When a Clemson fan hears the name Venables, images of a stingy defense and a coach on the sideline with an undying passion for the game of football might come to mind. Tiger nation will be even more pleased with the fact that Venables’ son Jake looks to bring that same fire to the team in 2018.

Another Clemson player from the Central (S.C.) Daniel pipeline, linebacker Jake Venables recently attended junior day at Clemson on Jan. 28. The Clemson Insider caught up with the Clemson commit to discuss how excited he is about the Class of 2018 after attending the annual event.

Being the son of arguably the best defensive coordinator in the country, Venables already knows how successful Clemson has been under his father, Brent, and what the school has to offer. Yet he still managed to receive a few surprises during his visit.

“It was a great experience! I really saw a part of campus I hadn’t seen before in some academic buildings and things of that nature,” he said, “but overall was a great/unique experience.”

Venables said that he enjoyed meeting and helping recruit some of the top talent that was present at Junior Day.

“I met up with Mike Jones and Trevor (Lawrence) and talked to them a good bit, also talked a lot with Stephon Wynn and Xavier Thomas and Taron Vincent and TK (Chimedza) all from IMG,” he said.

He was especially excited to hear about the commitments of Josh Belk and Derion Kendrick. Venables is impressed with Kendrick, seeing as the two played against each other two years ago.

“I was very excited to hear Derion and Josh committing too,” Venables said. “We played South Pointe my sophomore year in the first round of playoffs. But he is one heck of a player. I remember studying his first steps at WR, he was so quick off the line I knew we would have trouble.”

Venables said he plans to channel some of his father’s passion and energy in his senior season, and “just play every snap like [his] head’s on fire or like [he’s] being held under water.”

Even though Venables could be in one of the best – if not the best – recruiting class in Clemson history when all is said and done, he still thinks that he brings a lot to the table, both on and off the field.

“My leadership skills in the classroom, weight room, the field, etc.,” he said. “On the field I can bring intensity and energy, I’ll push people to become better both on and off the field.”

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