Clemson Snags Goose Creek's T.J. Burrell

Linebacker T.J. Burrell will start his senior year at Goose Creek High School with his college plans already lined up. Burrell announced late last week that he’s heading to Clemson.

Clemson started recruiting Burrell a year ago, said Goose Creek High Coach Chuck Reedy. He says the decision was pretty easy.

“T.J.’s a very strong guy, and he also runs very well,” Reedy told Patch. “Clemson is looking to be a little tougher and physical with its defense.”

Burrell told ESPN’s Jamie Newberg that he knew Clemson was a good fit from the beginning.

“It’s going to be great,” he said. “I will give it 100 percent. I am physical, hard-nosed and play with a lot of heart.”

For now, Burrell can focus on his senior year with the Gators. But he’s not the only one getting attention from top recruiters at USC or Clemson. Others include senior fullback Virgil Small, junior wide receiver Tramel Terry, junior linebacker Gerald Turner, and sophomore running back Caleb Kinlaw.

The high school’s first player to get Division 1 attention, Brandon Shell, signed with USC in February and he’s on campus now, getting ready for his freshman season this fall.