Ruffin visits Clemson, UGA; Tigers lead big
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One of the top offensive tackles on Clemson’s recruiting board is Tallahassee, Fla. - Leon star Quentez Ruffin, a dominant physical specimen who already has offers from LSU, Clemson, N.C. State, Kansas State, South Carolina and UCF. This past weekend the Florida lineman took two unofficial visits, a trip to Georgia which was quickly followed by a Sunday arrival to Clemson.
“We went to Georgia, and had a good time there. I think Georgia has offered a lot of offensive linemen right now, so I’m not sure they’re going to offer me just yet. The coaches there told me I was next in line on their board to get an offer if one of their targets committed elsewhere,” said Ruffin. “Right now they’re pretty high on my list, but Clemson is leading. Clemson is leading pretty big as a matter of a fact.”
The Tigers have been leading over Georgia, Florida, LSU, South Carolina and N.C. State. The trip to Clemson this weekend apparently widened that lead.
“We got up there Sunday afternoon, and we left today (Monday) around 2:00pm. (We stopped somewhere in Georgia at Ryan’s Steakhouse and had dinner). I went up there with T.J. Williams (WR 6-2, 170, 4.5) and Gavin Grigg (FB 6-0, 236, 4.75). Clemson has already offered TJ, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to offer Gavin once they get a game tape on him. He’s the type of player that can go in and help them. He can play for them,” said Ruffin. “Coach (Dabo) Swinney is a great guy, and he took us on a tour. I saw the team working out, we watched a highlight film, we saw the stadium, I saw where the players live, we saw everything. I was pretty impressed. I think I’m pretty high on their board right now, and I think I’ve got a good chance to walk in and play pretty early in my career there.”
Already this summer the Leon standout has taken unofficial visits to both LSU and Florida. And it was the Florida camp where he had a very impressive showing, running the forty-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and bench pressing 185 pounds 23 times. He also held a vertical jump of 32 ½ inches, which is superb for any player, particularly a lineman who stands in at just over 6-foot-4 weighing 290+.
“I’m looking at several schools right now, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, N.C. State, and a few more. Arkansas and Indiana are pretty close to offering. I just think Clemson might have the best opportunity for me,” said Ruffin. “My parents went with me this weekend, and I think what I’m going to do now is sit down with them over the next day or so and maybe come to a decision. I said last week that I wanted to possibly make a verbal commitment this summer, and after visiting Clemson this weekend, I think I’m probably going to go ahead and do that.”
Publisher’s note: This recruiting season Clemson has already had a strong presence in the Tallahassee, Fla. area, as a handful of prospects have emerged on Clemson’s recruiting board. Swinney has assignment to the entire area, and actually much of the state of Florida (Jacksonville area, Northwest and Northern Central Flordia).
Other prospects in Tallahassee currently receiving heavy interest from Clemson…
1. Fred Rouse (WR 6-3, 185, 4.4) Lincoln High
2. Pat Austin (ATH 6-0, 170, 4.49) Lincoln High
3. Kerry Bonds (DL 6-3, 232, 4.6) Lincoln High
4. Travis Ferrer (TE 6-5, 230, 4.7) Lincoln High
5. Brian Kendricks (DB 6-1, 205, 4.55) Lincoln High
6. Javares Knight (WR 6-5, 195, 4.55) Florida A&M
7. Roy Upchurch (RB 6-0, 186, 4.53) Godby
8. E.K. Sawyer (DB 5-10, 160, 4.53) Godby
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