5-star Lawrence reacts to newest commitments

After becoming the second member of Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class in December, Cartersville (Ga.) five-star quarterback Trevor Lawrence has seen three new additions since.

Two of those have come in as many days, with Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe four-star wide receiver Derion Kendrick pledging on Saturday night and Richburg (S.C.) Lewisville four-star defensive tackle Josh Belk following suit Sunday morning.

The two prospects are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the state of South Carolina by 247Sports, and both were on Clemson’s campus this weekend for Saturday’s Junior Day.

Clemson gave Kendrick his first offer following an impressive performance at the Dabo Swinney Camp in June 2015, and he chose the Tigers over more than a dozen other offers including ones from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The consensus top-150 prospect led South Pointe to the Class 4A state title in 2016 as the team’s quarterback, but he is expected to play receiver at Clemson.

“It’s awesome,” Lawrence told The Clemson Insider after Kendrick’s commitment. “Great athlete that’s going to help us a bunch!”

Belk, meanwhile, picked Clemson over Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, South Carolina and others among his double-digit offers. Clemson also offered Belk after the Swinney Camp in June 2015.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder is rated as high as the No. 22 prospect nationally and No. 2 defensive end by 247Sports.

“It’s awesome,” Lawrence said of Belk’s commitment. “We’re just getting started.”

With the No. 1 overall player in 2018 in Lawrence and three other top-200 prospects, Clemson’s 2018 class is currently ranked No. 7 in the country by 247.

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