Feb. 5, 2003

2003 Signees

Time Signed	Player	Position	Hometown
7:12 AM	Brandon Pilgrim	OL	Lilburn, GA
7:43 AM	Chris Jefferson	WR	Morganton, NC
7:58 AM	Brandon Nolen	RB	Old Bridge, NJ
8:34 AM	Jad Dean	K	Greenwood, SC
8:35 AM	C.J. Gaddis	QB	Raeford, NC
8:37 AM	Christian Capote	OL	Miami, FL
8:38 AM	Clint LaTray	OL	Allen, TX
8:45 AM	Maurice Nelson	LB	Sumter, SC
8:47 AM	Marion Dukes	OL	Pickens, SC
9:16 AM	Robert Reese	DB	Temple, GA
9:32 AM	Zach Green	TE	Conyers, GA
9:38 AM	Chris McDuffie	OL	Danville, VA
10:06 AM	Brian Staley	DB	Aiken, SC
10:18 AM	Tramaine Billie	RB	Columbia, SC
10:26 AM	Kwam Williams	DE	Atlanta, GA
10:34 AM	Sergio Gilliam	DB	Greer, SC
10:57 AM	Nick Watkins	LB	New Orleans, LA

2003 Football Signing Day Press Conference
Media Player
Download the Free Real Player.	Tommy Bowden (20:43)
Download the Free Real Player.	Rick Stockstill (6:14)

Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden
Signing Day Press Conference Quotes

Overall impressions of the 2003 signees:
"I thought it was a very solid class. We got a quarterback out of North Carolina (C.J. Gaddis) who committed to us early. At running back, we got Tramaine Billie and Branden Nolen. We wanted five offensive linemen and got four. It was really solid from top to bottom. We could've used one more defensive lineman. "

On the possibility of impact players emerging next year:
"I try not to look too far ahead. We thought last year that Justin Miller might contribute, but I don't think I made any bold statements at this time last year about his potential. There will be one or two who surprise, because it seems like there always is. However, you'd like to get your program to the stage where none of them have to play right away."

On the availability of scholarships:
"I believe we have 21 scholarships open. We've signed 17 and then we're planning on giving scholarships to Tommy Sharpe and Geoff Rigsby, two former walk-ons who played a great deal this past year. Those two guys takes us up to 19 filled scholarships. We also want to give one to Tony Elliott.

" It looks like the state of South Carolina is going to have a pretty significant crop of prospects next year, almost like the class from two years ago. So you can offer scholarships to walk-ons and then get that number back next year."

Tommy Bowden speaks to reporters on signing day

On the possibility of red-shirting the class:
"I would like to red-shirt everybody. I really feel like you can get your program more stable that way. Two years ago, we played 14 total freshmen (including red-shirts). Last year, Justin Miller was the only one (first-year freshman) to play. We'll go into the season trying to do that."

On JUCO cornerback Brian Staley:
"We lost a really productive player in Brian Mance. We have to find a quality replacement as soon as we can because we open up at home here with Georgia right off the bat. We'll compete with who we've got in the spring, and somebody will nail down the other cornerback spot. Then we'll bring him in to see if he can beat those guys out. He's got some good experience against quality competition. He comes from a really good program that's been successful. He'll be prepared and mature enough to come in and compete for a position early."

On Crestwood signee Maurice Nelson:
"He's in between that glorified safety and whip linebacker position. He played several positions in high school. He's a real active player who made a lot of tackles. Having his brother Roosevelt here will give him a good idea of the intensity that is required. With the loss of Eric Sampson and Ronny Delusme being hurt, there will be some opportunities for playing time there."

Position Changes once Spring Practice Starts
"We are going to move Tye Hill to a cornerback position and Gerald McCloud to a safety position. We saw Gerald in our camp as a defensive player and we were impressed. Tye has the speed and quickness to help us in the secondary. We will see how he does in the spring. He will also compete for our track team this spring.

Defensive Coaching Assignments for 2003
"David Blackwell will coach the linebackers. Jack Hines will coach the Whip and roverback positions. John Lovett will coach the secondary and Thielen Smith will coach the down linemen.