Clemson has received a commitment from 2-star defensive back Brian Dawkins, Jr., who is the son of legendary DB Brian Dawkins.
Dawkins, Sr. had an outstanding college and pro career with Clemson and later the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2013 the school established the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award to honor one former Clemson player each year for their play on the field and contributions to the community.
Dawkins didn't retire until 2011 and was an All-Pro as recently as 2009. Now his son is about to be playing college football — well, he'll be on the team — so I'm starting to feel old.
As for Dawkins, Jr. and what he could do for Clemson, it doesn't seem likely that he's any kind of impact player or even a guy likely to see playing time. He's listed between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9, and probably closer to that first number. He doesn't have elite speed or any wild athleticism that would really negate his smaller size and make him a player for a major college football player. He didn't have any other offers from FBS programs, so this is 100% a sentimental scholarship offer from Dabo Swinney (aka a "5-heart" offer).
Dawkins, Jr. won't be alone on the Clemson roster as a player that's there for something other than purely football reasons. The Tigers will have four others — J.D. Davis, Judah Davis, Amir Trapp, and D.J. Greenlee — on scholarship in 2016 that, if just judged off of football skill, don't really fit the bill of who would be playing at Clemson. Dabo's one of the nation's top recruiters, so maybe this is just part of playing the game, but it seems like having five scholarships held by players that aren't expected to contribute is a lot.
