Trinity Christian Academy running back Jamie Harper threw off his teammate, Daniel Andrews, on Wednesday when announcing his college football destination.

"He had me going for a minute, and I didn't know what was going on," said Andrews, who signed with Clemson. "Finally, it clicked."

When Harper was ready to make his choice public, in front of a packed school auditorium and live on ESPNU, he stood up and said to Andrews, who was seated next to him: "Daniel, you'll have to do your senior year at Clemson alone. Because I'm going to be gone in three years, bro."

With that, Harper donned a Clemson cap, and the area's most speculated recruiting story of the year came to an end.

"I made the final decision last night after talking with my dad," Harper said. "We researched every school, and in the end, we felt like Clemson was the best place for me."

Harper chose Clemson over Florida State, Miami and Illinois.

He'll join a team loaded at the position. The Tigers have two standout running backs in James Davis and C.J. Spiller (Union County). However, there's a chance that next fall will be both players' last season at Clemson.

"I think this will be a great situation for Jamie," Trinity Christian coach Verlon Dorminey said. "He won't be thrown right into the fire. He'll have time to learn the system. He'll be in the rotation, but he'll also be able to learn things from the other backs."

Davis and Spiller are both accomplished, but neither is as big as Harper, who weighs 225.

"What we tried to sell Jamie on was the fact that C.J. is 195 [pounds]. James is 205, and 225 is 225. We don't have that," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. "That doesn't change. Our needs for a bigger back surely didn't change.

"... We didn't have numbers at that position right now. With two potential guys coming out, the timing is really good for backs coming in here."

For Harper, Clemson's emphasis on its running game was a strong selling point. Plus, he felt a close connection to the coaching staff.

"They run an offense that really features the running back," Harper said. "I really like all the players up there that I've met. Plus, the coaches are real spiritual, and I liked that aspect."

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