Barker: Clemson to review admissions process

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Clemson University President James Barker says the school will review the admissions process that critics say cost the Tiger football team some prominent recruits.<br> <br> Barker released a letter Tuesday evening outlining the review. ``The bottom line is that our process is not perfect, but it also is not a barrier to competitiveness as some have suggested,&#39;&#39; he wrote.<br> <br> Clemson may decide to keep the admissions process the same or make modifications, Barker said. His only goal will be maintaining academic integrity while ``not putting Clemson at a competitive disadvantage,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> The issue came to light last week when Clemson&#39;s football team could not sign highly regarded receiver Dwight Jones and runner Jo Jo Cox because they were turned down by an academic panel.<br> <br> Jones eventually signed with North Carolina while Cox, who first commited to Clemson a year ago and spent the past year at a prep school, has not yet signed with a school.<br> <br> Barker&#39;s long-range goals for the university included a national football championship and Final Four appearances by the school&#39;s basketball team ideals that critics argue can&#39;t happen if Clemson can&#39;t recruit the best players.<br> <br> But it is ``not a competition between academics and athletics: it&#39;s between Clemson and all the institutions who are recruiting the same students,&#39;&#39; Barker said.