19 Freshmen Football Players Report To Clemson

Aug. 7, 2000

Clemson, SC — Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden welcomed 19 freshmen football players to campus on Sunday evening. The 11 scholarship and eight walk-on players will begin practice on Monday morning at 10:00 AM.

The group of rookies will practice twice on Monday and twice on Tuesday. They will take part in orientation meetings with Clemson administrators on Wednesday and Thursday. Clemson veterans report on August 9th with the first day of full practice scheduled for August 11. Clemson opens its season September 2 against The Citadel.

“I am anxious to see them in practice on Monday,” said Bowden, who is beginning his second year as Clemson Head Coach. “I just watched them eat dinner and they are good eaters. I hope they are good football players. They look like a good group. We certainly have some playing opportunities for this class, especially areas where we need depth.”

Bowden said a few of the players would miss the first morning workout because they have finals in summer school classes, but all 19 players should be available for the afternoon workout.

The 11 scholarship players who reported to Clemson were Brian Carr (QB, Conyers, GA), Ronny Delusme (DB, Naples, FL), Derrick Hamilton (WR and kick returner, Dillon, SC), Ryan Hemby (DB, Orangeburg, SC), Terrance Huey (RB, Marietta, GA), Aaron Hunt (PK, Oak Ridge, TN), Cedric Johnson (OL, Barwick, GA), Keith Kelly (RB, Walterboro, SC), John Leake (LB, Plano, TX), Ronnie Thomas (WR, Quincy, FL) and Donnell Washington (DL, Beaufort, SC).

Todd McClinton, a tight end from Columbia, SC and C.A. Johnson High School, who signed with Clemson in February did not report on Sunday. “Todd has not yet completed requirements for admission to Clemson. We are optimistic he will be here later this month,” said Bowden.

The eight walk-ons who reported were Fletcher Anderson, Rusty Curry, Nick DePrimio, Josh Eargle, Geoff Rigsby, Tommy Sharpe, Donald Taylor and Derek Weathers.