Clemson continued its 2020 recruiting blitz on Friday, as five-star running back Demarkcus Bowman announced his commitment to the Tigers. Below, Rivals.com Florida analyst Rob Cassidy has a look at how Bowman’s decision helps the Tigers and hurts the teams that let him get away.
HOW IT HELPS CLEMSON
Bowman helps the Tigers continue to build what is starting to look like a historic recruiting class, but what his commitment represents on the macro level could be just as important. Dabo Swinney and his staff are habitually raiding the state of Florida for top talent and are now extracting blue chip recruits from the state with relative ease. The Lakeland (Fla.) standout is the second Florida-based five-star in the Tigers’ 2020 class and is one of the most complete backs in the country, bringing a unique blend of speed and power to the position.
Bowman, who spent last season as the focal point of a state championship team in one of the state’s biggest classifications, is another piece of a haul that could include a record number of five-stars when all is said and done. Clemson rises to No. 2 nationally behind only LSU in the team rankings and matches LSU's haul of three five-stars in the 2020 class. The program’s momentum continues to build, which should scare a number of schools in the ACC and beyond.
HOW IT HURTS THOSE THAT MISSED
Bowman escaping the Sunshine State is an indictment of all of the in-state powers, but it probably stings Florida more than the others. The Gators finished second in this sweepstakes and once looked like the favorite to land the running back, whose high school has been a feeder school for UF in the past.
Losing Bowman won ‘t sink the Gators’ encouraging 2020 class by any means, but these are the kind of recruiting battles UF nees to win if it hopes to return to challenging for SEC and national titles. Florida State also made a run at Bowman, but was never a serious contender to land his commitment.
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