We’re over a week into the month of July and the start of preseason camp is within shouting distance. Unfortunately, live college football is still several weeks away.

As the dog days of summer roll on, The Clemson Insider continues its look back at the recruitment of several of Clemson’s returning players.

LB [autotag]B.J. Goodson[/autotag], Lamar – RS Senior

The 2011 signing class helped change the face of the Clemson football program. Goodson, who was class commitment No. 19, may have been one of the most underrated members of the haul.

Scout listed Goodson as a two-star prospect and ranked him as the No. 71 middle linebacker in the country. Rivals had a three-star rating, but ranked Goodson as the No. 20 overall 2011 prospect in the state of South Carolina.

By the time Clemson’s class was completed, it included three more linebackers, all of whom were rated considerably higher than Goodson. Led by five-star Stephone Anthony, there was a pair of four-stars as well in Tony Steward and Lateek Townsend.

Of the four, Goodson was the first to commit. He pulled the trigger in October of his senior season, shortly after visiting Clemson for the 2010 Miami game.

“I got close with coach (Kevin) Steele. I fell in love with the organization, the whole atmosphere and everything. Just the way the coaches teach the game. They teach it with passion. They preach playing with passion. I wanted to be a part of that.”

Goodson’s only other visit to Tigertown was in 2009 for the Wake Forest game. Clemson landed his commitment over a number of schools, which included interest from LSU and Tennessee.