The Tiger

Issue date: 6/13/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: unknown

In the spring semester, the Clemson Tiger football coaching staff signed a landmark recruiting class that will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on the field next year and many years down the road. National Signing Day saw 19 letters of intent signed and faxed to an ecstatic Clemson coaching staff lead by head coach Tommy Bowden and recruiting coordinator Billy Napier. These 19 future Tigers will join six other members of the 2008 class who graduated high school a semester early and are currently enrolled at Clemson. The three Signing Day commitments of Under Armor All Americans Jamie Harper, Antoine McClain and Dwayne Allen recently launched this recruiting class to a number two ranking nationally by ESPN and number 10 by Scout.com.
While loaded to the gills with talent at almost every position, this 2008 recruiting class will satisfy some glaring needs for the Tiger depth chart. The departure of one man wrecking crew and future NFL draft pick Phillip Merling leaves a big hole at strong side defensive end for the 2008 season. Clemson fans can rest assured that this hole should be easily filled with the massive 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound physique of ESPN's number one ranked recruit in the nation, DaQuan Bowers. Hailing from Bamberg-Ehrhardt high school, this former teammate of Ricky Sapp should be one of college football's highest impact freshmen when he settles in on the opposite side of his good friend wearing number seven. Delivering an outstanding performance in ESPN's Under Armor All American Game, Bowers was named the MVP for the Silver Team. The highest ranked prospect to ever sign for the Tigers, Bowers finished high school a semester early and is currently enrolled at Clemson to participate in spring ball and get a head start on the 2008 season.
Adding more depth to the strong side of the line will be JUCO transfer Jarrett Crittenton. At 6-foot-7 inches, 270 pounds, Crittenton moves freakishly well, and with two years of experience against collegiate talent at North Dakota State Junior College, he should be ready to step in and contribute from the moment he arrives on campus. Rounding out the defensive line class is defensive tackle Brandon Thompson out of Thomasville, Ga. Clemson currently has no shortage of athletic, penetrating defensive tackles but could definitely use a massive run stuffing interior presence. Although he is surprisingly quick for his size, at 6-foot-2 inches and 295 pounds, Brandon Thompson should provide a great anchor for a speedy Clemson defense with his bowling ball physique.

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