Josh Harvey-Clemons might be the most versatile football player in the class of 2012. This past Friday, the Lowndes High School (Ga.) star started a game at quarterback before moving to running back and then wide receiver. Oh, and he also played safety and some linebacker (the position many project him to play in college) on defense.
This versatility is part of the reason Harvey-Clemons is now one of the nation's most sought-after players. Despite not having a set position, all major recruiting services rank him in the top 40 nationally. He has scholarship offers from just about every major program in Division-I, and is in a position where he can essentially choose where he wants to play his college ball.
"Josh is right up there amongst them and could be the best if he keeps working hard and he keeps his head on straight," Lowndes assistant coach Hiram Johnson said. "He will be one we will talk about for years. Randall Godfrey played here and so did Jay Ratliff, who's with the Cowboys. There are two or three others like him. No question Josh could be the best."
At this point, ESPN's No. 23 overall player has set up four official college visits. Those schools? The usual names: Florida, Georgia, LSU and...Louisville.
That's right, according to Harvey-Clemons himself he will be taking an official visit to U of L this fall. He says he also plans to schedule a fifth official visit with a school to be named later, and will announce his college choice at the U.S. Army All-America Game in early January.
"I am wide open right now," Harvey-Clemons said. "I am talking with everybody and keeping it open until after the season. Right now I am focused on getting a ring."
As far as what position he's going to play in college, Harvey-Clemons says he'll do whatever helps his team.
"I hope to play outside linebacker. I can run the field. I can play sideline to sideline. I can scrape off blockers and make tackles. I can just make plays for the defense," Harvey-Clemons said. "I will play wherever my team needs me and it's safety right now (in high school). Most teams are recruiting me on defense and it's safety and linebacker. Alabama is one of the only schools that wants me as a receiver."
Yeah, I'm pretty sure we could find a spot for him right away.
I know it's been said before, but the ability of this staff to even get kids like this on campus is remarkable. Even if Josh Harvey-Clemons commits to an SEC power, his recruitment has already been a minor victory for the U of L program.