Clemson has signed a slew of players from the Sunshine State during Dabo Swinney’s tenure as head coach, including stars such as Sammy Watkins (2011), Tony Steward (2011), Jordan Leggett (2013), Mackensie Alexander (2013), Jayron Kearse (2013), Artavis Scott (2014), Deon Cain (2015), Ray-Ray McCloud (2015) and Trayvon Mullen (2016).
The Tigers once again have their eyes on a number of prospects from Florida in the class of 2019. TCI takes a look at some of those prospects to watch in the next recruiting cycle:
Frank Ladson, 4-star WR, Miami, Fla. (South Dade):
Ladson (pictured above) is one of Clemson’s top receiver targets in the 2019 class, if not the top target. The top-50 national prospect was the only wide receiver that attended the Tigers’ elite junior day on Jan. 20. Ladson de-committed from Florida in early December, and Clemson offered him a day later. His offer sheet also includes Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee among others. Ladson had a great visit to Clemson for the junior day and told TCI afterward that the Tigers are in a strong spot with him early on. “They are high up there,” he said. Florida State, Miami, Alabama and Georgia are others high on his list right now.
Keon Zipperer, 4-star TE, Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland):
Clemson’s first offer to a tight end in the 2019 class went to Zipperer last August. The top-ranked tight end in his class, Zipperer was one of the standout performers at the Dabo Swinney Camp in June. Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott stopped by his school on Thursday. Zipperer’s offer list also includes the likes of Miami, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan and Ohio State. He isn’t in a rush to render his college decision, but Miami, Clemson, Florida and Alabama are some of the schools he is high on early.
Keon Zipperer
Jaquaze Sorrells, 4-star DL, Largo, Fla. (Largo):
Sorrells had been committed to Florida since June 2016 before reopening his recruitment in December. Clemson offered him in June and got him on campus for the first time a month later. Sorrells then returned to Clemson for the Florida State game last season. He also made game-day visits to Florida State, Alabama and Florida. Since de-committing from Florida on Dec. 30, Sorrells has picked up offers from Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Texas A&M and others. Sorrells figures to take his time before committing to another school, but Clemson has made a great early impression on him.
Jaquaze Sorrells
Noah Cain, 5-star RB, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy):
Cain is ranked as top-100 prospect in the 2019 class according to all the major recruiting services. Clemson gave him an offer last October when he was on campus for the Boston College game. He has more than two dozen offers in total, including ones from LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and others. Cain told TCI recently that Clemson, Auburn, Texas and Oklahoma are standing out to him at this stage of his recruitment. He also said he is looking to visit Clemson again, perhaps in the spring. Cain is a Louisiana native who also lived in Texas before transferring to IMG Academy.
Mike Morris, 4-star DE, Delray Beach, Fla. (American Heritage):
Morris, who has been committed to Florida State since February 2017, visited Clemson for its elite junior day in January. Morris told TCI he had an “amazing” visit and was especially impressed by the football operations facility. He was accompanied on the visit by his mother as well as his father, who was an offensive lineman at FSU in the late 1980s. Morris said he might return to Clemson for the annual Orange & White game this spring. Morris remains committed to FSU, but the Tigers gave him a lot to think about during the visit.
Other prospects to watch:
Tyrique Stevenson, 4-star ATH, Miami, Fla. (South Dade)
Braylen Ingraham, 4-star DE, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Chris Akporoghene, 3-star OT, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)
Mikel Jones, 4-star LB, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)
Tiawan Mullen, 3-star CB, Coconut Creek, Fla. (Coconut Creek)
Nolan Smith, 5-star DE, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy), Georgia commit