The 2017 Clemson recruiting class is full of highly-rated prospects with options from several of the country’s top programs.

Four-star wide receiver Amari Rodgers was committed to Southern Cal when Clemson offered in December. A few days later, he decommitted. Earlier this month, the Knoxville Catholic prospect committed to Clemson over Tennessee, Alabama, Florida State and Wake Forest.

TheClemsonInsider spoke with his head coach Steve Matthews, to get his take on what Clemson’s going to get out of the 5-10, 195-pound prospect.

“Outstanding in all facets. Does a great job in the classroom — raised by two great parents in Lakenya and Lamar (Dennard) — just a great family all around,” Matthews said. “He’s a great player with the ball in his hands. He ran a 4.3 handheld at Tennessee’s camp about a year ago and can really, really run.

“What separates him from most, I think, even though he’s 5-10, he can go and get the ball at its highest point. It’s something that he naturally does…he’s just got that natural ability to go get the ball in the air, despite being under 6-foot. He does a great job getting in and out of his breaks and really is a tremendous football player.”

As a junior, Rodgers had 61 catches for over 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns. He scored 31 total touchdowns and ranked up over 2,500 all-purpose yards.

“His freshman and sophomore year, he was a running back for us, then he was a receiver this past year — he still had carries,” Matthews. “They’ll use him primarily as a receiver. I talked to coach (Jeff) Scott and we’re real similar in the way we do with Clemson.

“I don’t think it will be a huge adjustment for Amari, getting into their scheme. We probably send him down field more than they will, from what I can tell, but at the same time, I think those guys will do a great job of using him to the best of his ability.”

There were a number of factors that could have worked against Clemson. His father, Tee Martin, was the quarterback at Tennessee for their National Championship in 1998. Now he’s the offensive coordinator at Southern Cal.

“I know it was a tough decision. With Tennessee right here and coach Jones doing a great job of turning that program around…but (Rodgers) told me that he liked Clemson since he was a kid — really formed a relationship with the coaches,” Matthews said.

Rodgers wanted to carve out his own path, and he thinks Clemson is the place to make it happen.

“I think that played a huge role in leaving him and making things on his own, but I think Clemson is definitely getting an outstanding player and young man,” Matthews said.

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