CLEMSON RECRUITING

State's top tight end prospect looking at Gamecocks and Tigers
Skinner says he will take his time with the recruiting process.

State's top tight end prospect looking at Gamecocks and Tigers


by - Senior Writer -

One of the state’s top prospects for the 2022 recruiting cycle is taking his time with the decision process, and both in-state schools are firmly in the mix.

Jaleel Skinner (6-5 200) of Greer (SC) is listed as the top tight end in the state of South Carolina and the second overall prospect in the state by 247Sports. Skinner was going to identify his shortlist of schools this week, but after consulting his family, and hearing from several new programs, Skinner decided to hold off on that for now.

Why? He wants to get a little better read on the academic side of things with some programs. He also wants to make sure he’s got the right schools who have the right position status for him in mind.

“I wanted to wait a little longer to look more into it and build some more relationships with these coaches,” Skinner said. “I would like to make a decision going into the football season. But there’s no problem with me waiting a little longer.”

South Carolina and Clemson are among the offers for Skinner. The Gamecocks were on him during the Will Muschamp administration. New coach Shane Beamer and new receivers coach Justin Stepp will be picking up on his recruiting for the Gamecocks.

“I want to further build a relationship with them guys,” Skinner said. “I see they hired coach Stepp from Arkansas. He recruited me at Arkansas. I feel like he’s a great add on for the Gamecocks. I haven’t heard from him but I really hope to hear from him soon.”

Clemson has been a constant as well with tight ends coach Danny Pearman laying out the campaign for Skinner.

“I’ve been hearing a little from coach Pearman,” Skinner said. “They took a tough loss. It happens to the best of us. He’s telling there’s no better place than home. Clemson is right down the road. He’s telling me I couldn’t do any better, because they are one of the top teams in the nation every year.”

A key recruiting point with Skinner is his positioning on the line. He views himself primarily as a wide out, but knows some schools seem him as a tight end. That’s OK, too, but he doesn’t want his receiving skills to be sacrificed for blocking. He’s in line with what Pearman has told him.

“They are telling me if I get there, I’d be more of a flex tight end,” Skinner said. “I’ll get to play out wide a little more. Like a Kyle Pitts.”

Along with Clemson and South Carolina, Skinner cited Miami, Florida, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Tennessee as some of the other programs making a strong showing with him at this point. He also has offers from Georgia Tech, Coastal Carolina, Auburn, Arkansas, Penn State, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Duke and Arizona State.

This past season Skinner had 400 receiving yards and scored 6 touchdowns.

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