College football recruiting roundup: Clemson makes an impression with win over Georgia

First, this video of a fight between Cullman and Walker High Schools shows just how intense high school football can get.

Hello? It's 12:01 AM

Sunday was the first day that 2015 recruits (current juniors) could be contacted by schools. Many recruits tweeted that schools like Miami and USC contacted them right as the clock struck midnight. This may seem a bit silly, but to some recruits, this matters quite a bit. It's funny how some things can influence high schoolers.

Tim Settle, of Manassas (Va.) added a USC offer Sunday around midnight, as did Christian Kirk, a top 2015 receiver.

Ohio State sent out offers to top recruits after midnight, as well, including Chuma Edoga, a top offensive lineman. Land Grant Holy Land, the best Ohio State site on the web, has a full rundown of the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts.

Wisconsin offered Mike Weber, a top 2015 running back recruit out of Detroit's Cass Tech. Wisconsin is certainly a top offense for running back recruits. The Badgers also offered 2015 offensive tackle Martez Ivy, of Apopka (Fla.). Speaking of offensive linemen, the Badgers offered Frank Ragnow, an excellent 2014 offensive line recruit from Minnesota.

New recruits

The big commitment over the weekend was Payton Newell, a four-star defensive lineman who chose Nebraska. The Huskers need defensive line help in the worst way. Corn Nation has more on the big news.

On campus

Washington trounced Boise State to open its new stadium, and four-star running back Demario Richard was in attendance. That can't hurt the Huskies' chances to land him. Still, the Palmdale (Calif.) produce might be a difficult pull from Arizona State.

Clemson had a huge group of players in attendance:

Gonna be biggest recruiting weekend at Death Valley perhaps ever w/josh malone, Mitch Hyatt, Shy Tuttle, Andrew Williams, Raekwon McMillan
— QuackingTiger (@QuackingTiger) August 30, 2013

UCLA crushed Nevada with Josh Rosen, one of the top 2015 quarterback recruits nationally, in attendance.

While not technically on campus, top guard Braden Smith, of Kansas, was in Arlington to take in TCU's loss to LSU. TCU continues to gain momentum in Smith's recruitment. Five-star 2015 defensive tackle recruit Daylon Mack, of Texas, was also there to check out the game.

There was uncertainty as to whether Darius West, a four-star Kentucky commitment, would visit Michigan State. It turns out that he did indeed make that visit to see Michigan State beat Central Michigan. Meanwhile, Kentucky lost to Western Kentucky. Could West be wavering? It's too early to tell. But visiting Michigan State is a big deal. The Lima (OH) product also has strong interest in Notre Dame. He may end up sticking with Kentucky, but it's clear his recruitment is not over.

Most everyone expects massive Arkansas nose guard Josh Frazier to stay in state and play for the Razorbacks, and the big man was again in Fayetteville checking out Brett Bielema's squad Saturday.

Experience matters more than results

Fans tend to freak out and overreact when their team loses a game in embarrassing fashion. But for the most part, recruits do not care all that much about individual game results. A shocking number don't even watch the games. The experience at the game, however, can matter to a recruit and his family. It's important for the player to get a good vibe from the game.

And nowhere did a better vibe exist this weekend than Clemson, South Carolina. Beating Georgia is big, but the crowd was incredible and the game was exciting. Dabo Swinney can now tell recruits that the Tigers defeated top-10 SEC schools in back-to-back games.

And, if the coaching staff is new(ish), it can spin the loss into the opportunity for early playing time for new recruits. This is particularly true for Mark Stoops at Kentucky and Willie Taggart at USF.