Clemson 2010 football recruiting capsules

Tavaris Barnes, 6-5, 250, DT, Jacksonville, Fla. Originally committed to Florida State, switched to Clemson following a mid-January visit. An excellent edge rusher who had nine sacks as a senior and 65 tackles and six sacks as a junior, he brings great energy and work ethic. Rated as No.29 DT and No.47 overall player in Florida by Rivals.com, rated No.73 DT in nation by Scout.com. Also had offers from Florida, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina.

David Beasley, OG, 6-4, 287, Columbus, Ga. A very aggressive drive blocker who loves to pancake his defender into the turf and one of the more highly-sought offensive linemen in the Southeast. Bench-presses 345 pounds and squats 495; rated as No.22 OG nationally by Rivals.com, No.29 nationally by Scout.com. Clemson fended off strong push from Georgia, also Arkansas, Miami, Maryland, Ole Miss.

Victor Beasley, ATH, 6-5, 213, Adairsville, Ga. A large athletic presence who could get immediate playing time as a freshman tight end; his father is a former Auburn player. As a junior, he caught 15 passes for 200 yards and had 57 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception as a linebacker. Chose Clemson over offers from Auburn and Alabama. Rated as No.36 outside linebacker by Scout.com, No.37 athlete and No.37 Georgia prospect by Rivals.com.

Bashaud Breeland, ATH, 6-1, 190, Allendale A multi-talented threat who projects as a college cornerback. Entering senior season, had 1,031 career yards rushing and 17 scores, with 678 yds and 11 TD’s through the air. Had 156 tackles, 49 pass breakups and 11 interceptions. Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds. Picked Clemson over South Carolina, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Penn State and Tennessee, among others. Rated as No.55 athlete in nation by Rivals.com, No.22 safety by Scout.com.

Desmond Brown, S, 6-0, 192, Centre, Ala. Quick, talented athlete who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. Projects as a safety at Clemson but played all over the field in high school, lining up at running back, cornerback, receiver and returning kicks. Has excellent size and coverage ability. Picked Clemson over Arkansas, Mississippi State, Tennessee; rated by Rivals.com as No.24 safety prospect and No.12 prospect in state of Alabama, and No.64 safety prospect by Scout.com.

Martavis Bryant, WR, Hanna HS, Anderson One of the top receivers in Class of 2010, an athletic, lanky wideout with 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. Reminds some of Georgia receiver A.J. Green or former Georgia wideout Fred Gibson. Chose Clemson over Florida, Florida State, UCLA; one of top 6 prospects in state and No.10 overall receiver by Rivals.com and No.37 wideout by Scout.com. Had 44 receptions for 776 yards, 6 scores as junior.

Demont Buice, RB, 6-2, 205, Gadsden, Ala. A bruising prospect who adds power to Clemson’s backfield. Had 2,283 yards and 45 touchdowns as a sophomore before injuries held him to 1,600 yards and 26 scores as junior. Picked Clemson over Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisville. Rivals.com rates him as No.17 overall prospect in Alabama, No.40 tailback; Scout.com rates him as No.68 tailback prospect.

Ricky Chaney, LB, 6-3, 200, Beaufort One of the early members of the Class of 2010, rated by Rivals.com as No.21 prospect in South Carolina and No.72 national OLB prospect. Rated No.73 OLB prospect by Scout.com. An athletic, fast defender who loves to hit; had 37 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior.

Sam Cooper, TE, 6-5, 230, Nashville, Tenn. Impressed coaches at Dabo Swinney’s football camp and committed to Clemson over Michigan and Duke. Had five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown as a junior in a run-heavy offense; has a 3.7 GPA and 4.8-second 40-yard dash. Rated No.53 tight end prospect by Scout.com.

Joe Craig, ATH, 6-0, 170, Gaffney. A multi-talented athlete who did a little bit of everything for Gaffney; runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. Had 408 yards and 7 rushing scores, 263 yards passing and a touchdown and 16 receptions for 228 yards and 3 scores as a junior. Rated by Rivals.com as one of state’s top 15 prospects and No.45 overall athlete. Rated as No.75 overall wide receiver by Scout.com.

Corey Crawford, DE, 6-5, 235, Columbus, Ga. A rushing defensive end who models himself after NFL star Julius Peppers; Oliver Purnell has told him he’s open to contributing on the basketball team if possible. Had 72 tackles and seven sacks as a junior linebacker. Picked Clemson over Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia among others. Teammate of fellow signee David Beasley; he’s rated as No.20 DE nationally by Rivals.com, No.18 by Scout.com.

Kalon Davis, OG, 6-6, 330, Chester A mountain of a man who is light on his feet and a powerful pulling blocker, signed with Clemson early and will go through spring practice with the Tigers. Picked Clemson over Wake Forest, N.C. State, Penn State, Vandy and Wisconsin. Bench-presses 350 pounds and squats 450. Rated as No.34 overall guard by Rivals.com and No.46 by Scout.com.

DeAndre Hopkins, ATH, 6-2, 195, D.W. Daniel HS An athletic, quick, multi-talented prospect who projects as a cornerback at Clemson; he had 14 interceptions as a sophomore, but also contributed at WR and returning kicks. He’s the 2009 Independent Mail Player of the Year, and also excels at basketball. Committed to Clemson last March and turned down interest from a boatload of programs. Rated as one of state’s top 10 prospects, No.12 athlete by Rivals.com and No.13 corner by Scout.com.

D.J. Howard, TB, 6-0, 195, Lincoln, Ala. A speedy back who was originally committed to Auburn, but picked Clemson over AU and Kentucky because of desire to play tailback, not safety. Rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Also an excellent track athlete who competes in 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump. Rated as No.15 player in Alabama, No.40 athlete in nation by Rivals.com. Rated as No.62 safety in nation by Scout.com.

Martin Jenkins,DB, 5-9, 170, Roswell, Ga. A speedy sleeper prospect who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds; had two interceptions and a fumble as a junior, while rolling up 750 yards of total offense rushing and receiving. Clemson DC Kevin Steele coached his father at Tennessee. Picked Clemson over Syracuse, Middle Tennessee State and Toledo. Rated as No.94 corner in America by Scout.com.

Jake Nicolopulos, LB, 6-2, 220, Hanna HS Considered one of top 30 outside linebackers in America by Rivals.com but will not play football collegiately after recently suffering stroke. He will sign letter of intent today and Clemson will honor his scholarship as a medical scholarship. Picked Clemson over Cal, Kentucky, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

Justin Parker, LB, 6-3, 230, Beaufort A big signing day pickup for Clemson, a versatile player who could play all three linebacker positions. Had 140 tackles, 12 for loss, and seven sacks as a senior. Rated as No.13 overall player in state by Rivals.com, No.13 middle linebacker in America by Scout.com and No.7 inside linebacker in America by ESPN. Chose Clemson over a strong push from South Carolina and LSU.

Garry Peters, CB, 6-0, 173, Conyers, Ga. A multi-talented athlete who played quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback in high school but projects as a college corner. Picked Clemson over Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee and Auburn, among others. Could play early on special teams, as he is still getting used to playing cornerback exclusively. Rated No.20 corner prospect by Rivals.com, No.55 corner prospect by Scout.com.

Darius Robinson, CB, 6-0, 170, Atlanta, Ga. An excellent defender who committed to Clemson, then considered Auburn and Georgia Tech before sticking with his original commitment. Had 43 tackles and three interceptions as a junior and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds. Rated by Rivals.com as No.247 overall prospect and No.16 cornerback prospect. Rated by Scout.com as No.27 cornerback prospect.

Tra Thomas, DT, 6-1, 271, Wadesboro, N.C. A big tackle prospect with excellent feet who committed to Clemson at recent Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Picked Clemson over offers from Duke, East Carolina, Baylor, Michigan State and West Virginia. Rated as No.103 overall DT by Scout.com.

Gifford Timothy, OT, 6-6, 288, Middletown, Del. A pure left tackle who is a proficient pass blocker, explodes off the ball. Picked Clemson over BYU, Virginia, Maryland, Utah and Boise State. Is a member of Church of Latter Day Saints, but is unsure on taking a two-year Mormon mission. If so, it would likely be after college.

Josh Watson, DT, 6-3, 285, Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy Rated by Rivals.com as the No.1 defensive prospect in prep school ranks, picked Clemson over Boston College, Duke, Florida State and North Carolina, among others. Considered a “four star” prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Has already enrolled at Clemson and will go through spring practice with the Tigers.

Reid Webster, OT, 6-5, 270, Woodstock, Ga. Athletic, tough prospect who picked Clemson over a number of offers including Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Ole Miss and N.C. State. Rated as No.46 OT prospect by Rivals.com and No.62 by Scout.com.