By Hale McGranahan.

In the midst of Clemson’s pursuit of the top defensive tackle in the 2016 class, Brent Venables offered 2017 four-star defensive tackle Corey Bolds.

Bolds, who’s teammates with Rashan Gary at Paramus Catholic (NJ), picked up an offer late last week from Clemson.

“My coach told me to give coach Venables a call. When I was on the phone with coach Venables, he let me know,” Bolds told TheClemsonInsider on Monday night.

“He said it’s a great place for me, things like that. He was telling me he’s not the type of recruiter that just hands out offers,” Bolds said. “If he hands out an offer, it means he thinks I can play and that I’m the type of guy that Clemson needs.”

Bolds has offers from Clemson, Michigan, Rutgers and UNC.

“We talk about recruiting all the time…(Gary) actually loved the Clemson visit, he told me,” Bolds said.

Gary visited Clemson earlier this spring and Bolds plans to make his way south to Tigertown at some point this summer.

“My mom and coach Venables spoke about it when they were on the phone, probably in July or June,” Bolds said.

Among the primary pitches by Venables was Clemson’s academic standing.

“Great football program, good defensively and coach Venables also told me he just signed a new contract, so he’s going to stay for a while. And their graduation rate was amazing,” Bolds said.

Clemson, Syracuse, Southern Cal, Kentucky, Penn State, Boston College, Michigan and Ole Miss have been by Paramus this spring.

In 2015, Bolds has visited Virginia Tech, Michigan and Ohio State. Trips to Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss could be in the works, too.

He has no list of favorites.

“I’m still young in the recruiting process. I’m pretty much open to anybody. I don’t really have a top five,” Bolds said.

Several factors will be considered as he moves through the process.

“Family atmosphere, great academics and I’d been comfortable living there for the next four years of my life,” Bolds said.

As a sophomore, Bolds had 50 tackles and six sacks.