Fresh off a national championship title game appearance last year, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has all the momentum to pull in a monster recruiting class for the 2017 cycle. Right now, the Tigers hold the top-ranked group of senior recruits in the ACC and the No. 7 class in the country according to 247Sports.com, a mark that can always be improved upon since the Tigers claim only 14 commits at this time.
Clemson is actively recruiting in not one class but two — the 2018 cycle is already a pressing target for members of the Tigers’ staff. Four-star linebacker Mike Jones Jr., a prospect from IMG Academy, is the lone Clemson commit in the 2018 class, and he figures to be an active recruiter until reaching campus.
Several of his current teammates were on campus for the Tigers’ overtime affair against North Carolina State, so Jones had an opportunity to show them around campus and explain why CU stood out to him so strongly. Joining Jones at Clemson were four-star wide receiver Brian Hightower and four-star defensive tackle T.K. Chimedza. Hightower has an offer from the school.
The 2018 visitor list did not stop there. Paramus Catholic is another school known for the quality of its defensive players in recent years, and junior safety Ray Minneci let Today’s U know ahead of time that he would be on campus.
Minneci, who stands 5-foot-11 and 180-pounds, is a hard worker who trains in Florida during the offseason to work with college-level athletes. Minneci is a big fan of Clemson defensive coordinator Brett Venables, and the Tigers’ staff once again provided an enjoyable experience for the New Jersey native.
“Experience was great,” Minneci told Today’s U. “Coach Venables is always great to me. It’s an honor to be respected by Coach Venables.”
Minneci is yet to land his first scholarship offer, but judging by his tape which can be viewed on Hudl, one should come rather quickly. Minneci is a versatile recruit capable of filling in at the nickel, safety or linebacker with ease and is better described as purely an athlete. At this point, Minneci has shown high interest in the University of Miami and Michigan, but Clemson is certainly a school of note to watch in his recruitment.
In addition to the New Jersey junior standout, Clemson also played host to in-state offensive lineman Gunner Britton, a prospect from nearby Conway. During a previous conversation with Today’s U, Britton was fresh off a trip to South Carolina, and he thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Columbia for the Gamecocks’ home opener against East Carolina. Britton explained that he would likely take visits to Clemson, Wake Forest, Duke and Appalachian State this fall, so his Saturdays are mostly booked.
Britton tips the scales at 275 pounds and is 6-foot-6, which is in the ideal range for a collegiate offensive lineman. Britton has received interest at both center and guard, though he would prefer to stay on the outside at the next level. Still, the junior blocker has filled in at guard this year, and his versatility will help him play early in his collegiate career. Clemson runs a spread, so his mobility would come in handy in Death Valley.
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