Offensive Line Recruit Clay Wedin Striving for Breakout 2020 Season, Talks LSU Football Offers
Clay Wedin has moved around quite a bit in his young life. Growing up in a military family, Wedin lived in Biloxi, Mississippi for a short stretch before eventually moving to Florida where he's now become a highly recruited offensive lineman.
"LSU was kind of my team back then because it was only an hour away and that's been something I've carried on even though I live in Florida now," Wedin said. "They were just always one of the schools I looked at growing up and that's continued over the last couple of years as well."
LSU, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and USC are just a few of the programs who have offered the Carrollwood Day High School product. Wedin said that it's still early in his recruitment and he is still in the stage of hearing out interested teams and picking up offers.
Waiting until further down the road to see which programs show that similar interest a year from now is what intrigues Wedin the most.
"It's just been a real blessed process, trying not to get to stressed out about it, just enjoy the ride," Wedin said. "I'm real blessed with all of the offers but there isn't too much to say because it's still early and I know I have a lot I want to keep working on."
LSU offered Wedin back on Apr. 6, one of the first Division I schools to extend him an offer. The Tigers kicked off a string of what would become six offers in the month of April and since that time, the interest has continued to pour in. While the Tigers didn't exactly relay much information to Wedin's coach about why they were making him the offer, Wedin believes it's because of his frame and work ethic.
At 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, that frame is certainly a reason a number of programs are interested in Wedin's potential. The Tigers are recruiting him as an offensive lineman but want to see how his body develops over the coming 12 months to see if his future would be at tackle or guard.
Heading into his sophomore campaign, Wedin feels that his technique is ahead of where it should be for someone as young as he is.
"My pass protection, my explosiveness and probably my footwork are a few areas that I feel are pretty strong," Wedin said. "I work on my technique every day. I have training and then I have team workouts with the offensive line and then my own training at my house."
As far as improvements go, Wedin is trying to get better as an all around player but the biggest area he pointed to was hip rotation, movement and learning a new offense. His goal this year is to show college evaluators that he can play tackle as well as guard.
Last season, Wedin was only able to play three games at tackle because a fractured tibia forced him to miss most of the season. He was able to make it back for the playoffs where he played guard but this season is all about showing versatility.
"I'm going to try and show them I'm legit as a tackle and that I can play all over the offensive line," Wedin said. "Whether it's a giant guy or a small fast guy I want to show that I can dominate."
Carrollwood Day is moving to a fast paced, up tempo offense in 2020 and as a highly sought after recruit already, Wedin is trying to establish a leadership role with the team.
"I'm trying to be one of those vocal leaders and just really be there for all of my teammates," Wedin said. "I'm trying to show them by my actions, by my words and really be the best teammate I can."
Wedin has done a little bit of research into the LSU program and the prospects of one day suiting up in purple and gold. His main research has been into the offensive line and the recent talent that's been shoveled to the NFL.
Whether it's Ethan Pocic, Lloyd Cushenberry, Damien Lewis or Saahdiq Charles, the recent track record has been impressive for the Tigers in recent years.
"They have had some very skilled players there in recent years and watching that starts with the strength and o-line coaches," Wedin said. "I loved watching LSU's o-line last year because they were essentially future NFL guys playing in college and I try and make myself like them. I'll watch their technique, their footwork, how they're moving, all of that."
Watching the Tigers in 2019, Wedin believes the program is in very good hands with coach Ed Orgeron at the mantle and expects them to consistently be in the championship conversation moving forward.
"I think they set a really great foundation this year and I think it's going to keep on rolling every year," Wedin said. "Just keep on building the champion mindset, champion players and I'm excited they want me to be a part of it."