The Clemson Insider continues its “Looking Ahead” series with a forward look at Clemson’s top running back targets in the 2018 class.
After losing Zac Brooks and C.J. Davidson at the conclusion of the 2015 season, Clemson added another running back in February when Spartanburg five-star Tavien Feaster signed.
Feaster will join a talented group of running backs in Wayne Gallman, Adam Choice, Tyshon Dye and C.J. Fuller.
None of the aforementioned players are seniors, but with a repeat of last season’s success, Gallman will likely elect to forego his senior season and declare early for the NFL Draft.
Memphis (Tenn.) Trezevant four-star running back Cordarrian Richardson is committed to Clemson for the 2017 class. Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s four-star D’Andre Swift is the lone target left at running back in the current cycle.
Here are the big names in the 2018 class we’re keeping tabs on:
Zamir White – Laurinburg, N.C.
One of the most coveted players in his class, White is rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No.1 player in North Carolina, the nation’s No. 1 running back and the nation’s No. 4 player overall. In April, White ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at his high school, Scotland County. White most recently visited Notre Dame, Ohio State, N.C. State and North Carolina in June. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder last visited Clemson in March for Junior Day.
Ricky Slade – Woodbridge, Va.
Slade, who was named a five-star by 247 this month, is also one of the most sought-after players in his class. He is rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 2 player in Virginia, the nation’s No. 1 all-purpose back and the nation’s No. 18 player overall. Clemson extended one of Slade’s 20-plus offers on Oct. 24, 2014. Slade last visited Clemson in March for Junior Day. One of his assistant coaches at C.D. Hylton High School, John Harris, told The Clemson Insider then that he thought Slade “really enjoyed practice and hit it off with the staff.” Slade most recently visited Florida on July 22 and said he loved the visit.
Lorenzo Lingard – Orange City, Fla.
Clemson offered Lingard, another five-star, on April 22, 2015. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder owns 20-plus offers in total. Lingard has visited Auburn, Alabama and Miami this month. His recruitment is wide open at this time.
Devon Lawrence – Wake Forest, N.C.
Lawrence, the younger brother of Clemson big man Dexter Lawrence, is rated by the 247Sports composite as a three-star, the No. 9 player in North Carolina, the nation’s No. 22 running back and the nation’s No. 327 player overall. Currently, Lawrence has offers from Clemson, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T, N.C. State and Ohio State. Lawrence visited Clemson for the Orange and White spring game in April, and also visited North Carolina and N.C. State during the spring. Lawrence told The Clemson Insider he had fun and enjoyed being around Clemson’s coaches on the visit. As a sophomore, Lawrence rushed for 1,335 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Jamal Elliott – Bradenton, Fla.
Elliott does not have an offer from Clemson, but the four-star running back from IMG Academy visited Clemson with his teammate, four-star wide receiver Brian Hightower, in mid-July. Elliott told TCI he had a “great” visit and that he would definitely be interested if Clemson offered. Right now, the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder has offers from Boston College, Duke, East Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, N.C. State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and West Virginia among others. Tennessee and East Carolina are currently his leaders. Elliott has visited South Carolina and Tennessee this summer. He ran for 637 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2015 while totaling 296 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions.