The Clemson Insider takes a look ahead at Clemson’s top linebacker targets in the 2018 class:
The rock in the middle of Clemson’s defense that has been Ben Boulware, who started all but one of 30 games over the past two seasons, won’t be around next year after graduating. However, the Tigers’ linebacker corps will still boast plenty of talent and depth.
Dorian O’Daniel will be a senior, Kendall Joseph and Jalen Williams will be juniors, Chad Smith, Tre Lamar and James Skalski will be sophomores, and Shaq Smith will be a redshirt freshman.
Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern four-star linebacker/defensive end Logan Rudolph and Calhoun (Ga.) three-star linebacker Baylon Spector signed with Clemson and enrolled earlier this month. Shelby (N.C.) Crest four-star Justin Foster, who expects to be a hybrid linebacker slash stand-up defensive end at Clemson, will also enter the mix after signing on Feb. 1.
Clemson already has two committed linebackers in the 2018 class — Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star linebacker Mike Jones and Central (S.C.) Daniel four-star linebacker Jake Venables — but could potentially add another moving forward.
Here are the top names at linebacker in the 2018 class we’re tracking as it stands now:
Teradja Mitchell, Virginia Beach, Va. (Bishop Sullivan):
Mitchell, a five-star prospect, holds over 30 offers highlighted by Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and many others.Mitchell is beginning to build a strong relationship with Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. He visited Clemson in July and told TCI in December that he is excited to see the new facility when he comes back. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is being recruited the hardest by Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State and Alabama. Mitchell plans to release a list of his top 10 schools on Feb. 1, and Clemson will make the cut. The No. 27 prospect and No. 1 inside linebacker in the 2018 class according to the 247Sports Composite told TCI that Clemson is in good standing with him as he readies to narrow his recruitment. “I love the way their defense plays,” Mitchell said of Clemson in December. “I feel like it’s a great fit for me. I loved the campus when I visited. It felt like a place I could call home.”
Dax Hollifield, Shelby, N.C. (Shelby):
Hollifield, a top-100 prospect per Rivals, received his first offer from former Clemson coach Dan Brooks as a freshman in January 2015. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder now has other offers from Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Hollifield has named North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech as favorites, and made it clear that he wants to go where he can play as a true freshman. Hollifield’s father played at Wake Forest and his grandfather played at Western Carolina.
J.J. Peterson, Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County):
A top-50 prospect in the 2018 class according to both 247 and Rivals, Peterson is another name worth knowing. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina among others. Some close to Peterson hail him as the best player ever from Colquitt County, and there have been some good ones. His recruitment remains open.
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