Former East Columbus Gator Joe Gore still wearing orange for Clemson Tigers

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Five years ago Joe Gore was a force to be reckoned with at East Columbus High School..
Clemson coaches snagged him early in the recruiting process. “I decided on Clemson because I loved how they are always right there in the hunt for a bowl game and a winning record,” Gore told WWAY back in 2010. “They have orange uniforms and East Columbus is orange and green. Can’t stay away from the orange.”

Joe Gore used to be known for his defensive prowess, but he had to shift to the offense at Clemson due to an series of injuries. Joe wears #73 for the Clemson Tigers, the #1 team in the nation, according to the college football playoff committee. In fact Joe will be the first to admit he played his best collegiate game against NC State last weekend. “I feel like it was, especially in the passing game. I feel like I used my hands better. Joe, what is the best thing about being not only a Clemson football player, but a Clemson player on one of the best teams in the nation?  I mean it’s just amazing. We’re representing not just ourselves, but past and future players as well.”

And speaking of past players, Joe Gore used to line up in high school against former South Columbus football standout Pharoah McKever. In Raleigh, once again, they found themselves on the opposite side of the ball and field after recently meeting up at the Whiteville WalMart. “He like saw me at the WalMart and yelled Joe, and I was like oh my God that is Pharoah. I was like, dude how big have you got?  and I’m like wow.”

And wow is the way Joe Gore plays now. He’s a big guy, who disguises his 6-6, 300 pound frame when needed. Perhaps one day he’ll be disguising it in the NFL.

Note: Joe Gore was named the ACC offensive lineman of the week for his performance against NC State in Raleigh last Friday.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Clemson sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson leads the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Player of the Week selections after accounting for six touchdowns and 437 yards of total offense in Saturday’s 56-41 win over NC State.

ACC Football Players of the Week are selected by a 14-member media panel.

Watson, also named the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, earned his second ACC Offensive Back of the Week honor of the 2015 season. He is joined by teammate Joe Gore, who was named the Offensive Lineman of the Week.

A pair of student-athletes from both Florida State and Miami joins the two Tigers, while Louisville and Virginia each had one player recognized for ACC weekly honors.

Florida State’s Travis Rudolph was selected as the ACC Receiver of the Week, and Seminole freshman running back Jacques Patrick was named the Rookie of the Week for their play in Saturday’s win over visiting Syracuse.

Miami’s Jermaine Grace earned Linebacker of the Week honors, while Hurricane teammate Corn Elder was recognized as Specialist of the Week following the Hurricanes’ road win at Duke.

Louisville’s Trevon Young was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second week in a row following his performance in the Cardinals’ win at Wake Forest, while Virginia safety Quin Blanding was tabbed as Defensive Back of the Week following his effort in the Cavaliers’ win over visiting Georgia Tech.