Last year,
Clifton Garrett and
Plainfield South (Ill.) ended the season with a 4-5 record.
This year, the team has already exceeded that mark, sitting at 5-3 heading into this weekend's game against rival Plainfield East.
Garrett, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior linebacker, has been a big reason for Plainfield South's success.
Clifton Garrett, Plainfield South
Courtesy of 247Sports
The No. 29-ranked recruit in the 247Composite and also the state's top overall recruit
according to 247Sports, Garrett could join the likes of Crete-Monee receiver Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss) and Lemont tackle Ethan Pocic (LSU) as Chicagoland recruits who have decided to head South for college.
All 36 predictions on the
247Sports Crystal Ball have Garrett joining Pocic in Baton Rouge.
It's hardly surprising LSU went to Illinois to recruit Garrett, who is a special athlete.
Garrett's blend of speed, strength and athleticism allow him to shed blocks in pursuit of the ball carrier. He has tested in the 4.7s in the 40-yard dash and boasts a 33-inch vertical jump.
Could Garrett end up anywhere besides LSU? Certainly.
"I said it a few times about LSU (being the favorite), but at this point every school has a fair shot," Garrett
told the Chicago Tribune recently. "That is why I'm taking all five official visits. I want to see who is the best fit for me for the next four years."
