The Clemson Insider takes a look ahead at Clemson top defensive tackle targets in the 2018 class:
Clemson elected not to take a defensive tackle in the 2017 class, but will be in the market for one or two in the next cycle.
While All-American defensive tackle Carlos Watkins is headed to the NFL after graduating, the Tigers will return plenty of talent at the position next season.
Scott Pagano will be a redshirt senior, versatile end/tackle Christian Wilkins will be a junior, Albert Huggins will be a junior, freshman All-American Dexter Lawrence will be a sophomore and former Beaufort (S.C.) four-star standout Nyles Pinckney will be a redshirt freshman.
Here are the top names at defensive tackle in the 2018 class we’re tracking as it stands now:
Josh Belk, Richburg, S.C. (Lewisville):
Clemson offered Belk in June 2015 following his performance at the Dabo Swinney Camp. South Carolina and LSU offered Belk two days before Clemson, and since then, the consensus top-10 prospect in South Carolina has added offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Belk visited Clemson for the Tigers’ game against Louisville on Oct. 1. Former defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks visited Belk on Sept. 23, as did co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott and head coach Dabo Swinney this month. Clemson and South Carolina are high on Belk’s list, and it could ultimately boil down to an in-state battle for the 6-foot-3, 300-pound four-star, who is rated as the No. 64 prospect in the ESPN Junior 300.
Austin Fontaine, Hyattsville, Md. (DeMatha):
Clemson became the fifth school to offer Fontaine in September 2015. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder also holds offers from Georgia, Maryland, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Fontaine visited Clemson in July 2015. Some in the recruiting industry consider in-state Maryland to be the leader for Fontaine’s services, though a lot of schools are pursuing him and there is a long way to go. Fontaine is rated by 247Sports as the No. 3 player in Maryland, the nation’s No. 4 defensive tackle and the nation’s No. 47 overall player in the 2018 class.
Aeneas Hawkins, Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller):
Clemson offered Hawkins, a top-10 prospect in Ohio and ESPN Junior 300 member, last October. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder lists offers from more than 20 schools, including Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and UCLA. The high-three star made his first visit to Clemson for the spring game last April and plans to visit again in the foreseeable future. Hawkins is hearing the most from Florida State, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Penn State and Clemson. Hawkins told TCI last month that Clemson is one of his favorites. He is eyeing a decision date of May 10.
Taron Vincent, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy):
Vincent, a five-star recruit, is rated by both 247 and Rivals as a top-10 prospect in the 2018 class. The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder has offers from over 30 schools including Clemson. Vincent told TCI in November that Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama, UCLA and Michigan were the schools recruiting him the hardest, and that Ohio State, Florida State and Alabama were his leaders. Vincent said he plans to visit Clemson at some point, and IMG Academy teammate and Clemson 2018 linebacker commit Mike Jones has been in his ear about the Tigers. Vincent is the son of former NFL defensive back and current NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent.