Is 2011 Swinney's best class?

CLEMSON -- Dabo Swinney's third recruiting class is on track to be the best of his short tenure as Clemson's head coach.

The Tigers reeled in three consensus top-150 prospects in the last six weeks, bringing Clemson's 2011 commitment total to 16.

The recruiting service Scout.com ranks Clemson's 2011 class 11th nationally, and if the ranking holds it will be the best of the Swinney Era. ESPN ranks the 2011 class 19th in the country. ESPN national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill thinks the group has a chance to be Swinney's strongest by signing day. ESPN rated Swinney's first two classes 19th overall.

"I think they will end being at least a top 15 class," Luginbill told The Post and Courier. "The one thing that stands out is they have a lot of (commitments) on the offensive and defensive fronts. I think that is extremely important ... (championships) are built from the inside out."

The Tigers have three offensive line commitments for 2011, including a Rivals.com four-star talent in Shaq Anthony. Clemson also has four verbal commitments from defensive linemen.

While seven verbal commitments are from linemen, the major summer commitments have come from two consensus top-100 skill players: Mike Bellamy, a speedy back from Florida who some are comparing to a C.J. Spiller Lite, and Dorman's Charone Peake, a 6-3 receiver with 4.45 speed in the 40-yard dash.

ESPN rates Peake as the 12th overall prospect in 2011 and top receiver. Peake is just one of 13 five-star players in the 2011 class according to ESPN.

"We don't have as many five stars as other (recruiting services)," Luginbill said. "There aren't that many out there. If there were you'd seen more guys dominant early in their careers."

Luginbill compares Peake to Georgia star and former Summerville High standout A.J. Green.

Bellamy is ranked by some as the top back in Florida, and 82nd overall by ESPN. Clemson also has another commitment from a top back in Marlin Lane, one of four ESPN top 150 commitments (125) for Clemson.

"The days of a feature back carrying the ball 25-35 times are over," Luginbill said. "The game is so physical up front, players get dinged, and you gotta have the next guy go in there and not have a talent drop off."

Clemson has one other ESPN 150 talent in Cortez Davis. Davis, a 6-3 defensive back, recommitted to Clemson on July 11th.

At quarterback, uncertainty surrounds Kyle Parker's future at the school and there is little depth beyond Tajh Boyd.

The Tigers do have one quarterback commitment in the class from in Tony McNeal, an undersized pro-style quarterback from Chester. Clemson is interested in Charlotte (Country Day) quarterback Morgan Roberts, a 6-4, pro-style quarterback who told TigerIllustrated.com he hopes to make a decision by Aug. 1. North Carolina and Virginia are also in the running for Roberts Luginbill says the 2011 quarterback crop is weak and noted Clemson got in late on the class due to the surprising developments surrounding Parker.

Despite quarterback, Clemson's 2011 class looks promising, but Luginbill notes the process is a marathon and it's only July.

"What happens in February is more important than what is going on now," Luginbill said. "A lot of things are going to happen between now and then."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com, check out the Clemson blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks and follow him on Twitter (@travis_sawchik).