'11 FL OLB/DE Clay Burton (Florida Verbal)

[BGIF]

Strongside Defensive End
Venice, FL Venice HS

Ht: 6-3
Wt: 230
40: 4.8
Bench: 325
Squat: 400
GPA: 4.0

RANKING
Rivals: , NR SDE, Rating 5.6
Scout: , #41 DE
ESPN: , #22 DE, Grade 79

OFFERS
UF

Notre Dame
Boston College
Cinncinati
Clemson
Duke
FSU
Georgia Tech
LSU
Mississippi
Pitt
Purdue
Rutgers
Stanford
Tennessee
USF
West Virginia
FIU

ND RECRUITER: Tony Alford

DECISION: 10/25/10 UF

 

[BGIF]

Has a brother, Trey a QB, that signed 2 weeks ago with the Gators. He's been to Gainsville about a dozen times but as of yet hasn't got a UF offer.

Clemson appears to be his leader.

 

[ryno 24]

Why are we even going after this guy Can someone please tell me that we want the big guns

 

[IHateMarkMay]

He hasn't even been rated yet, how can you say he isn't good or not a "big gun"?

 

[WabashFalcon]

Dude... c'mon. 4/5ths of the next class hasn't even been evaluated yet. Could become the next Zibby... or Tate.

 

[BGIF]

Attended Clemson's Jr Day Saturday.

 

[BGIF]

Impressed with ND offer. As of now plans on official visits to Clemson and ND. If UF offers it's probably no contest as he would get to play with his brother again.

 

[Tate the Great]

Will visit ND for junior day according to rivals

 

[ryno 24]

sorry I hadnt seen his film yet he seems very talented on film the one star was misleading

 

[Tate the Great]

sorry I hadnt seen his film yet he seems very talented on film the one star was misleading

Every recruit is automatically given a star - just for making a profile. There still hasn't been an evaluation for Clay so the star factor doesn't mean a thing. You will have a better idea of his talent throughout year as offers roll in and he is done being evaluated by the major recruiting services.

 

[ryno 24]

oh okay do we know who his favorites are yet

 

[NDinL.A.]

oh okay do we know who his favorites are yet

He says ND is his slight leader right now, with Clemson not far behind. However, he is very close to his brother, and would love to get a chance to play with him again, and his brother is at FL. It seems evident from all his quotes that if FL offers, then he'll be a Gator...

 

[BGIF]

Added offers from GT and WVU.

 

[BGIF]

Picked up an offer from Tennessee this week. ND staying in touch. Clemson still leads. No offers from UF, FSU, nor MIA.

 

[TerryTate]

Visiting this Thursday per Rivals

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Should be on campus tonight

 

[WabashFalcon]

Should be on campus tonight

You always make me so freaking excited Polish.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

You always make me so freaking excited Polish.

Well don't get to excited, ND has to gain some ground on Clemson here.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Per ISD, Clay said he had a perfect 3 day visit and has moved ND to the top of his list.

 

[BearGB]

Per ISD, Clay said he had a perfect 3 day visit and has moved ND to the top of his list.

Wow!! He would be a great get! Btw, I checked and I am pretty sure the weather was pretty damn good for his visit as well, which is never a bad thing!

 

[BGIF]

Update

Update

RANKING
Rivals: NR SDE
Scout: , #43 DE
ESPN: , #22 DE, Grade 79

Rivals has not ranked nor rated Burton although they have 50 other Strongside DEs. Perhaps they're waiting for a UF offer.

 

[TerryTate]

Would be great to have another big DL commit. Any idea if Florida is interested?

 

[NDinL.A.]

Would be great to have another big DL commit. Any idea if Florida is interested?

They're talking to him, but haven't offered him yet. Don't put it past Meyer to offer him just as he's about to commit or even right after he commits. He's slime...

 

[TerryTate]

Per Rivals

“I definitely fit in, which was really important,” Burton said. “There’s an ‘it factor’ there with the school, the current players. I just fit in. It was a good experience.”

Burton spent most of his time with Manti Te'o and Roby Toma, along with Florida product Ian Williams. Considering Burton has so many options closer to home (offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Tennessee) he appreciated the chance to mix with some other athletes who decided that distance from home wouldn't be a hurdle in making a decision on their college careers.

“That was critical,” Burton said. “I figure if these guys from Hawaii can handle the cold, I can definitely do it.”

“It was a combination of everything, the education, the football,” he said. “One thing that really sold me on it and really got my attention was going into the locker room and seeing my No. 8 jersey hanging there, then touching the Play Like A Champion Today sign, then walking out into the empty stadium, I was blown away. I know it’s kind of cliche, but you can feel the tradition all around you. I was speechless.”

 

[johnnykillz]

Click, click, BOOM!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Here's a lengthy article on Clay and his recruitment. Keep in mind, this was BEFORE his visit to ND in which he put us at the top. They also fail to mention that if FL offers, he would be hard-pressed to turn them down, as they offer a chance to play with his brother.

Clay Burton: Top DE-fense : Box of M.E.S.S.

 

[WabashFalcon]

I am assuming we are going to keep him with his hand on the ground?

 

[NDinL.A.]

I am assuming we are going to keep him with his hand on the ground?

yes

 

[BGIF]

Burton 'Blown Away" by Irish

Title of a current Pete Sampson article on IrishIllustrated

... Before Burton headed home, Notre Dame's players, coaches, locker room and even its empty stadium had made a lasting impression.

Is it a lasting sensation or just a moment's pleasure?

 

[yeahyeahIRISH]

Cool article, hope fl doesn't go after him