Will Korn to Roar as a Clemson Tiger

By Jeff Flinn, NFLHS.com

Signing Day 2007 couldn't have come any sooner for Clemson signee Will Korn. After all, he gave a verbal commitment to the Tigers nearly two years ago, one of the earliest "verbals" in the past few years.

"I'm ready for it," Korn said in the days prior to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game - and just days before he became a Clemson student, utilizing collegiate "early entry" to get a jump on being a collegian.

"I committed before my junior year," he said. "I'm an hour away from campus, I always knew that's what I wanted to do, I just wanted to stay close to home."

Korn threw for 2,997 yards and 31 touchdowns his sophomore year, leading his high school, James F. Byrnes High in Duncan, S.C., to its third straight state title.

His junior year saw all his numbers climb -- 4,164 yards, 53 touchdowns and another state championship, the fourth in a row.

And through it all, Korn held tight to his commitment.

"I was just fortunate my entire high school career. I grew up an offensive lineman in little league play, so my career just kind of took off when I started playing quarterback at Byrnes," he said, "and when I started playing QB for Coach Bentley. So I'm very fortunate to be here."

Korn's senior year saw Byrnes' four-year streak come to an end, as the team lost to eventual state champion Gaffney, 16-13. But Korn still put up phenomenal numbers: 3,485 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also ran for an additional 433 yards and 13 more TDs.

Korn, who started classes at Clemson Jan. 10, said it was important for him to get onto campus, settled in housing and into classes -- to develop a routine -- before beginning spring practices in April.

"I want to get there and learn the offense; that's got a lot to do with (early entry)," he said.

When asked about the level of competition for snaps at Clemson, and whether he'd consider a redshirt, he replied, "When spring ball starts in late April, I'm stepping in to compete. I'll be at the bottom of the totem pole, with the four quarterbacks that are there, but I'm going to try to work my way up any way I can."

One of Korn's goals is to play in, and win, a championship game while at Clemson.

"We'll just work the next four years to get Clemson over the hump," he said. "They always start off strong, or they end strong -- they are always a couple of games away every year from being in the ACC championship. I'd like to help change that, and help win one."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.