Over the last few years, Clemson’s All-In Cookout has become one of the major recruiting events of the year.
Designed to fall in line with the family atmosphere promoted at [autotag]Clemson[/autotag], the gathering allows for rising senior prospects to bring their families to socialize with coaches, players and other recruits.
Over the years, the Cookout has enjoyed a pretty reasonable amount of success.
At the first Cookout in 2012, Clemson picked up commitments to the 2013 class from Tyshon Dye and Cannon Smith. Demarcus Robinson also pledged, but the wide receiver later signed with Florida.
Jabril Robinson pulled the trigger on a commitment during his Cookout visit in 2013. Austin Bryant did the same last year.
But there’s no guarantee that Clemson will add a commitment during the 2015 event.
Of the five non-committed guests scheduled to be on campus, linebacker [autotag]Tre Lamar[/autotag] (Roswell, Ga.), offensive tackle [autotag]Bryce Mathews[/autotag] (Brentwood, Tenn.) and defensive tackle [autotag]Nyles Pinckney[/autotag] (Seabrook) appear closest to their respective decision days.
Lamar is down to three choices: Clemson, Auburn and Alabama. The two Tigers are thought to be running out ahead of the Tide. Auburn’s had Lamar on campus multiple times since his last trip to Clemson for the Elite Junior Day. However, late last year, Lamar did visit three times.
Mathews took his first visit to Clemson in April. The son of a former NFL offensive lineman, Mathews is down to Clemson, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. Many consider the Vols as the lead dog, but the Tigers could be making a push. Barring a last-minute return to Vanderbilt, this will be Mathews’ last visit before reaching a decision. Ole Miss is also thought to be a legitimate player. Mathews’ father played ball at Texas A&M.
Pinckney’s the least traveled of the three. He hasn’t been on a college campus since his January trip to South Carolina’s junior day. Before that, Pinckney’s most recent visit was to Clemson for the win over the Gamecocks. On Thursday, he told TCI that he’ll probably decide between the two instate schools. Clemson has long been viewed the team to beat.
Each of the three are listed as four-star prospects. So are the two non-committed defensive ends that will visit.
[autotag]Xavier Kelly[/autotag] (Wichita, Kan.) visited Clemson in the summer, after making stops at Alabama and Florida State. He’ll return with his dad and brother.
[autotag]Antonneous Clayton[/autotag] (Vienna, Ga.) arrived to Clemson on the final day of camp. After touring the school and meeting with the coaches, Clayton told TCI that Clemson had emerged as his favorite. Florida State, Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn also had him on campus in June.
The five non-committed prospects are all four-stars.
Three of Clemson’s committed four-stars will not be in town. Tavien Feaster has a 7-on-7 event and Sean Pollard will be at a team camp. Cornell Powell will be at a Shrine Bowl camp in North Carolina.
Everyone else is scheduled to be there: Rahshaun Smith, T.J. Chase, J.C. Chalk, Zerrick Cooper and Jamie Skalski.