Clemson recruiting roundup: Latest news and notes
By: Gavin Oliver December 13, 2017

The Clemson Insider rounds up the latest recruiting news and notes surrounding the Tigers:

Clemson coaches recruiting in familiar territory. Clemson safeties coach Mickey Conn and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott stopped by Grayson High in Loganville, Ga., Tuesday to check up on prospects.

Grayson is of course familiar recruiting territory for Clemson, which has signed a few prospects from the school during Dabo Swinney’s tenure including Chase Brice, Ryan Carter and Wayne Gallman. Conn was the head coach at Grayson for 16 seasons before joining Clemson’s staff in 2016.

Among the Grayson recruits Clemson is involved with currently are 2019 five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe and 2019 four-star defensive end Kevin Harris (pictured). Pappoe named Clemson one of his top three schools (Georgia, Nebraska) in late October, while Harris received an offer from Clemson in early November and attended the Tigers’ games against Boston College and Florida State this season.

Some other Grayson prospects we’re tracking are 2019 three-star cornerback Jalen Alexander, 2019 four-star wide receiver Kenyon Jackson, 2019 three-star offensive tackle Trente Jones and 2020 tight end Beau DeBerry.

Grayson is one of the Peach State’s premier prep powerhouses. To put the amount of Division I talent there into perspective, coaches from Penn State, Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia, NC State, Tennessee, Michigan State, Wake Forest, Minnesota and Syracuse have visited the school in the last week alone.

Tar Heel State standouts nab Clemson offers. A couple of prospects from North Carolina have collected offers from Clemson this week: Dudley 2019 linebacker Jaylon Scott and Havelock 2019 safety Anthony Harris.

Scott has offers from North Carolina, NC State and Maryland, as well, while Harris lists other power conference offers from Florida State, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech.

Clemson’s coaches like Scott’s versatility to play multiple linebacker positions. Scott told TCI after adding the offer that he plans to visit Clemson for the first time on Friday.

Scott filled up the stat sheet in 15 games as a junior this season, logging 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two pass deflections and an interception. He also blocked two punts on special teams.

Harris, meanwhile, tallied 82 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections and an interception in 15 games during his junior season this year. He also caught 13 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 219 yards and four scores on 25 carries. He attempted nine pass too, completing eight of them for 58 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

Other notes.

** Clemson had its in-home visit with five-star quarterback commit Trevor Lawrence on Monday. Lawrence told TCI last week he expected Swinney and quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter to make the visit. Lawrence is an early enrollee.

** Lawrence was named the state of Georgia’s 2017 Gatorade Football Player of the Year on Monday. It is the second year in a row he has earned the honor. In 12 games as a senior this season, Lawrence completed 69.1 percent of his passes (177-of-256) for 3,296 yards and 41 touchdowns with just one interception.

** Clemson commitment Derion Kendrick was named South Carolina’s 2017 Gatorade Football Player of the Year on Monday. Kendrick threw for 2,693 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading led South Pointe to the Class 4A state title as a senior this season. He racked up another 1,195 yards and 19 scores on the ground.

Above photo: Loganville (Ga.) Grayson 2019 four-star defensive end Kevin Harris in Death Valley before Clemson’s game against Florida State on Nov. 11