Clifton Garrett is one of the top linebacking prospects in the 2014 recruiting class. The 6'2, 228-pound outside linebacker has been a standout at Plainfield (Ill.) South High School and has drawn attention from almost every major program in the country.
Garrett is rated as a five-star prospect according to 247, and he is rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals, Scout and ESPN. He is the consensus top-rated player in the state of Illinois and is rated as either the second- or third-best outside linebacker prospect in the entire country. 247 has him rated as the 25th-best player in the 2014 class, and every major service has him at least in their top 60.
As of early May, Garrett has scholarship offers from essentially every major program in the country, including but not limited to Alabama, LSU, Florida, Ohio State, Ole Miss, USC, Arizona State, Arkansas, Clemson and Florida State.
Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Garrett is one of the top linebacker recruits in the class of 2014. He already has excellent size, and for his size, has very good athleticism.
Garrett is capable of controlling the middle of the field. He reacts quickly once he reads where the ball is headed and attacks downhill with purpose.
Garrett is very physical against blocks, though he can get too caught up in hitting blockers as opposed to quickly shedding some with his hands, which he can easily improve at the next level.
Garrett plays with good bend and really stays square to the line of scrimmage. He doesn't get juked easily, and quickly gets ball carriers on the ground.
In the passing game, he is probably better suited for zone coverage than man, due to his size.
Garrett should be able to step in and start, or at the very least avoid a redshirt, at whatever BCS program he chooses. He has a big frame in person, and I suspect he'll eventually be able to play at more than 240 pounds.
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