The 24 players signed by Clemson earlier this month added up to the #1 recruiting class in the country, thus far, by the national analysts. According to the 247Sports composite ranking, the Tigers signed six 5-star recruits and 11 four-stars. They are in position to add another major target this Saturday in 4-star WR Xzavier Henderson (6-4 185) of Miami. Henderson plans to announce his commitment Saturday during the NBC broadcast of the All-American Bowl from San Antonio. Henderson took an official visit to Clemson the weekend prior to the start of the dead period this month. He also took official visits to Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Henderson also visited Clemson in March and had a two-day camp stay in June. His brother is former Florida cornerback CJ Henderson. Clemson signed two receivers this month in EJ Williams and Ajou Ajou. Alabama also signed two receivers this month and has a third committed. Florida signed one receiver, has a commitment from a second and picked up another as a transfer. And Georgia signed four receivers this month probably making the Bulldogs a longshot for Henderson.
The other major national all-star game, the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, is set for Thursday. USC commitment DE Jordan Burch will play in that game. He did not sign this month but he told reporters in Orlando Saturday he is firmly set with the Gamecocks and will sign in February with his teammates at Hammond School. Burch said a major reason he chose the Gamecocks over LSU and Clemson was that they made him “feel like a big priority.” He said he wanted to go somewhere “I would be a priority, not another option.” Burch said he did not make his final decision until his announcement day and LSU finished second. He said coaches from LSU, Clemson, Alabama and Georgia have reached out since his commitment but he hasn’t responded. He said he hasn’t thought about whether he will take his final two official visits in January. He took officials to Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
Burch is the only Gamecock commitment in the Under Armour Game. Representing Clemson will be OL Bryn Tucker, RB Demarkcus Bowman, DT DeMonte Capehart, WR EJ Williams, OL Mitchell Mayes, LB Sergio Allen, DL Tre Williams, LB Trenton Simpson and OL Walker Parks.
Clemson signees in the All-American Bowl are DE Bryan Bresee, CB Fred Davis, DE Myles Murphy, OL Paul Tchio QB DJ Uiagalelei and SAF RJ Mickens.
USC commitment DT Alex Huntley also is in the All-American Bowl. Gamecock signee, LB Mohamed Kaba, was selected for the game but is out after suffering a season ending knee injury in October.
