Clemson continues to elevate their recruiting as the Tigers signed their third straight top 13 class on Wednesday. Recruiting is all about filling the needs and once again the staff did a great job of filling many of the needs this year.
How did each position grade out this year? TCI hands out the grades for the defense.
Defensive End: A
Although Clemson missed on Robert Nkemdiche and Carl Lawson they landed three outstanding defensive ends. Shaq Lawson was a 4-star defensive end coming out of high school and was one of the nation’s top prep players last season at Hargrave. Lawson, who is already on campus, should play immediately for the Tigers.
Clemson found a gem in All-American Ebenezer Ogundeko, the top player from New York. Ogundeko is already on campus as well and the staff can’t say enough good things about Ogundeko.
Dane Rogers, who won an MVP award at the Shrine Bowl, is a very underrated defensive end.
Clemson did a great job of adding some very impressive depth at defensive end.
Defensive Tackle: B
Defensive tackle was not a position of need for this class with the young talent already on the roster. Clemson missed late on Montravius Adams after being the clear leader for several months. With Adams this class would have been an A+.
Clemson went all the way to Hawaii and landed a US Army All-American Scott Pagano. That was a major get for the staff as he was recruited by many of the top programs in the nation. Pagano will add to the young depth the Tigers have at defensive tackle.
Linebacker: A
Clemson is already loaded at talent at linebacker, but landed two of the nation’s top linebackers. Ben Boulware is as good as any linebacker in the nation. He is a player that shot up everyone’s rankings after impressive postseason performances.
Dorian O’Daniel, also an All-American, is an outstanding outside linebacker. The incredible athlete was also a very dominate running back this season, but will use his skills on defense with the Tigers. A great addition for the Tigers.
Daniels’ D.J. Greenlee will start out at linebacker for the Tigers, but could end up at tight end or h-back at some point.
Defensive Back: A+
The biggest need for the 2013 class was at defensive back and Clemson landed one of the top classes in the nation. Including Cordrea Tankersley the Tigers signed seven defensive backs.
5-star MacKensie Alexander will be a shut-down corner for the Tigers who is expected to make an immediate impact and should start this season for the Tigers. He is the nation’s No. 4 overall player according to the ESPN rankings.
4-star Jayron Kearse is also expected to help immediately for the Tigers. This talented athlete has the ball skills to play at receiver or defensive back, but will play safety for the Tigers. He could start out in a role similar to role Travis Blanks played his freshmen year.
Korrin Wiggins was a great signing day steal for the Tigers. He will also likely end up at safety, but could also play the hybrid role.
Adrian Baker is a very talented athlete that will also get a chance to compete for early playing time.
Cordrea Tankersley spent last season at Hargrave and will be an outstanding corner for the Tigers with good size.
Shrine Bowl standout Jadar Johnson, Grayson High’s Ryan Carter and late addition Marcus Edmond round out the impressive defensive backs class.
Overall: A
Overall Clemson did an outstanding job on defense with the 2013 class. This class will do for Clemson’s defense what the 2011 class did for the offense. Clemson has a number of players that will provide immediate impacts next fall and has built great depth at every position on defense with this class.