After a mix up in communication, 2016 defensive end Tony Clayton found out that he\u2019d already had an offer from Clemson.
\nThe Dooly County High School (Vienna, Georgia) three-star got the word when he was speaking with Clemson defenisve ends coach Marion Hobby earlier this week.
\n\u201cI was like, wow, this is crazy. I just now found out, but I been had the offer,\u201d Clayton said, during a recent interview with TheClemsonInsider.
\nThe offer \u201cmeans a lot\u201d to Clayton, who\u2019s listed by 247 as the No. 36 weak-side defensive end in the class of 2016.
\n\u201cMy idol played on that team, Vic Beasley, he\u2019s someone I look up to. Then, when I got the offer, I couldn\u2019t believe it at first,\u201d Clayton said. \u201cOnce I realized it, I was like, \u2018Man, the Clemson Tigers. That\u2019s something big here.\u2019\u201d
\nThe 6-foot-4, 218-pound prospect also has offers from Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
\nIn addition to the Clemson trip he\u2019s planning to take in June, Clayton also hopes to visit Ole Miss. In 2015, Clayton has visited Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
\n\u201cMy top five, it varies, because I\u2019ve been hearing from all these colleges,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, if I said a top five now, it will change about a week later or something. So I don\u2019t really have a top five.\u201d
\nA number of factors will be considered by Clayton as he moves through the process.
\n\u201cJust the academic program, the athletic program, their graduation rates, the environment and the athletic association, how that will benefit me when I go to college,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m going there to get my degree, not just football.\u201d
\nAs a junior, Clayton had 72 tackles and 17 sacks.<\/p>\n