The Clemson Insider takes a look ahead at Clemson’s top wide receiver targets in the 2018 class:
Clemson is again in contention for a number of the nation’s top prospects at wide receiver.
After signing a trio of four-star receivers in the 2016 class — Cornell Powell, T.J. Chase and Diondre Overton — Clemson is set to sign another talented receiver tandem this cycle in Oak Ridge (Tenn.) five-star Tee Higgins and Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic four-star Amari Rodgers.
Clemson’s top two receivers, Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, are headed to the NFL. The Tigers are expected to return rising juniors Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud, Hunter Renfrow and Trevion Thompson, rising sophomores Cornell Powell and Diondre Overton, and redshirt freshman T.J. Chase.
Clemson will likely sign one or two receivers in 2018. Here are the top names we’re tracking as it stands now:
Derion Kendrick, WR, Rock Hill, S.C. (South Pointe):
Clemson was first to offer Kendrick in June 2015. He now holds over 15 offers, including ones from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, N.C. State, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder last visited Clemson in November for the South Carolina game. Kendrick has kept his options open and maintained a relatively low profile in the recruiting process despite his star stature. Clemson and South Carolina are two of the schools pursuing him the hardest. 247Sports recently reported that Kendrick could announce his commitment sooner than later. We believe the Tigers are in strong position here.
Jordyn Adams, WR, Blythewood, S.C. (Blythewood):
After receiving an offer from Clemson in October, Adams visited Clemson twice this season for the Syracuse and South Carolina games. Listed as an athlete by some services, Adams was offered as a wide receiver by Clemson. In addition to baseball offers from North Carolina and South Carolina, the standout two-sport athlete has football offers from East Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Carolina, SMU, South Carolina, Southern Miss and Virginia Tech. Adams plans to play both football and baseball in college, at least initially, and is intrigued by the potential opportunity to do so at Clemson. Overall, Clemson is an offer Adams holds in high regard, and the Tigers are making the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder a priority at receiver in the next cycle. Clemson is in good standing right now.
Jacob Copeland, Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest):
Clemson offered Copeland, a top-100 prospect in the 2018 class, last May. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder last visited Clemson in June for the Dabo Swinney Camp. In May, Copeland listed Clemson among his top 10 schools, which included Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan and Mississippi State. Copeland is expected to commit on his birthday, July 19. Florida, Clemson, Florida State and Miami are several of the top contenders for Copeland. Florida, Clemson and Miami are regarded as the frontrunners right now.
Demarcus Gregory, Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes):
Gregory is another name to watch. The in-state standout has offers from Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Wake Forest. Gregory last visited Clemson on Oct. 1 for the Tigers’ game against Louisville. Prior to that, he attended the Dabo Swinney Camp in June, and he also made trips to Clemson for Junior Day in March and the Orange and White spring game in April. In late October, Clemson co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Jeff Scott traveled to Byrnes High to watch Gregory play. Gregory plans to return to Clemson again at the end of this month for Junior Day. Ole Miss and South Carolina are two of the schools recruiting him the hardest.
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