Ruffin commits to Clemson
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Tigerillustrated.com first reports the verbal commitment of Tallahassee, Fla. offensive tackle Quentez Ruffin to the Clemson Tigers. The 6-foot-4, 287-pound tackle is the second offensive lineman commitment for the Tigers this season. Ruffin made his pledge to assistant coach and recruiter Dabo Swinney early Friday morning shortly after 12:00am.
On June 11th Tigerillustrated.com reported that Ruffin had now received an offer from Clemson.
On July 7th we reported that Clemson was still maintaining its lead, and that Ruffin was nearing a decision. We also mentioned that his unofficial visit to Clemson was now scheduled.
Finally on July 13th we reported that he had tripped to both Georgia and Clemson, though with Clemson coming away with the lead.
While the moment has been building up for the Tallahassee - Leon star, it finally bottomed out early Friday morning.
"I called Coach Swinney at midnight and I talked with him for awhile about making a commitment and coming on board with Clemson. He told me that if they accepted my commitment, they were basically taking a spot off of their board, so he was talking about how firm I needed to be, and I am. I'm a 100% Clemson," said Ruffin.
The 287-pound tackle joins Belton-Honea Path's Barry Humphries as one of two offensive linemen commitments to have fallen for the Tigers this season.
"I'm supposed to be talking with Coach (Brad) Scott this morning, and hopefully they'll have coach (Tommy) Bowden on the phone. I'm suppose to call sometime this morning."
Already this summer Ruffin has visited LSU, Florida, and Georgia. He has offers from LSU, Clemson, N.C. State, Kansas State, South Carolina and UCF.
Ruffin ran a 4.9 in the forty-yard dash at Florida's camp, and also vertical jumped 32 1/2 inches.
His highly touted teammate, wide receiver T.J. Williams has also been offered by Clemson, as well as Georgia.
"Tell the Clemson fans out there that I'm coming. I'm coming up there and I'm bringing my game with me," said Ruffin. "To have an opportunity to possibly come in and start at a place like Clemson is a dream come true, and it's a big deal. I'm just excited about everything. Now I can start to focus on my season and get ready for my final year here."
Earlier in the evening Ruffin took his grandmother out to dinner (Red Lobster) where the two discussed his plans. Ruffin in fact said that his grandmother not only gave him her blessing to commit to Clemson, but also noted that she played a part in the decision.
The Tallahassee, Fla. - Leon star projects to qualify academically.
*** One other notable item worthy of mention in that Ruffin said while on a tour of the campus on Monday he walked to the training room with Swinney where he was measured and weighed. The results: 6-foot-5, 293.
Clemson commitments to date
1. Durrell Barry (TE 6-5, 242, 4.7) Summerville - Fork Union, Va.
2. Phillip Merling (DL 6-5, 265, 4.8) Memphis, TN - Fork Union, Va.
3. Barry Humphries (L 6-3, 291, 4.96) Belton-Honea Path
4. Rendrick Taylor (WR 6-2, 210, 4.6) Bennettsville - Marlboro County
5. Tyler Grisham (ATH 5-11, 183, 4.45) Birmingham, Ala. - Spain Park
6. Tony Nelson (RB 5-10, 190, 4.5) Germantown, MD - Northwest
7. Paul Muse (TE 6-5, 245, 4.8) Jacksonville, Fla. - First Coast
8. Hadrian Lewis (DB 6-0, 180, 4.55) Summerville - Stratford
9. Quentez Ruffin (OL 6-4, 287, 4.9) Tallahassee, Fla. - Leon
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