CLEMSON – A 160-mile stretch of Interstate 10 is one of Clemson’s most important corridors.

Clemson plucked DeAndre McDaniel out of Florida State’s backyard where McDaniel could hear Seminole crowds and I-10 traffic.

Kyle Parker hails from the route’s eastern origin in Jacksonville.

Take I-10 to Rt. 93 and travel 20 miles south and you’ll arrive at Lake Butler, the home of C.J. Spiller.

Before rising to head coach, Dabo Swinney was the Duke of North Florida.

Clemson divides Florida into five recruiting zones, and Swinney was responsible for making the Tallahassee to Jacksonville region the program’s richest recruiting ground. Swinney notes the prizes don’t stop with Spiller: “Jamie Harper, I-10; Daniel Andrews, I-10; Xavier Brewer, I-10; Rashard Hall, I-10.”

How many miles has Swinney logged in his former recruiting zone? “Many, many, many miles be-bopping down from Tallahassee to Jacksonville and back and fourth,” Swinney said. “I’ve been pulled over a couple times, too.”

Of the 16 Floridians on the Clemson roster, 11 are from north central and northeast Florida. The charismatic Swinney recruited 10 of them.

But by becoming head coach, Swinney is now a specialist with national reach when it comes to recruiting, and less in charge of scouring specific regions. Clemson didn’t have a Florida recruit amongst it 2009 signing class. The Tigers don’t have a Floridian committed for 2010.

While Swinney has confidence in Jeff Scott taking over the region, confidence bolstered by the program’s historical success there - formers stars Brian Dawkins, Patrick Sapp and Rod Gardner are from Jacksonville - Swinney acknowledges he had an influence.

“God blessed me with the ability to develop relationships with people from a lot of different backgrounds,” Swinney said. “I think my background helps me in that.”

Rivals.com rated Swinney as the fifth-best recruiter in the nation in 2006.

He ranked in top 25 of silver-tongued football salesman again in 2007.

Swinney signed 38 players in five recruiting seasons – roughly a third of Clemson signings - and played a key role in Clemson’s top-rated 2008 class.

What he called a “breakthrough” from developing relationships.

Of the 38, Spiller was the biggest catch – the only Rivals.com five-star recruit to leave the state for an ACC school outside of Florida.

Netting Spiller illustrates the former commercial real estate agent’s sales abilities - Bobby Bowden said he was “shocked” when Spiller went out of state - and why Clemson must supplement its roster with Florida talent.

Florida produces five times the number of FBS prospects compared to South Carolina, according to a Sports Illustrated study.

“As far as growing up, watching Clemson was never on my resume,” said Spiller, a Seminoles fan as a youth.

Swinney had Spiller agree to take a recruiting visit to Clemson by signing the back of a business card as a makeshift agreement, which Swinney still keeps in his office.

“Not really knowing me at the time, [Swinney] wanted to put it in some ink,”

Spiller said. “I guess he knew I was a man of my word. He signed it. I signed it. A couple of my teammates signed it.”

Spiller kept his word.

Swinney picked up Spiller at the Atlanta airport for his official visit.

“It’s a good little ride to Clemson from Atlanta,” Spiller said. “We were just talking … he can go all day long. The more you talk the more you learn about someone.”

Spiller said that’s when he “realized” he was Clemson bound.

Spiller said he could tell Swinney was “keeping it straight” during their conversation. Things Swinney promised “have so far taken place.”

“That’s why every game I have played my heart out,” Spiller said. “I want him to be considered for ACC Coach of the Year.”

Kyle Parker echoed Spiller.

Parker was convinced by Swinney to take a trip to Clemson’s camp where he received his first offer as a sophomore.

“The biggest thing was he came in and told us the truth,” Parker said. “We just had a good relationship. He got a lot of guys out of [north Florida] that were good players. I think that’s just the way he is with his personality.”

Bartram Trail (Fla.) coach Darrel Sutherland coached Parker and Xavier Brewer in high school. He said with Swinney “you feel like there is full disclosure.”

Swinney said the lack of recent recruits from the area shouldn’t concern Clemson Nation.

Last season’s class was small and this fall Clemson has few north Florida targets.

He said Scott is a natural fit.

Scott was promoted from grad assistant to receivers coach following Swinney’s promotion last fall. He also took over Swinney’s region in Florida and role as recruiting coordinator.

Scott’s father, Clemson offensive line coach Brad Scott, was the offensive coordinator on at Florida State’s 1993 national title team and recruited north Florida. Jeff Scott’s elementary school was near the FSU practice fields. He watched his father make recruiting calls at night. He says going into school’s today, veteran prep coaches recognize the likeness to his father.

“We have history there,” Scott said. “You go through schools in Jacksonville and Tallahassee and they know all about Clemson.”

They know all about Swinney, too. Who the Tigers hope they are not too dependent upon to sell their brand along I-10.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.

You must be logged in to comment.