By Hale McGranahan.
With the official announcement that Chad Morris was hired as the head coach at SMU, TheClemsonInsider checked to see what kind of impact it would have on the recruiting trail.
TCI asked the Clemson commitments if it would affect their pledge and the non-commitments if it would change their view of the Tigers.
Here’s what they said:
Commitments
2015 WR Ray Ray McCloud – Tampa, Fla.
“Not at all. They have great coaches and I think it will be the same for me.”
2015 QB Tucker Israel – Orlando, Fla.
“Well it was known that he was one of the best offensive coordinators in the country, so it was a matter of time for him to go. I really like coach Morris. I will continue to stay in touch with him and wish him nothing but the best, but I’m 100 percent committed to Clemson and I’m not leaving or searching for anything else. Coach Swinney told me this would happen and assured me he wasn’t going to change the offense, so I shouldn’t worry about him hiring an offensive coordinator that runs the Wing-T.”
2016 QB Zerrick Cooper – Jonesboro, Ga.
“No, it doesn’t.”
2016 TE J.C. Chalk – Argyle, Texas
“If he feels like he is making the right decision and doing what is best for him and his family, I totally understand that and it has no impact on my commitment. I am still all in with Clemson.”
Targets
2016 RB Tavien Feaster – Spartanburg
“Coach Morris plays a very important role at Clemson, making and calling the plays. I have another year to see what it’s like without him. And, if they are successful, it shouldn’t change a thing.”
2016 OL John Simpson – North Charleston
“Coach leaving really doesn’t change anything for me. I heard that everything will remain the same.”
2016 WR Cornell Powell – Greenville, N.C.
“Him leaving is a huge loss because he’s a great coach. It shouldn’t affect my interest in Clemson as long as the offense doesn’t change, but we will see how it goes next year.”
2016 OL Sean Pollard – Southern Pines, N.C.
“With coach Morris, I think it’s a great opportunity. For him, he’s a very religious guy, so I’m pretty sure he’s been praying on it and that’s what God told him to do. And, no, it doesn’t really affect anything.”
2016 OL Parker Bourdreaux – Orlando, Fla.
“Wish him the best. Shouldn’t change much as long as coach Dabo (Swinney) and coach (Robbie) Caldwell are there.”
2018 QB Dakereon Joyner – North Charleston
“That doesn’t change my thoughts at all. I like Clemson because of the academic program.”
