Early Signing Period: Previews and Predictions
As a team, we expect all 12 verbal commitments to sign with Clemson tomorrow. Clemson has a good chance with the five targets we highlighted earlier today.
As always, you can find our staff predictions on every recruits' page, but here is what we think as we head towards the early signing period.
Cade Mays - ★★★★★ Offensive lineman who de-committed from Tennessee on November 6th. Mays announced a top three featuring Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State on November 30th.
Lawton: Lots of buzz has surrounded Mays the past 24 hours. Much more than I expected for sure. Mays appeared to be a lock to Clemson, but a late push by Georgia has made this a tight race. I still lean towards Clemson. His persona seems to fit Clemson more than Georgia.
Sanders: To me, this is about as 50/50 as it gets and it would not surprise me whether Mays chooses Georgia or Clemson. Heck, Even Jeremy Pruitt made a late push to get back the Vols' lost commit. I Hate to burst Clemson's bubble, but I believe he slips through and goes to Georgia.
Seldom Used Reserve: This is a prime example of why I have a love /hate relationship with recruiting. You never know until a guy signs, and then you still might not know. Late buzz generally equals bad news, in this case for the Tigers. I'll say Georgia and be happy to be proven wrong.
Lowell: Mays will commit to...Clemson. The only real threat to the Tigers was Tennessee, the hometown team. Once Mays dropped them from consideration, he became a lock to the Tigers in my mind, despite a late push from the Bulldogs.
KJ Henry - ★★★★★ At 6'5", 235-pounds the defensive end prospect from Clemmons, North Carolina (West Forsyth High) is down to Clemson, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia.
Lawton: You want to talk about putting the icing on the cake, for Clemson that's what Henry would be. This kid is going to be a special player. He reminds me of Clelin Ferrell but seems physically closer to being ready to play than Ferrell did coming out of high school. I'm painting Henry orange, and I think he will be a Tiger.
Sanders: It sounds like Henry and Xavier Thomas are basically brothers, and Henry knows that the two as a duo would be a dream for them and Clemson fans. He'll be a Tiger, and Brent Venables will again reload his defensive line that is the best position group in college football.
Seldom Used Reserve: Clemson. In addition to the relationship with Thomas, it's hard to imagine not wanting to play in the defense that Clemson is building for a guy like Brent Venables. It doesn't hurt that Clemson's defensive ends are featured prominently in every nationally televised game.
Lowell: Henry will commit to...Clemson. The Tigers have been in the prime position with Henry for a while, and I think the North Carolina product will remain close to home while becoming the second part of a bookend along with Xavier Thomas.
Jamaree Salyer - ★★★★★ From the outside looking in, Salyer seemed to be a lock to the Georgia Bulldogs. Late last week some buzz around if we would commit or not during the early signing period cropped up. Sunday, he verified that he would indeed commit on Wednesday. Salyer is expected to choose between Georgia and Clemson.
Lawton: The first time I saw Jamaree, I was in love. This young man has all the tools and will make an NFL roster unless he gets hurt. Unfortunately, the pull of Georgia is too great, and Clemson will miss out on this big fella.
Sanders: Sayler can maybe be one of those players that Clemson turns the juice on late in the process to get. The only questions I have are: was it too late or was it enough to sway him from the Bulldogs. I think he will sign with Georgia, which could be a significant impact on where Cade Mays decides to sign.
Seldom Used Reserve: In my mind, he's Georgia's to lose. Stranger things have happened when Dabo and company do their thing, but it would be an upset if Salyer chose Clemson. Georgia is the choice.
Lowell: Salyer will commit to...Georgia. I will be shocked if the staff is able to swing Salyer away from the hometown Bulldogs, especially with the success Kirby Smart and co. had this season.
Lyn-J Dixon - ★★★★ Dixon was also a Tennessee commit, but backed off of that pledge after the Vols struggled this past season. Dixon, the 5'11, 183-pound running back is down to Clemson and Oklahoma State.
Lawton: Speed, balance, power. Watch the tape, you will like what you see. Tennessee would have been this destination, but the situation on Rocky Top costs the Volunteers a really good player. Dixon will join a good group of running backs at Clemson and should have a year to develop before his services are needed.
Sanders: Once Dixon backed off of Tennessee, Tony Elliott saw an opening, made his move, and worked his magic. I believe Dixon will sign to Clemson and make a nice to the committee of backs that Clemson successfully established this season.
Seldom Used Reserve: I don't really have a good feel for this one, and that's an interesting final 2, to say the least. In the end, the pull of a recent National Championship, three straight playoff appearances and all the other things Clemson has to offer will be too much. Clemson.
Lowell: Dixon will commit to...Clemson. Dixon apparently was impressed by a recent trip to Oklahoma State, but the thought has been that he's leaned towards Clemson ever since de-committing from Tennessee. Was Oklahoma State able to swing him at the last second, even if he's leaned Clemson this whole time? I doubt it.
Jackson Carman - ★★★★★ Carman is a big, long and athletic tackle, who may be competing for a starting job sooner rather than later. Carman, 6'6, 365-pounds will most likely choose between Ohio State and Clemson.
Lawton: If Cade Mays' late maneuvers land him in Athens, Carman would become an ideal pickup for Clemson. The Tigers have been high on his list, but overcoming Ohio State for homegrown talent is tough. In my estimation, Carman is a Buckeye.
Sanders: All the information I've gathered tells me Carman is going to go to Ohio State and stay home. Apparently, he's been a Buckeye lock since the very beginning.
Seldom Used Reserve: Ohio State. Too much to overcome to get Carman to Clemson. Seems like a young man that enjoyed the recruiting process and enjoyed his interaction with Clemson, but in the end, he's a Buckeye.
Lowell: Carman will commit to...Ohio State. I would not be shocked one bit if he actually commits to Clemson, as the Tigers led for his services at one point and he is still high on them. But I believe it's going to take a huge sales job to pull him away from his hometown Buckeyes. I just don't think the Tigers can quite get it done... but again, I wouldn't be shocked.