When football recruiters go hunting in South Carolina for talent, inevitably, they make it up to Football City, aka Rock Hill, and that means a stop at South Pointe, where the talent pool remains deep.
The attention right now is on DE Seth Tillman (6-3 256), who has seen coaches from Clemson, Georgia, Florida and Miami come through this month. Today, he’s expecting the South Carolina coaches to be in for a visit.
Later today, Tillman and his family will hit the road, weather permitting, for a visit to Georgia. They’ll check out the Bulldogs through Saturday before returning home. Then, their plan is to visit South Carolina on Sunday before the dead period kicks in. He is also set to visit Clemson March 7th for a junior day.
The Gamecocks have dominated the recruiting at South Pointe over the years, but Clemson is hoping to change that with Tillman. Both staffs are giving their all.
“So far, both of them are doing really great in recruiting me,” Tillman said. “They are both making it very hard for me to choose. This year is when I’m going to start looking into the coaches, their backgrounds, and the school environment. Both of the schools have what I want to major in. Asking my home boys, who are already at USC, Anthony Baxter and J’Zavien Currence, how it is up there. Ask a few of my friends at Clemson how it is, to see which one is better for me.
“I grew up a Clemson fan, but the more I matured and got older, I really wasn’t a fan of nobody,” Tillman said. “All of my options are equal right now.”
Both staffs have presented their plans for Tillman within their respective schemes.
“Clemson wants me at three-tech to an end, I believe,” Tillman said. “South Carolina wants me everywhere on the D-line, from a three-tech to a nose, and I can bump out to an end if I have to. Everyone likes how I’m versatile. I can play both of the positions, and they like my speed, hand movements, quickness and strength.”
Leading the recruiting effort for South Carolina is Travian Robertson, while Nick Eason is front and center for Clemson.
“Both of them are really great coaches,” Tillman said. “I really enjoyed both of them when they came to see me. I still had a smile on my face. I can’t decide who’s better, because both of them are equally recruiting me right now.”
Tillman said he has not decided on a top five or on any of his official visits. He’ll certainly take more visits in the spring, and he plans to attend numerous camps this summer.
Tillman was recognized as one of the nation’s top prospects with his selection to the Navy All-American Game in January.