Clemson looking at Lexington pass-catcher

Clemson is known for its high-profile recruiting, but the Tigers pride themselves on finding that under-recruited prospect and developing him into a player. One of those the Tigers are keeping in touch with not in the galaxy of so called four- and five-star recruits is wide receiver Jayson Hopper of Lexington.

Hopper has offers from Appalachian State, Presbyterian, Charleston Southern, Newberry and Gardner-Webb. Clemson has also been expressing various amounts of interest. He is a Clemson supporter and went there as a fan for the Appalachian State game. However, he's been invited as a recruit for the Notre Dame and Florida State games and will attend those.

"They are telling me just to wait it out and be patient with everything," Hopper said. "If it happens (an offer), it happens. They're trying to make it happen but it's all about the numbers right now." '

Hopper is talking with Clemson recruiters Jeff Scott, the Tigers’ wide receivers coach, and Brent Venables.

"Just that I'm physical and I have the fight in me that a lot of those five-stars and big players don't have," Hopper said. "Normally they go out and get at least one receiver who is really hard working and, not like a five-star recruit but who is willing to work hard. This year I'm that guy but we've just got to see if it works out."

Hopper said the Tigers have discussed with him being a preferred walk-on and that he would play when he got there.

"As of right now I don't think I would take a preferred walk-on over a scholarship," Hopper said, adding that of the schools that have offered he favors Charleston Southern where he's being recruited by former Clemson quarterback Willy Korn.

Hopper had 40 catches for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns going into last Friday's game.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Clemson looking at Lexington pass-catcher."