Clemson, SC – Clemson University Rugby Head Coach Justin Hickey has announced the program's incoming class for the 2011-12 season. 

The class includes 13 student-athletes from 5 states, including players from both coasts, with 12 of the 13 in the forwards-heavy class having at least two years of high school rugby experience.

The class includes six high school state champions, and five players who competed in the 2011 USA Rugby High School National Championships in Salt Lake City, UT in May. Most of the players have representative experience and have competed for their local union in all star competitions. Additionally, the incoming freshman class boasts an impressive academic resume, and will represent the University very well.

With the support of the University, and the Clemson Rugby Foundation, Clemson has made a real push to regain the presence it once had on the national rugby stage. With Hickey’s first recruiting class since arriving to the program in January, a foundation is being established for a bright future in the Upstate. Clemson supporters will expect big things from the freshman class of 2011-12.

CLEMSON RUGBY RECRUITING CLASS 2011-12

NAME                         HEIGHT            WEIGHT          POSITION        HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Jordan Baer                 5’9”                   165                  Utility              Charleston School of the Arts
Will Carlson                  6’4”                   227                  Lock               Mountain Lake HS, NJ/Morris
Dan Collins                  5’11”                  213                  Hooker           Gonzaga, Washington DC
Will Harrison                6’5”                   204                  Lock               Gonzaga, Washington DC
Quintin Helline            5’10”                  159                  Wing              Charlotte Catholic, NC
Nick Johnson              5’9”                   158                  Wing               Charlotte Catholic, NC
Joe Keightley              6’1”                   225                  Prop               San Francisco Golden Gate
Dontavius Reeves        5’8”                   196                  Utility FWD      Greenville, SC
Miller Reeves               5’10                  185                  Hooker            Greenville, SC
Jimmy Rippert             6’4”                   214                  No. 8              Gonzaga, Washington DC
Justin Showghi            6’1”                  187                  NA                   Clemson, SC
Rion Tapp                   6’3”                  201                  No. 8              Chapin, SC
Derrick Williams            6’1”                  178                  Center             Greenville, SC 

Profiles
Jordan Baer, Charleston, SC

Rugby Achievements: Captain of high school team and founding member of intermural team

 Academic Achievements: AP Scholar, participant at Palmetto Boys State, Passed 5 AP exams, awarded the Life Scholarship, awarded the Charleston Foreign Affairs Forum Award by my school, member of National Honor Society and Treasurer of the Tri M Music Honor Society, Junior Marshall for the 2010 graduation class and was a South Carolina Junior Scholar

Will Carlson, Montville, NJ

Rugby Achievements: 3 year rugby player for Parsippany and Morris RFC

 Other Sports: 4 year Wrestler, Football

Dan Collins, Washington DC
Rugby Achievements: 1^st Team All Metropolitan 2010 & 2-11. 2011 Gonzaga Rugby Player of the Year.

Other Sports: Football.  2010-11 3^rd Team All-WCAC

Will Harrison, Washington DC

Rugby Achievements: Played for 2010 national runners up, Gonzaga HS

Academic Achievements: Honor Roll, 4 years at Gonzaga

Other Sports: Wrestling

Quintin Helline, Charlotte, NC

Rugby Achievements: 2 year rugby player for Charlotte Catholic

Other Sports: Snow Boarding, Water Skiing

Nick Johnson, Charlotte, NC

Rugby Achievements: 3 year starter North Carolina All Stars, Member of 3 South Championship Teams.

Academic Achievements: National Merit Scholarship Finalist

Other Sports: 3 year varsity football starter at kick returner, 1 year starter at running back.

Joe Keightley, San Francisco, CA

Rugby Achievements: Nor-Cal Semi Finalists 2010, 2011

Other Sports: Football

Dontavius Reeves, Greenville, SC

Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner Up. 3 year rugby player at Greenville HS.

Miller Reeves, Greenville, SC

Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner Up. SC HS All Star. 

Other Sports: Football

Jimmy Rippert, Washington DC

Rugby Achievements: Starter for Gonzaga, competed in 2011 USA Rugby High School National Championship game.  Captained 1 game for Gonzaga. Potomac Rugby Union All Star and Rugby Academy invitee.

Academic Achievements: Second Honors at Gonzaga

Other Sports: Water Polo, Football, Swimming

Justin Showghi, Clemson, SC

Academic Achievements: Eagle scout, member of the varsity club, mu alpha theta, national honor society, graduated as a scholar athlete.

Other Sports: 13 year soccer player. 3 year varsity starter at Daniel HS, Clemson, SC.

Rion Tapp, Chapin, SC

Rugby Achievements: Club Captain, State Champions 2011, USA Rugby All American Invitee, South Carolina U19 All Star 

Academic Achievements: 4^th in Class Rank, 1520 SAT, AP Scholar with Honors

Other Sports: Football

Derrick Williams, Greenville, SC

Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner up, SC HS All Star 

Other Sports: Football