2023 Recruiting Thread

I wasn't necessarily talking about this board, but there's been lots of talk and doubt on Clemson's future in the era of the portal, NIL or the way Dabo just recruits in general. And whether Clemson would start to cycle out. We're only just a few months past when lots of people were saying Clemson was on the way out. Whether it be talking heads or no names on twitter.

But @WhosYourDawggy has definitely questioned Clemson's ability to recruit and stay near the top during these days. As I'm sure have others.
[I want to add this at the top - when I was at UGA in 83-86 the UGA Clemson rivalry was intense. One of the best in the country. But I've always liked Clemson ... we have a lot of kids go there from our area - several neighbors, and one of my son's best friends goes there. My youngest gave it consideration. So this isn't a UGA fan who hates Clemson, even if I want you to lose all your games ... LOL]

Just got back from a little vacay ... here is another problem for Clemson ... you've only won when you have had a generational QB. Maybe you have that now, I don't really know. But this is what you lose, among others, this coming year:

Murphy
Bresee
Tyler Davis
Xavier Thomas
Trenton Simpson
KJ Henry
Mascoll
McFadden

2 starters at DB
Ngata, and another starting OL and TE...
Longtime stud Punter&PK

Once those guys are gone, you have Shipley and Mukuba are your only two returning studs.

Recruiting:

2022 - 10th, with 20 commits
2021 - 5th, with 19 commits
2020 - 3rd, with 23 commits - most of these are on the list above as being gone after this year.

If you see a pattern, it's numbers. If he isn't willing to go into the portal he is in trouble. You have a talent depth problem.

You aren't like UGA, Bama and tOSU who simply replace NFL guys with other NFL guys. That's because their coaches are merciless ... you perform or your get processed. Don't get me wrong ... their cultures are also great ... it's not like Clemson is the only school that can develop a culture. It's just a different culture and unless Dabo adjusts, if the ACC gets better you guys are going to be in trouble.
 
[I want to add this at the top - when I was at UGA in 83-86 the UGA Clemson rivalry was intense. One of the best in the country. But I've always liked Clemson ... we have a lot of kids go there from our area - several neighbors, and one of my son's best friends goes there. My youngest gave it consideration. So this isn't a UGA fan who hates Clemson, even if I want you to lose all your games ... LOL]

Just got back from a little vacay ... here is another problem for Clemson ... you've only won when you have had a generational QB. Maybe you have that now, I don't really know. But this is what you lose, among others, this coming year:

Murphy
Bresee
Tyler Davis
Xavier Thomas
Trenton Simpson
KJ Henry
Mascoll
McFadden

2 starters at DB
Ngata, and another starting OL and TE...
Longtime stud Punter&PK

Once those guys are gone, you have Shipley and Mukuba are your only two returning studs.

Recruiting:

2022 - 10th, with 20 commits
2021 - 5th, with 19 commits
2020 - 3rd, with 23 commits - most of these are on the list above as being gone after this year.

If you see a pattern, it's numbers. If he isn't willing to go into the portal he is in trouble. You have a talent depth problem.

You aren't like UGA, Bama and tOSU who simply replace NFL guys with other NFL guys. That's because their coaches are merciless ... you perform or your get processed. Don't get me wrong ... their cultures are also great ... it's not like Clemson is the only school that can develop a culture. It's just a different culture and unless Dabo adjusts, if the ACC gets better you guys are going to be in trouble.

I've been hearing the same thing since 2014 when they lost most of their incredible defense. So for nearly a decade Clemson was going to fall off because they were losing a bunch of great players. I've also heard the same thing about talent depth issues when after consecutive years the classes only had less than 20 recruits.

In 2014, they had 19 recruits.
In 2015, they had 24 recruits.
In 2016, they had 21 recruits.
In 2017, they had 14 recruits.
In 2018, they had 17 recruits.
In 2019, they had 29 recruits.

We heard then too, that they wouldn't have the depth. Outside of 2019, they've never really had large recruiting classes. And each year they typically have the lowest amount of offers handed out. Clemson and Stanford both hand out much fewer offers each year. So each year we hear about how there's going to be a depth issue in the coming years. And this isn't taking into account the amount of transfers each year that they've had.

And they don't replace NFL guys with other NFL guys? Last year was a down year, but they are typically putting 5-10 guys in the draft each year. I know Georgia just had an insane draft class, but lets not act like its been like that every year.

Obviously, recruiting is a several year process and then its another year or so on campus to see how that class turns out. So its always easy to just deflect and say they are going to have an issue in a few years. But this has been the exact same argument for a decade now.
 
I've been hearing the same thing since 2014 when they lost most of their incredible defense. So for nearly a decade Clemson was going to fall off because they were losing a bunch of great players. I've also heard the same thing about talent depth issues when after consecutive years the classes only had less than 20 recruits.

In 2014, they had 19 recruits.
In 2015, they had 24 recruits.
In 2016, they had 21 recruits.
In 2017, they had 14 recruits.
In 2018, they had 17 recruits.
In 2019, they had 29 recruits.

We heard then too, that they wouldn't have the depth. Outside of 2019, they've never really had large recruiting classes. And each year they typically have the lowest amount of offers handed out. Clemson and Stanford both hand out much fewer offers each year. So each year we hear about how there's going to be a depth issue in the coming years. And this isn't taking into account the amount of transfers each year that they've had.

And they don't replace NFL guys with other NFL guys? Last year was a down year, but they are typically putting 5-10 guys in the draft each year. I know Georgia just had an insane draft class, but lets not act like its been like that every year.

Obviously, recruiting is a several year process and then its another year or so on campus to see how that class turns out. So its always easy to just deflect and say they are going to have an issue in a few years. But this has been the exact same argument for a decade now.
[Edit - the reason I am posting this is that I believe this doesn't have to be a thing. I think Dabo is bringing this on himself because he is so stuborn. We are in a different era, and if he doesn't change I don't think that bodes well for you]

The only problem is that these predictions have now come true. The 2017 and 2018 classes were exactly why you had an off-year last year. I had been focused on those two classes of 17 and 14 for a long time. That's literally like losing a whole class. You didn't have any depth when you had some key injuries, and you finally had a QB that didn't pan out. Off year. If you guys had to play in a conference where you had any competition I don't think you would be so cavalier about your talent level.

As for replacing NFL guys with NFL guys, we are in Smart's 6th year of having his guys and we are replacing NFL guys with NFL guys. Here is a break down since Smart came to UGA:

Year / UGA / Bama / tOSU / Clemson
2022 / 15 / 7 / 6 / 2
2021 / 9 / 10 / 10 / 5
2020 / 7 / 9 / 10 / 7
2019 / 7 / 10 / 9 / 6
2018 / 6 / 12 / 7 / 3
2017 / 1 / 10 / 7 / 6

2023 Mock drafts have us with 3-5 first rounders, and 10+ getting drafted. This will be a good year for you guys, but to my point what do you have after that? The point I've made in the past is that Dabo's way of recruiting can only work so long. Refusing to play with transfers is going to hurt you where others are all in on it, and with NIL (I know, you guys do NIL, too).

Since you won your last NC, you have lost 2 CFP games by a combined 91-53, and you missed the past year. Couple that with the ACC maybe getting better (?), your talent dropping off and roster management being questionable, Dabo not using the transfer portal, and losing your coordinators, as a fan I would be asking if we are trending in the right direction.

Dabo dances to his own tune, that's for sure. I think he is going to have to change as the sport changes or it won't bode well for you. I think the cracks are there if you look deeper.
 
Last edited:
lol damn we got 2/3 of the top players in Louisiana.. thanks BK! #HookEm

1656370703031.png
 
[Edit - the reason I am posting this is that I believe this doesn't have to be a thing. I think Dabo is bringing this on himself because he is so stuborn. We are in a different era, and if he doesn't change I don't think that bodes well for you]

The only problem is that these predictions have now come true. The 2017 and 2018 classes were exactly why you had an off-year last year. I had been focused on those two classes of 17 and 14 for a long time. That's literally like losing a whole class. You didn't have any depth when you had some key injuries, and you finally had a QB that didn't pan out. Off year. If you guys had to play in a conference where you had any competition I don't think you would be so cavalier about your talent level.

As for replacing NFL guys with NFL guys, we are in Smart's 6th year of having his guys and we are replacing NFL guys with NFL guys. Here is a break down since Smart came to UGA:

Year / UGA / Bama / tOSU / Clemson
2022 / 15 / 7 / 6 / 2
2021 / 9 / 10 / 10 / 5
2020 / 7 / 9 / 10 / 7
2019 / 7 / 10 / 9 / 6
2018 / 6 / 12 / 7 / 3
2017 / 1 / 10 / 7 / 6

2023 Mock drafts have us with 3-5 first rounders, and 10+ getting drafted. This will be a good year for you guys, but to my point what do you have after that? The point I've made in the past is that Dabo's way of recruiting can only work so long. Refusing to play with transfers is going to hurt you where others are all in on it, and with NIL (I know, you guys do NIL, too).

Since you won your last NC, you have lost 2 CFP games by a combined 91-53, and you missed the past year. Couple that with the ACC maybe getting better (?), your talent dropping off and roster management being questionable, Dabo not using the transfer portal, and losing your coordinators, as a fan I would be asking if we are trending in the right direction.

Dabo dances to his own tune, that's for sure. I think he is going to have to change as the sport changes or it won't bode well for you. I think the cracks are there if you look deeper.
Wow. All that talent and one Natty, maybe the coach we should be concern about is Kirby. Taking over a 10 win team, on top of the most lucrative recruiting grounds in all of CFB with no in-state competition, and a free trip to the conference championship game every year, only One National Title lol. And we worried about Dabo who's been doing it different since he took over and won two Titles with "talent" that shouldn't be any where near a championship game
 
As for replacing NFL guys with NFL guys, we are in Smart's 6th year of having his guys and we are replacing NFL guys with NFL guys. Here is a break down since Smart came to UGA:

Year / UGA / Bama / tOSU / Clemson
2022 / 15 / 7 / 6 / 2
2021 / 9 / 10 / 10 / 5
2020 / 7 / 9 / 10 / 7
2019 / 7 / 10 / 9 / 6
2018 / 6 / 12 / 7 / 3
2017 / 1 / 10 / 7 / 6
As for replacing NFL guys with NFL guys who actually start.

Clemson: 19
Georgia: 19

not including ST
 
As for replacing NFL guys with NFL guys who actually start.

Clemson: 19
Georgia: 19

not including ST
Not sure what you think you were showing. We are talking about college talent over the last 5 years. I gave you the numbers. Clemson is 4th of the four main teams I highlighted. We are also talking about the lack of it going forward ... are you arguing that you have people to replace the ones that I listed in my initial post, because I don't see it.
 
Wow. All that talent and one Natty, maybe the coach we should be concern about is Kirby. Taking over a 10 win team, on top of the most lucrative recruiting grounds in all of CFB with no in-state competition, and a free trip to the conference championship game every year, only One National Title lol. And we worried about Dabo who's been doing it different since he took over and won two Titles with "talent" that shouldn't be any where near a championship game
If you are concerned about CKS, let's hear it. I am open to it. I'll start ... in his first few years he made some mistakes as a coach ... first time coaches tend to do that ... we know Dabo did and grew from it. But CKS has grown and become a better game coach. He made a terrible move promoting Coley to OC ... that's probably the worst thing he has done.

Other than that what else you got? He's a top recruiter, and his roster management is very good. Yeah, we only have one title, but we lost in OT against Bama in another, and guess what we have to do every year - play an SEC schedule and get through Bama twice. Would love to play that ACC schedule.

Let's think about what my post was about - CFB is undergoing the most radical change ever. Which coach is adjusting better? As I stated in my first post, my point here is that all of this is something that Dabo is bringing down on himself. He either changes or you will have harder time winning as you did the previous 5 years.
 
Yeah but the problem is Sark and Co. still have to coach them.
judging by his past QBs, he'll be ok...

how is BV and his killer staff doing on the trail?
 
judging by his past QBs, he'll be ok...

how is BV and his killer staff doing on the trail?
Better than Florida. :biggrin: Look at all the new guys hired. Other than ND its going to take some time although I think OU closes the gap late like they always do.
 
judging by his past QBs, he'll be ok...

how is BV and his killer staff doing on the trail?
Ill also note that you had back to back top 3 classes with Herman. Getting talent has never been the issue at texas.

Heres a take I saw from a realistic texas fan....

There are at least four teams ranked a lot higher than us and all have more veteran talent than We do, Bama, OSU, Baylor, and OU. They play better defense than we do. Three have veteran QB’s. The other beat out a starter who led his team to the conference championshi. Let’s be real. The 2023 class is playing high school and 2022 class are playing against men who,have been on campus and in the weight room for a while. i am hoping for 8 wins and dreaming for 10.
 
Ill also note that you had back to back top 3 classes with Herman. Getting talent has never been the issue at texas.

Heres a take I saw from a realistic texas fan....

There are at least four teams ranked a lot higher than us and all have more veteran talent than We do, Bama, OSU, Baylor, and OU. They play better defense than we do. Three have veteran QB’s. The other beat out a starter who led his team to the conference championshi. Let’s be real. The 2023 class is playing high school and 2022 class are playing against men who,have been on campus and in the weight room for a while. i am hoping for 8 wins and dreaming for 10.
outside of Bama I think UT has the better offenses on paper. Defensively? yeah I'm really not enamored with what we have. Biggest question marks on the defense to me is the LB outside DO (and even i'm not 100% in with him) and who is going to rush the QB at the DE/Jack spots.

But i don't think the defense can be as bad as what we had a season ago.. and if the offense tends not to start the second halves of games going 3 and out til the middle of the 4th qtr, perhaps we are able to hold on and win a couple of the games we lost a season ago.

But as far as recruiting.. they need to hit on DE and LB badly.. I like the take of Burrell and hopefully Anthony Hill also comes. As far as DE they seem to be taking more projects.
 
outside of Bama I think UT has the better offenses on paper. Defensively? yeah I'm really not enamored with what we have. Biggest question marks on the defense to me is the LB outside DO (and even i'm not 100% in with him) and who is going to rush the QB at the DE/Jack spots.

But i don't think the defense can be as bad as what we had a season ago.. and if the offense tends not to start the second halves of games going 3 and out til the middle of the 4th qtr, perhaps we are able to hold on and win a couple of the games we lost a season ago.

But as far as recruiting.. they need to hit on DE and LB badly.. I like the take of Burrell and hopefully Anthony Hill also comes. As far as DE they seem to be taking more projects.

How is Texas feeling about Vasek?
 
How is Texas feeling about Vasek?
Not sure, think there are other players in front of him that they want but like greathouse, I'm not sure they are locks to jump into this class late. My gut tells me he goes elsewhere.
 
Top 15 guys at each offensive position:

QB:
1. Arch Manning - Texas
2. Malachi Nelson - USC
3. Nicholaus Iamaleava - Tennessee
4. Dante Moore - Uncommitted (CB for Oregon)
5. Jackson Arnold - Oklahoma
6. Christopher Vizzina - Clemson
7. Jaden Rashada - Miami FL
8. Eli Holstein - Alabama
9. Dylan Lonergan - Uncommitted (CB for South Carolina, Stanford and Alabama pushing)
10. Pierce Clarkson - Louisville
11. Rickie Collins - Purdue
12. Avery Johnson - Uncommitted (CB for Kansas State)
13. Austin Novosad - Baylor (Texas A&M pushing for the flip)
14. JJ Kohl - Iowa State
15. Brayden Dorman - Arizona

RB:
1. Rueben Owens - Louisville
2. Richard Young - Uncommitted (CB for Alabama, Oregon pushing)
3. Cedric Baxter - Uncommitted (CB for Texas)
4. Justice Haynes - Uncommitted (CB for Georgia)
5. Treyaun Webb - Uncommitted (CB for Penn State, Florida pushing)
6. Kaleb Jackson - Uncommitted (No CB, Texas A&M, LSU and Alabama pushing)
7. Quinten Joyner - USC
8. Jeremiah Cobb - Uncommitted (CB for Auburn)
9. Daylan Smothers - Uncommitted (CB for Florida State, NC State and Oklahoma pushing)
10. Mark Fletcher - Ohio State
11. Samuel Singleton - Uncommitted (No CB, Florida State appears to be the leader)
12. Trey Holly - LSU
13. Cole Cabana - Michigan
14. Dante Dowdell - Oregon
15. Dontavius Braswell - Uncommitted (No CB, Nebraska, South Carolina, Louisville and Boston College pushing)

WR:
1. Zachariah Branch - USC (Texas A&M pushing for a flip)
2. Brandon Inniss - Ohio State
3. Carnell Tate - Ohio State
4. Jalen Brown - Uncommitted (CB for Miami FL)
5. Shelton Sampson Jr. - Uncommitted (CB for LSU, Alabama and Florida State pushing)
6. Johntay Cook - Uncommitted (CB for Texas)
7. Hykeem Williams - Uncommitted (CB for Texas A&M, Miami FL pushing)
8. Jaquaize Pettaway - Uncommitted (CF for Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Texas pushing)
9. Noah Rogers - Ohio State
10. DeAndre Moore Jr - Louisville
11. Jalen Hale - Uncommitted (No CB, Georgia, USC, and Texas A&M pushing)
12. Ryan Nilbett - Texas
13. Jurrion Dickey - Oregon
14. Omarion Miller - Uncommitted (CB for Nebraska, LSU pushing)
15. Raymond Cottrell - Georgia

TE:
1. Duce Robinson - Uncommitted (CB for USC, Georgia pushing)
2. Walker Lyons - Uncommitted (CB for BYU, Stanford, Utah and USC pushing)
3. Pearce Spurlin - Georgia
4. Riley Williams - Uncommitted (CB for Miami FL)
5. Luke Hasz - Arkansas
6. Ethan Davis - Tennessee
7. Shamar Easter - Arkansas
8. Ty Lockwood - Ohio State
9. Jelani Thurman - Uncommitted (No CB, Michigan State, Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State pushing)
10. Mac Markway - LSU
11. Lawson Luckie - Georgia
12. Andrew Rappleyea - Penn State
13. Cooper Flanagan - Notre Dame
14. Brett Norfleet - Missouri
15. Jaden Platt - Stanford

OT:
1. Francis Mauigoa - Uncommitted (No CB, Alabama, USC, Tennessee and Miami FL pushing)
2. Kadyn Proctor - Uncommitted (CB for Iowa, Alabama pushing)
3. Samson Okunlola - Uncommitted (No CB, Michigan State, Alabama and Miami FL pushing)
4. Luke Montgomery - Ohio State
5. Charles Jagusah - Uncommitted (CB for Notre Dame)
6. Chase Bisontis - Uncommitted (No CB, Texas A&M, Rutgers, LSU and Michigan State pushing)
7. J'ven Williams - Penn State
8. Monroe Freeling - Uncommitted (No CB, Georgia, Florida, Miami FL and Notre Dame pushing)
9. Zalance Heard - Uncommitted (No CB, LSU, Texas and Nebraska pushing)
10. Wilkin Formbly - Alabama
11. Bo Hughley - Georgia
12. Cayden Green - Uncommitted (CB for Oklahoma)
13. Lucas Simmons - Uncommitted (No CB, Florida, Florida State, USC and Tennessee pushing)
14. Spencer Fano - Uncommitted (CB for BYU, Utah, Oregon, Miami FL and Michigan pushing)
15. Olas Alinen - Uncommitted (CB for Alabama, Georgia, Miami FL, Oregon and Ohio State pushing)

IOL:
1. Alex Birchmeier - Penn State
2. Harris Sewell - Uncommitted (CB for Clemson)
3. Markis Deal - Uncommitted (No CB, Arkansas, Texas, TCU and USC pushing)
4. Madden Sanker - Uncommitted (CB for Louisville)
5. Markee Anderson - Uncommitted (CB for South Carolina, Clemson, LSU and North Carolina pushing)
6. Roderick Kearney - Florida State
7. TJ Shanahan - Uncommitted (No CB, Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU pushing)
8. Joshua Padilla - Ohio State
9. Jaydon Chatman - Texas
10. Austin Siereveld - Ohio State
11. Brycen Sanders - Ole Miss
12. Kelton Smith - Uncommitted (CB for Georgia)
13. Riley Van Poppel - Nebraska
14. Amir Herring - Uncommitted (CB for Michigan)
15. Luke Brown - Arkansas
 
Back
Top