Breaking down five-star Justyn Ross' commitment to Clemson
Alabama never slowed down their recruitment of five-star wide receiver Justyn Ross and Auburn received the last visit, but Clemson was able to pull the No. 1 prospect in Alabama from the Tide and the Tigers.
Clemson really grabbed the momentum in his recruitment in the fall and they were able to hold on through National Signing Day.
THE SITUATION
If you were talking about the last few weeks, it really seemed Alabama had a real shot to keep this one home. To those in the know mid to late fall, most would have said Ross is headed to Clemson. Auburn was always in this too. He took an official visit and unofficial visit to Clemson during the season and there was a lot of chatter behind the scenes that, that was where the five-star receiver from Alabama was headed. Alabama has not missed on the top in-state prospect since 2012, when Jameis Winston signed with Florida State — until today. Ross felt comfortable with the players in Tuscaloosa, he had connections at Auburn, but the Dabo Swinney approach and their culture won Ross over.
HOW IT HELPS CLEMSON
Ross is a potential game-changer at wide receiver. Clemson has had their share of those in recent years. He is a true five-star talent with NFL potential, so any time you are in a recruiting battle for a guy like this, it is a war and the Tigers held on. Ross is one of those playmakers will come in ready to make an immediate impact. They signed the No. 1 prospect in the country, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, so Lawrence and Ross could be a deadly combo in the years to come. To make him away from Alabama, a school Clemson has lined up against in the playoffs three years in a row has to feel very good. Ross will give the Tigers a new down the field target and a true red zone weapon to feature in their offense.
HOW IT HURTS OTHERS
This one stings both Alabama and Auburn. The No. 1 prospect in Alabama skipped over not one, but two in-state schools that he has former teammates at for Clemson. The coaching staff at Clemson did an excellent job. Todd Bates and Jeff Scott led the way and Dabo helped close the deal. The Crimson Tide and Tigers both went hard after Ross until the end and they just got beat. Ross is a five-star talent, he is an elite playmaker, Alabama really needed him to be their No. 1 guy and Auburn coveted his skill-set. This loss will hurt for some time.
