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by Phil Kornblut
Clemson has hit the state of Georgia again for another top prospect. Saturday afternoon LB Dee Crayton (6-2 215) of Alpharetta announced a commitment to the Tigers. He went with Clemson over Auburn, Missouri, Penn State and UCF. Crayton gives the Tigers two linebackers in the 2023 class, both from Georgia. Earlier in the Jamal Anderson of Hoschton announced his commitment.
The commitment culminates a long fascination with Clemson football by Crayton. He was first exposed to Dabo Swinney’s program as a youth attending summer camps. He liked what he saw then, and as he grew older, he grew to love the program to the point he wanted to join the effort.
“It’s just the culture they bring and the stability of the coaching staff,” Crayton said last month. “Everything is for the benefit of the players with the facilities as well.”
Crayton went to the Georgia Tech game last season, watched a practice in the spring and took an official visit earlier this month. He’s been in regular contact with new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Wes Goodwin and likes what he is doing with his position.
“Just the way that they get after the quarterback,” Crayton said. “They do a lot of blitzing as well as the linebacker position being able to play in space by covering tight ends. Just their attacking mentality and their relentless pursuit of the ball.”
Crayton added that Goodwin seems him as an excellent fit for his defense and likes what he can bring to the position.
“My athleticism, my play recognition, my speed, my ability to play sideline to sideline, my versatility to play in space and play pass coverage,” Crayton said. “My blitzing skills, me timing the blitz from different parts of the line from the A gap to the C gap, both inside and outside. Being a leader with my actions and vocally. That’s a big thing I pride myself on, being a leader of the defense. That’s a few things that he’s mentioned.”
Crayton last season totaled 91 tackles with 4 sacks in 10 games according to MaxPreps. He gives Clemson 12 commitments for the 2023 class with five of them from Georgia. The next scheduled commitment announcement for a Clemson target is DT Stephiylan Green of Rome, GA on June 22nd.
