Ogundeko is a Tiger

Clemson's coaching staff landed its 16th verbal commit Friday evening when Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko publicly declared for the Tigers on national television during the Under Armour All-American game.

Ogundeko became the Tigers' third defensive end take of the 2013 class, joining Shaq Lawson of Central and Dane Rogers of Shelby (NC).

The prospect, rated four stars by Rivals.com, has received national honors as an outside linebacker, though he is and has been on Clemson's recruiting board as a defensive end. Rivals.com bills Ogundeko as the 17th-best outside linebacker recruit in the nation and the top prospect overall regardless of position in the state of New York.

Ogundeko took an official visit to Clemson in November, and had favored the Tigers and Florida, but looked harder at Syracuse in December as the Gators' class added more names.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive ends coach Marion Hobby made in-home visits with the Rivals250 member in December. Coming out of those visits, as well as a December trip to Syracuse, Ogundeko had stated it was Clemson standing out among his finalists.

The Tigerillustrated.com projection to Clemson is coming off a senior season where he recorded 17 sacks and 74 tackles. As a junior Ogundeko registered 79 tackles and 11 sacks.

Ogundeko is the first defensive lineman from New York acquired by Clemson since Elsmore Gabriel in 2004. Gabriel also was out of Brooklyn.

This offseason Clemson loses veteran strongside end Malliciah Goodman, who played his final game Monday night in the Tigers' 25-24 win over No. 7 LSU.

Ogundeko is a midyear enrollee and is expected to arrive in Clemson next week to begin classes. He will be eligible to participate in spring practice.

Clemson's 2013 verbal commits

1. Ben Boulware (LB 5-11, 225) Anderson - T.L. Hanna

2. Cordrea Tankersley (DB 6-1, 195) Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy

3. Wayne Gallman (RB 6-1, 191) Loganville (Ga.) Grayson

4. D.J. Greenlee (LB 6-2, 196) Central - D.W. Daniel

5. Jadar Johnson (DB 6-1, 180) Orangeburg-Wilkinson

6. Scott Pagano (DL 6-3, 280) Honolulu (HI) Moanalua

7. Jordan Leggett (TE 6-6, 220) Navarre, Fla.

8. Maverick Morris (OL 6-5, 290) Douglas (Ga.) Coffee County

9. Mike Williams (WR 6-4, 185) Santee - Lake Marion

10. Dorian O'Daniel (LB 6-1, 200) Olney (MD) Our Lady of Good Counsel

11. Dane Rogers (DL 6-3, 235) Shelby (NC) Crest

12. Ryan Jenkins (WR 5-11, 179) Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter

13. Jayron Kearse (ATH 6-4, 195) Ft. Myers (Fla.) South Ft. Myers

14. Tyshon Dye (RB 6-0, 205) Elberton (Ga.) Elbert County

15. Shaq Lawson (DL 6-4, 270) Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy

16. Ebenezer Ogundeko (DL 6-4, 240) Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson

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