Clemons of SHS receiving interest
While the book closed on the 2017 signing class for Mississippi State in February, the Bulldog coaches had no time to rest.
February also saw MSU host the first of a couple of Junior Day events bringing in some of the top prospects on their recruiting board in the next two classes. Several of those invited were from right up the road at Starkville High where the talented Yellowjacket team boasts one of the most impressive 2019 classes in the state.
Defensive lineman Jalil Clemons was one of those invitees and is already an impressive 6-3, 240-pounder playing defensive end last year as a sophomore. Clemons was excited to get the Southeastern Conference experience last month with his teammates.
“We went into the locker rooms and I got to talk to the defensive line coach (Brian Baker),” Clemons said of his visit. “I like his attitude and mindset. I like MSU's graduation system as well and how almost all of their players get a degree. We went through the weight room and they had a nice looking weight room and training facility.”
Playing on one of the state's best defenses, Clemons was one of the Jackets' best linemen. His first year of high school ball saw him produce 50 tackles, 31 of the solo variety, and three sacks. He even showed his athleticism with a 32-yard reception offensively.
While he wouldn't mind catching a pass or two, his future is on the defensive line and that's where the focus is for Bulldog coaches. Baker helped him understand a little bit about what MSU likes to do with their linemen.
“I like the way that he talks about how they attack the quarterback,” Clemons said. “They strip sack and work on it in practice all the time. In drills, they don't just hit, they strip the ball. He rotates all the defensive linemen at different spots. I like how they moved (A.J. Jefferson) around and that's how I want to be used.”
It's still very early for Clemons and his recruitment, but he's high on MSU. He admits that State wasn't his top team as a kid, but he did pull for the Bulldogs and has been watching them most of his life.
Now that there are two former Jackets wearing maroon with Kobe Jones and Willie Gay, there's even more interest there.
“I didn't grow up a State fan," Clemons said. "I grew up an LSU fan, but I grew up liking (MSU) a little bit. I saw Willie go there and I loved that. It was good to have all of my teammates there together this weekend and we've all talked about wanting to play with Willie now that he's there.”
Clemons is looking forward to the camp circuit in the summer but also Starkville's spring football coming up soon. He plans to have coaches from several different schools watching in the spring, including LSU and MSU, who have already expressed interest.