According to Jamie Skalski, he’s one-third of the best linebacker class in the country. He might be on to something.
A little over six months stands between Clemson and a three-man linebacker class that could be as good as the 2011 batch, which included Stephone Anthony, Tony Steward and B.J. Goodson.
Skalski, a three-star from Newnan-Northgate (Ga.), was the first linebacker added to Clemson’s 2016 haul. About a month after his Signing Day announcement, five-star Shaq Smith announced his pledge. Both were on hand at the All-In Cookout last Friday when four-star Tre Lamar pulled the trigger.
“That’s so awesome,” Skalski told TheClemsonInsider, later that weekend. “I’m so excited to play with Shaq Smith and Tre Lamar. Those two guys, big competitors. They make you better and I’m really excited to be alongside them.”
For the most part, Clemson’s vaunted linebacker class of 2011 lived up to the hype. Anthony, the former five-star, was a two-time all All-ACC performer and a Butkus Award semifinalist as a senior. The Saints drafted him the first-round earlier this spring.
Steward’s first few years were plagued by knee injuries, but the former four-star started every game as a senior and was taken by the Bills in the sixth-round.
Goodson, who was a three-star, is on track to be a multi-year starter as he heads into his final season.
“I’ve been watching them a lot, actually. I’ve watched a lot of film on them. I watch Stephone Anthony highlights all the time,” Skalski said.
The 2016 linebacker classes at UCLA and Stanford are off to good starts. With plenty of uncommitted prospects still considering Alabama, LSU and Florida State, by the time February rolls around, those programs could have something to say about it.
Right now, Skalski thinks Clemson has the best one in the country.
“I think that Shaq is good in space. He’s a converted d-end, so he’s real long and flexible. Has really good movement. Tre is just a brute, a just man in the middle. I’m sure he’s going to play Mike. He’s just a force in the middle,” Skalski said. “I think we’ll complement each other really well and end up playing alongside each other.”