Last year, Clemson went into the state of Alabama and pulled out its No. 1 ranked player in wide receiver Justyn Ross. It marked just the third time since Nick Saban took over at Alabama in 2007 that the No. 1 player in the state did not stay home.
Not even a year later, Ross came back to haunt the Crimson Tide as the true freshman from Phenix City caught six passes for 153 yards and one touchdown in the Tigers’ 44-16 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last month.
This year, Clemson returned to Alabama and pulled out two more of its best players in 4-star linebacker LaVonta Bentley of Birmingham and Ross’ high school teammate in defensive back Ray Thornton from Phenix City.