Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network.
THE STORYLINE
Clemson has had extraordinary success landing five-stars out of the state of Georgia in recent recruiting cycles.
The Tigers have gotten a five-star from there in each of the last four cycles with defensive back Andrew Booth, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive back AJ Terrell and linebacker Tre Lamar. It has been an impressive haul.
And it looks like Clemson is targeting the talent-rich state again this recruiting cycle with five-star defensive end Myles Murphy being the most likely to head to the national powerhouse.
The Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove standout has Clemson, Georgia and Auburn among his favorite schools plus Alabama can never be counted out for a Southeast five-star. Murphy has developed great relationships with the Clemson staff, he’s all-business when it comes to the recruiting process and the Tigers could already have the slight edge.
Clemson has a shot at the state’s top player, five-star athlete Arik Gilbert, but the Tigers probably trail Georgia and Tennessee.
Can coach Dabo Swinney go back into the state of Georgia to land a five-star prospect and make it five recruiting cycles in a row that he’s accomplished that feat with Murphy being the main target?
TAKE ONE: Chad Simmons, Rivals.com Southeast analyst
“I’d say right now if I had to pick it would be Clemson for Murphy. He hit it off with Todd Bates and he’s the kind of kid who’s not about the hype and the hoopla around recruiting. He’s about relationships. Murphy and Clemson look to be a pretty good fit for one another. I would say if there was a favorite I would give Clemson the edge. He fits what they do and that culture fits so I think Clemson is very much in this.”
TAKE TWO: Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National recruiting director
"All the programs he’s considering do a good job with defensive line recruiting, but Clemson with all the defensive linemen in the draft should have an especially good year. Once Clelin Ferrell goes in the first round, Christian Wilkins goes in the first round, Dexter Lawrence may go in the first round, Austin Bryant will go fairly high in the draft, that’s the thing kids are looking at more than anything - how can I get to the next level - and Clemson certainly provides that.
“I don’t know if they’ll get him. Georgia and Alabama are formidable foes but it certainly speaks to their level of recruiting that they’re considered the leader.”
