Clemson swoops in with late, long-awaited offer for in-state back

First Baptist running back Michel Dukes got what he was looking for on his official visit to Clemson last weekend. It wasn’t a jersey. And it wasn’t a meal. It was an offer from the Tigers. Clemson foresees a need at the running back position and Tiger running backs coach Tony Elliott, a James Island native, has long had his eyes on Dukes.

“He said it went great,” First Baptist coach John Waters said of Dukes visit to Clemson. “He didn’t give a commitment yet. Coach Swinney told him to think about it and go from there. He said it was great. He went to coach Swinney’s house and all that.”

Waters said right now he’s not sure what Dukes is thinking about his future.

“I don’t have an answer or any insight,” he said. “He was honored to get it but I don’t know where his head is at.”

Dukes also has taken official visits to East Carolina and Syracuse and his coach said he’s not sure if he’ll take any more. Waters said the Orange called about him again on Monday. Coach Dino Babers had an in home visit last week and Syracuse is sending a recruiter back down next week. Appalachian State and Elliott also were in last week. Waters said he had not heard from Elliott about a possible visit this week.