after a visit to Ann Arbor, prompting many to believe that Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh either forced Dillon out or requested a position change. Whatever the reason, Boston College nabbed their highest rated prospect for the Class of 2017.

 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.