DT Clinkscales commits to Nebraska
Nebraska has been in the market for an impact junior college defensive tackle for the past two recruiting cycles and they finally landed their guy in Dodge City (Kan.) C.C. standout Terrell Clinkscales.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Clinkscales is considered one of the top junior college prospects at his position and holds well over 20 offers to his name. He went public with his announcement this evening, but tells HuskerOnline.com his decision should come as no surprise to the Husker coaching staff.
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"I'm committed to Nebraska," Clinkscales said. "Actually, during my visit Coach Bo (Pelini) and I sat down and talked and I told him when we sat down that I will be committing. He was excited about it and he walked out of the door and was yelling to everybody, 'he's coming, he's coming here'. It was exciting."
Clinkscales has made it known that Nebraska has been his "dream school" and former Husker defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is a player he holds in high regard. He also speaks highly of his relationship with NU defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski.
Those factors, plus the overall feeling he had while on his visit contributed to his commitment.
"It was a big factor," Clinkscales said about his affinity for the Huskers and Suh. "I feel like they develop great d-linemen. Plus with Coach Rick (Kaczenski) and the way he coaches those guys up I know he can get me where I need to be.
"I pretty much came down to the decision on my visit. I knew where I wanted to be anyway, but it was kind of like 'this is where I needed to be'. It was the best spot for me."
Now that Clinkscales has committed, he says he is shutting his recruitment down despite receiving recent offers from programs like Ohio State and Alabama. He'll now focus on graduating in May and recruiting other player to join him at Nebraska.
"My recruitment is done. No more visits for me, " Clinkscales said. "I'm most definitely going to recruit some (players) to join me. We definitely need Joe Keels, the d-end from Highland Community College. We could use him and we could definitely use the d-end I was with on my visit. His name is Darius Slade.
"I'm definitely going to be going after some guys and talk to them. They respect me and respect the conversations that we've had, I just hope they take what I say and think about it a little bit. At the end of the day they still have to make their own decision."
Clinkscales said everything has worked out about as well as he could have dreamed and he had a message for the Nebraska fans.
"I'm going to be the best 'me' that I can be," Clinkscales said. "Don't expect me to be the next Suh. I'm just going to be the best Terrell Clinkscales I can be and if it's anything like Suh that's great. I'm going to be best me and perform (for the fans). They will love me."
