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Parker expects big things from Clemson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Clemson quarterback commit Kyle Parker of Bartram Trail High believes that the Tigers are well on their way to an outstanding recruiting class during the 2008 cycle, and he's doing his best to help them.
"We have a real good class," Parker said. "We have a couple of top-notch players out of South Carolina like DaQuan Bowers and I am trying to get (Bartram Trail cornerback) Xavier Brewer and (Trinity Christian running back) Jamie Harper to come up there with me."
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The Tigers are high on the lists of both Brewer and Harper.
Clemson assistant coach Dabo Swinney, who was the Class of 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com, is the recruiter of record for Parker, Brewer and Harper and is the Tigers' primary recruiter for the Jacksonville area.
"Coach Swinney does a great job," Parker said. "He's always real intense and gets along with recruits real well. He does a great job in Northern Florida. I think that we have a chance to have a real good class this year."
Parker talked about his decision to commit to Clemson.
"The Clemson program is just wonderful," he said. "When you go up there you get the feeling that the school could be one of the top in the nation over the next few years. They have the facilities, the fans support, everything. You get the feeling that they could win the National Championship."
Parker also is impressed with the offensive system of coordinator Rob Spence, who is heading into his third season at Clemson.
"He's got a real good system," Parker said. "It's really kind of complicated. I think (current Clemson freshman) Willy Korn is the same type of quarterback I am because he is one who runs and throws. That's what I do. I am mobile. I can run out of the pocket and find receivers."
Speaking of Korn, Parker doesn't mind heading into a program with such a heralded freshman quarterback already on the roster.
"Most people second-guess you," he said. "They say, why you want to go to Clemson with a great quarterback like Willy Korn there? I am going to go up there and competing. I may not get to play for two or three years, but I will still have two or three left and that's good for a Division I-A quarterback."
There certainly are no second-guesses about his decision to become a Tiger.
"I know Clemson is where I want to be," he said. "It's not always about all the attention you get, but going to a place where you want to be."
Currently, Parker is in the midst of spring practice at his high school.
"The goal is to win a state championship," he said. "That's pretty much a team goal. As the team goes this spring, we are just trying to get better. The things I am trying to improve on are hitting steps and letting ball go. Sometimes I try to make too much happen on a play. I just need to take my steps and let it go."
Parker attended the Elite 11 regional workout in Miami in late March and was at the Tallahassee NIKE Camp April 22. He was among the better quarterbacks at each of those events.
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