Clemson Brings 5-Star IMG Academy LB Rahshaun Smith Back into the Fold

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

What was once old was made new again when 5-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith verbally committed to the Clemson Tigers for a second time on Saturday.

The IMG Academy standout took the opportunity in front of a national stage during the Under Armour All-American Game to commit to the Tigers. The 6’3”, 235 pound, middle linebacker backed off his commitment taking official visits to Oregon (Sept. 25), LSU (Oct. 17), Auburn (Nov. 14), and Maryland (Dec. 4). In between the other visits, Smith took unofficial trips to see the Tigers on Nov. 7 and Dec. 11 keeping the South Carolina powerhouse in the mix all along.

Smith earned second team USA Today All-American honors after leading a stacked Ascenders squad in tackles in 2015. Smith tallied 89 stops with eight tackles for a loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles in eight games played.

If recruiting rankings turn into success on the field, the Tigers will be nasty on defense for years to come. Head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have landed 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, 4-star defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney, 4-star defensive end Xavier Kelly, 4-star linebacker Tre Lamar, and Smith. The offense is looking sharp to with 4-star recruits Zerrick Cooper at quarterback, Tavien Feaster at running back, and T.J. Chase and Cornell Powell at wide receiver.

Clemson 2016 Verbal Commitment List (15)

LB Tre Lamar 6’3”, 240 lbs, Roswell HS, Roswell, GA

LB Jamie Skalski, 6’0”, 230 lbs, Northgate HS, Newman, GA

LB Rahshaun Smith, 6’3”, 235 lbs, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

DE Xavier Kelly, 6’4”, 255 lbs, Wichita East HS, Wichita, KS

DT Dexter Lawrence, 6’5”, 330 lbs, Wake Forest HS, Wake Forest, NC

DT Nyle Pinckney, 6’3”, 290 lbs, Whale Branch HS, Seabrook, SC

CB Brian Dawkins Jr., Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union, VA

QB Zerrick Cooper, 6’4”, 205 lbs, Jonesboro HS, Jonesboro, GA

RB Tavien Feaster, 6’0”, 200 lbs, Spartanburg HS, Spartanburg, SC

OG Tremayne Anchrum, 6’3”, 268 lbs, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, GA

OT Sean Pollard, 6’5”, 290 lbs, Pinecrest HS, Southern Pines, NC

OT Chandler Reeves, 6’6”, 255 lbs, Eagle’s Landing, McDonough, GA

TE J.C. Chalk, 6’4”, 220 lbs, Argyle HS, Argyle, TX

WR Tavares Chase, 6’2”, 180 lbs, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

WR Cornell Powell, 6’1”, 180 lbs, J.H. Rose HS, Greenville, NC

 

Photo credit: nola.com; Rahshaun Smith during an Under Armour All-American Game practice.