2003 Signing Day Central

Feb. 5, 2003

2003 Signees

Player Position Hometown 7:12 AMBrandon Pilgrim OL Lilburn, GA 7:43 AM Chris Jefferson WRMorganton, NC 7:58 AM Brandon Nolen RB Old Bridge, NJ 8:34 AM JadDean K Greenwood, SC 8:35 AM C.J. Gaddis QB Raeford, NC 8:37 AMChristian Capote OL Miami, FL 8:38 AM Clint LaTray OL Allen, TX8:45 AM Maurice Nelson LB Sumter, SC 8:47 AM Marion Dukes OL Pickens, SC 9:16AM Robert Reese DB Temple, GA 9:32 AM Zach Green TE Conyers, GA9:38 AM Chris McDuffie OL Danville, VA 10:06 AM Brian Staley DBAiken, SC 10:18 AM Tramaine Billie RB Columbia, SC 10:26 AM KwamWilliams DE Atlanta, GA 10:34 AM Sergio Gilliam DB Greer, SC 10:57AM Nick Watkins LB New Orleans, LA 2003 Football Signing DayPress Conference Media Player Download the Free Real Player.Tommy Bowden(20:43) Download the Free Real Player.RickStockstill(6:14)

Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden Signing Day Press Conference Quotes

Overall impressions of the 2003 signees: “I thought it was a very solid class. We got a quarterback out of North Carolina (C.J. Gaddis) who committed to us early. At running back, we got Tramaine Billie and Branden Nolen. We wanted five offensive linemen and got four. It was really solid from top to bottom. We could’ve used one more defensive lineman. “

On the possibility of impact players emerging next year: “I try not to look too far ahead. We thought last year that Justin Miller might contribute, but I don’t think I made any bold statements at this time last year about his potential. There will be one or two who surprise, because it seems like there always is. However, you’d like to get your program to the stage where none of them have to play right away.”

On the availability of scholarships: “I believe we have 21 scholarships open. We’ve signed 17 and then we’re planning on giving scholarships to Tommy Sharpe and Geoff Rigsby, two former walk-ons who played a great deal this past year. Those two guys takes us up to 19 filled scholarships. We also want to give one to Tony Elliott.

” It looks like the state of South Carolina is going to have a pretty significant crop of prospects next year, almost like the class from two years ago. So you can offer scholarships to walk-ons and then get that number back next year.”

On the possibility of red-shirting the class: “I would like to red-shirt everybody. I really feel like you can get your program more stable that way. Two years ago, we played 14 total freshmen (including red-shirts). Last year, Justin Miller was the only one (first-year freshman) to play. We’ll go into the season trying to do that.”

On JUCO cornerback Brian Staley: “We lost a really productive player in Brian Mance. We have to find a quality replacement as soon as we can because we open up at home here with Georgia right off the bat. We’ll compete with who we’ve got in the spring, and somebody will nail down the other cornerback spot. Then we’ll bring him in to see if he can beat those guys out. He’s got some good experience against quality competition. He comes from a really good program that’s been successful. He’ll be prepared and mature enough to come in and compete for a position early.”

On Crestwood signee Maurice Nelson: “He’s in between that glorified safety and whip linebacker position. He played several positions in high school. He’s a real active player who made a lot of tackles. Having his brother Roosevelt here will give him a good idea of the intensity that is required. With the loss of Eric Sampson and Ronny Delusme being hurt, there will be some opportunities for playing time there.”

Position Changes once Spring Practice Starts “We are going to move Tye Hill to a cornerback position and Gerald McCloud to a safety position. We saw Gerald in our camp as a defensive player and we were impressed. Tye has the speed and quickness to help us in the secondary. We will see how he does in the spring. He will also compete for our track team this spring.

Defensive Coaching Assignments for 2003 “David Blackwell will coach the linebackers. Jack Hines will coach the Whip and roverback positions. John Lovett will coach the secondary and Thielen Smith will coach the down linemen.