Ohio 2017 LB/RB Darien Clemons did not need a Three Day Wait to Commitment to Michigan State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
When the heart knows what the heart wants, it knows. Class of 2017 two-way star Darien Clemons was presented with an opportunity too good to pass up on Saturday but waited three days before officially capturing the moment – at least that was how everything looked from the outside into the situation.
Clemons jumped on recruiting boards throughout Big Ten and MAC country after a standout 2015 season for Piqua High School. The 6’0”, 213 pound, talent rushed for 1,164 yards with 24 touchdowns and filled in the stat sheet at outside linebacker. The stats for Clemons season at linebacker are not fully known but per MaxPreps he had 27 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and at least one fumble recovery through seven games but even that does not seem to be fully accurate for any seven game stretch for Clemons.
Regardless of how the stats shake out, the teams extending offers to the Ohio product included Rutgers, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State, Robert Morris, Ohio, Miami (OH), and Ball State. And one other very important school saw the talent – Michigan State.
Michigan State offered Clemons on Saturday, April 23, during an unofficial visit. Come to find out the Spartans could have had their target right then and there but the staff advised Clemons to think it over.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Clemons after his big announcement to get the inside scoop on how his commitment to Michigan State went down and covered a little bit of his offseason workouts.
Interview
Darien, first, congratulations on your commitment to Michigan State.
“Thank you.”
Before we get into how your commitment took place, I’d like to ask you a couple of questions about your season last year and get a clarification on a couple of things.
“Okay.”
You had a really good season on both sides of the ball. What are some of your strengths as an outside linebacker for Piqua?
“I feel like I play the ball well and break on it really well. I’m very good at open field tackles.”
Same question but at running back.
“I have good ball handles, I protect the ball well, run hard, and I do not go down easy. I also I like to score.”
Do you know your stat line on defense from your junior season?
“I do not.”
Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?
“I was first team All-Conference, Offensive Player of the Year for the North, and picked up my third-year letter.”
What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?
“Getting faster – bigger, faster, and stronger. I want to get better than I was last year.”
Do you have a weight gain goal for the offseason?
“No. I’m waiting until I get on campus and they can get me where they want me at then.”
Have you maxed out in any of the primary football lifts like bench, squat, or power clean this offseason?
“Yes. My bench is at 300, my squat is 425, my military press is 180, and my power clean is 265.”
Have you posted a 40-yard dash time this offseason?
“No. My previous best was a 4.51 at a Toledo camp. That is verified.”
I would believe you based off your reel regardless. You did a lot for the Indians last year, will we see you at other positions other than running back and linebacker next season?
“They might be putting me out on the No. 3 and at Wildcat (quarterback).”
Okay, time for the big questions. What influenced you to commit Michigan State on Tuesday?
“Really it was Coach D (Mark Dantonio – head coach) taking the time to talk to me. He looked at my film again, they wanted to see more. The staff made a new defensive highlight reel of my game tape. They watched it again over the week and offered. They have a good program and their education is up there. Michigan State is one of the best Big Ten teams out there.”
Who did you commit to and how did the commitment take place?
“I was ready to commit on Saturday when I got the offer. Coach D wanted me to think about it. Coach (Harlon) Barnett (co-defensive coordinator) wanted to see me in practice. He saw me run around in practice. I called Coach D and committed over the phone.”
What was Coach Dantonio’s reaction when you committed?
“He basically already knew I wanted to commit. He asked me if I was ready. He made sure I knew I was coming in as a linebacker. He said I could do some stuff at running back too. He was excited but he knew I was going to commit.”
That was one of my next questions. Other sites have you listed as committing to MSU as a running back. Now we have that clarified. When you committed, even though this was something you knew you wanted to do, at that moment how did you feel? Were you nervous, excited or –
“I was excited and nervous. It was pretty cool though.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?
“Yeah, I’m trying to get Danny Davis (4-star wide receiver Springfield, OH) to come up.”
Are there any others you are talking to right now or plan on talking to in the near future?
“No, not really. I don’t know that many other recruits. I know Rocky (Lombardi – quarterback), Hunter (Rison – wide receiver), (Kevin) Jarvis (offensive lineman), and Jack (Camper – tight end, and all 2017 Michigan State commits). Right now I’m just trying to get Danny Davis on board.”
How are you going to pitch Danny Davis or others to join you at MSU?
“Really, I’ll just tell them how we will win championships. Michigan State is the best program out there. I’ll tell them how I feel about Michigan State.”
Do you have another visit planned to East Lansing either during the spring or over the summer before the fall?
“I’m going to try to get to camp on June 18. Coach Barnett asked me to come to the camp. I’ll workout with them and get coached up.”
Excellent. Darien, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Michigan State.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Clemons family; Darien Clemons at Michigan State.
Photo credit: tdn-net.com; No. 44 Darien Clemons fights through a tackle for Piqua High School.