For Carter Jones, all it took was one visit to Clemson.
The 2027 offensive lineman (Poquoson,VA) attended camp last summer, before returning for the Tigers’ blowout win over App State on Saturday night. It was one of the the first game day visits as a recruit for Jones, and it was one that left a lasting impression. However, the 6-foot-6, 280-pound prospect had already fallen in love with the program during that first trip to campus back during the summer.
“I went to Clemson and I went to their camp, not really expecting anything,” Jones told The Clemson Insider. “First time I ever visited there. Then they kind of showed me and a few other recruits around the facilities. That’s
when I fell in love with the place. Ever since that I really like them and they became my dream school. Whenever they invited me back for a game day visit I was so excited.”
Jones is still extremely early in the recruiting process but he already knows the environment inside of a sold out Death Valley is going to be hard to top.
“I’ve never been to one like that,” Jones said. “Clemson had such an electric atmosphere. It was just different than anywhere else. Sold out, people everywhere. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Jones plays both ways in high school, and on the offensive side has played both guard and tackle. Being an offensive lineman, he paid particularly close attention to how the Tigers played up front and he came away overly impressed with one of Clemson’s veteran tackles.
“The entire offensive line played incredibly,” Jones added. “But someone that stood out to me was left tackle Tristan Leigh. He was something else.”
Virginia, West Virginia and Syracuse are other Power-4 schools Jones has been hearing from. Delaware, William and Mary, Liberty and Old Dominion have all offered already.
Clemson won’t even start handing out offers to players in his class until next summer but that isn’t something Jones is overly concerned with. He understands the process. Securing that offer is the ultimate goal, no matter when it comes.
“That doesn’t make much difference to me, because Clemson is my goal,” Jones said. “They just want to see like how your character develops and how you like project as an athlete to make sure you’re also not an academic risk. I told them I have a 3.9 GPA so I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Other things that stood out to him and his family on the visit were the PAW Journey program and the focus that is put on development. He believes the staff at Clemson would not only develop him as a player, but also as a man.
For those reasons, Jones will continue putting in the work, hoping that at some point, that offer from the Tigers will come.
“It would mean the world to me,” Jones said. “Their PAW Journey program. My mom got to talk to their one of their directors, and that was a great connection, because they’re getting their athletes jobs before they get out of college. They’re going to develop me as a man while there. And I know they’re just all great people. I got to experience that in the locker room (Saturday) night.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
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