Clemson takes a DAAWG

Clemson has accepted a verbal commitment from 6'4 225 pound Mountainbrook, AL defensive end Drew Traylor. Traylor selected Clemson over Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Duke. Traylor did have a conditional offer from USC, but he is not a player that South Carolina would have accepted a commitment from at this time.

Traylor is asolid player, but much more along the lines of Jordin Lindsey that Travian Robertson. This is another clear sign that Clemson does not think they will turn Robertson, and that they are out of the running for both Cheraw High School's Cliff Matthews and Fort Dorchester's Carlos Dunlap.

D.A.A.W.G. stands for Dabo's Annual Alabama White Guy. For the third consecutive year, Sweeney has dipped into the state of Alabama for a guy that the in-state schools did not want. Two years ago, Sweeney landed wide receiver Tyler Grisham from Hoover, AL. Last year, it was wide receiver Jeffrey Ogren, who is the teammate of USC freshman quarterback Chris Smelley. Let's face it, there are not that many caucasian defensive ends making impacts around the southeast. If Traylor was an elite player, he would not be leaving the state of Alabama.

Getting back to Smelley and Ogren. Clemson had both in their summer camp, passed on Smelley, the nations 8th best pro-style quarterback according to Rivals.com, yet signed Riverside High School quarterback Michael Wade, who was not selected for either the Shrine Bowl or the North-South All-Star game. Hmmm.

Going along those lines, Clemson signs Ogren, yet passes on Moe Brown, who grew up a Clemson fan, and right in their back yard at Westside High School. So let's evaluate the these two recruiting decisons.

USC signs QB Chris Smelley and WR Moe Brown. Clemson signs QB Michael Wade and WR Jeffrey Ogren. Who do you think go the best of that deal? According to sources close to the USC porgram, Smelley has the best arm on the team and throws a beautiful, catchable ball. Moe Brown has been sensational in pre-seaon practice and will play as a true freshman. Neither Wade or Ogren will play this year at Clemson, and if they ever play significant minutes at Clemson, it is an indictment on their program, as both players are dead average.