With 2011 class signed, Brad Brownell turns attention to 2012 recruiting

Brad Brownell and his staff got their 2012 recruiting effort to a strong start back in February when Jaron Blossomgame, a 6-7 forward from Alpharetta, GA, committed to the Tigers.

Now, with a five-man 2011 class signed and in the fold, Clemson’s effort to sign a complementary class of four or five players for its 2012 class is picking up steam.

The coaching staff has extended offers to players in all five position areas, with much of the attention focused on prospects from the South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina area.

Brownell and his staff have targeted two top in-state players – point guard Jordan Roper from Irmo, SC, and post forward Brice Johnson of Cordova, SC.

The 6-9 Johnson was honored as South Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year after a junior season in which he averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks per game for Edisto High School. He also plays for the Carolina Ravens AAU team.

Other contenders for Johnson include Florida and South Carolina.

Roper, a 6-1 lefthanded point guard, averaged 20 points per game while leading Irmo to a 27-3 record and the state 4-A championship. He’s also being recruited by Virginia Commonwealth.

At the point guard position, the Tigers also have interest in Carlton ‘C.J.’ Ford of Fayetteville, NC, who is also receiving attention from Miami.

Clemson is recruiting numerous Georgia high school players, including 6-2 guard Kenny Gaines from Mableton, 6-7 forward Charles Mitchell from Marietta, 6-8 Justin Tuoyo from Hampton, 6-7 Brandon Morris from Lithonia, and 6-8 Robert Carter from Thomasville.

Out of North Carolina, Clemson is in the mix with guards Torian Graham from Durham, Montay Brandon from High Point, Reggie Dillard from Greensboro, Shawn Lester from Mooresville.

Clemson recently offered 6-7 forward Jermai Grant of Hyattsville, MD. He’s the younger brother of Tiger senior Jerai Grant.

At the post position, Clemson is going up against Florida State, Miami and Boston College, among others, for 6-10 Joel James from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and is also recruiting 6-10 Richard Peters from Phoenix, AZ.

In Blossomgame, the Tigers have a commitment from a player who was recently ranked No. 29 on a combined list of 2011, 2012 and 2013 wing forwards by The ACC Sports Journal’s Brick Oettinger.

ESPN describes Blossomgame, who averaged 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game as a junior at Chattahoochee High, as “a face-up 4-man that is a high level athlete that can score around the basket by utilizing his quickness off the floor. He is also an outstanding offensive rebounder that reloads and explodes off the floor with his second and third jumps faster than his competition. He is a difficult match-up at the 4-spot because not only can he score around the paint, but he can knock down open 3-balls as well…

“If Blossomgame grows a couple of inches and can pack on 15-20 more pounds, he becomes a nightmare to match-up with and an absolute steal for Clemson. If he doesn't, he may be able to evolve into more of a combo-forward that plays more on the perimeter as a wing.”

Three Clemson Signees On Top 247 List: Three members of Clemson’s five–man 2011 recruiting class have been named to 247 Sports’ national top-247 list.

Bernard Sullivan, a 6-8 forward from Charlotte, is ranked No. 115, while wing Kevin McDaniels and guard T.J. Sapp were listed No. 206 and 210, respectively.

Twenty one ACC signees are on the list, topped by Duke’s No. 3 Austin Rivers, UNC’s No. 8 James McAdoo and No. 12 P.J. Hairston, and Virginia Tech’s No. 18 Dorian Finney-Smith.

Others include Duke’s Mike Gbinije (24), Quinn Cook (32) and Marshall Plumlee (77); Georgia Tech’s Julian Royal (68); Florida State’s Antwan Space (72) and Terry Whisnant (79); Virginia Tech’s Marquis Rankin (78) and C.J. Barksdale (121); Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon (86) and Paul Jesperson (138); UNC’s Desmond Hubert (96); Maryland’s Martin Breunig (131); Miami’s Bishop Daniels (181); and Wake Forest’s Chase Fischer (223).

Tigers Miss On Targets: Clemson missed out on several 2012 recruiting targets who have committed elsewhere over the past several weeks.

Charlotte, NC point guard Braxton Ogbueze committed to Florida. He is the son of former Clemson soccer star Godwin Ogbueze.

Evan Nolte, a 6-8 forward from Alpharetta, GA, committed to Virginia, while Montrezl Harrell, a 6-7 forward from Tarboro, NC, committed to Virginia Tech.