Brandon Streeter says 2018 recruiting class "means business" and is "more ready-made"

This time, it was the third edition (with many to come, we’re sure) and Clemson found itself on top at the No. 1 spot. Fans everywhere began looking and critiquing the lists of teams, even though ESPN’s polls don’t matter at all.

The poll was created after National Signing Day came to a close and the talent the Alabama’s, Georgia’s, and Clemson’s of the world brought in were evaluated. Clemson signed a total of 17 recruits and secured the No. 5 class in the country, according to ESPN. No other school in the top 25 recruiting classes signed less than 18.

It was Clemson’s fourth-straight top 10 recruiting class.

Dabo Swinney has signed 42 of ESPN’s top 150 players in the last five years. Even though Clemson's reach has never been more broad, 67 percent of Clemson’s last five recruiting classes have come from South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

There was a time in Clemson’s history where coaches would have been ecstatic on National Signing Day with this kind of class, but Brandon Streeter was stoic and business-like after the recruiting process came to a close.

Streeter was asked how excited he was about the potential of some of the incoming players, like Xavier Thomas and K.J. Henry. Streeter laughed and replied, “you could have said anyone.”

The potential is there for everyone in Clemson’s class, from Trevor Lawrence on offense, Thomas on defense, and even B.T. Potter on special teams. Thomas and Henry are just two portions, but Streeter said they both will come in and immediately make Clemson better on the practice field.

“I know why we are so successful. One main reason is that - we all know the saying, ‘as iron sharpens iron,’ -and that’s what this program is about,” Streeter said. “That’s what makes us so good. We go against each other all the time. We go 1's versus 1’s. It’s not just the top guys versus the scout team guys all the time. That helps us get better.”

Streeter mentioned his quarterbacks have had plenty of frustrating days on the practice field against a Brent Venables defense that’s usually one of the top groups in the country. But learning from those experiences and going against “the best of the best” will prepare both sides for gamedays in the fall.

“Mitch Hyatt going up against Clelin Ferrell made both of those guys special players,” Streeter added.

Don’t be surprised if the talent from the 17 signees immediately come in, step on the field, and make Clemson better overall. Swinney always mentions Sammy Watkins as a player who was ready to step on the field from day one and contribute. Streeter sees the same in Clemson’s 2018 class.

“I see guys that are more ‘ready-made’ than guys we have seen in the past,” Streeter said. “Guys that have been superstars at their place for a while and show a maturity about them throughout the recruiting process that you can tell that they mean business. They’re not here to just sit around and wait for their turn. They want to go get it.

“Most of these guys, if not all of them, fit that mold.”

It won’t be long before Clemson’s newest players can begin making their presence known. All-in drills started yesterday.

Spring practice starts in less than two weeks.