Clemson’s push for a 2016 defensive end took a turn for the positive on Sunday when four-star [autotag]Antonneous Clayton[/autotag] made the trip up from Vienna, Ga.

Ranked by Rivals as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in the country, Sunday marked Clayton’s first visit to Clemson.

“It was a pretty good trip. I got to meet with all the coaches, some of the players, the athletic association. That trip was just a blast,” he told TheClemsonInsider on Sunday night.

Most of his time on campus was spent with area recruiter Robbie Caldwell.

“We got a chance to see, went over some plays, how the defense is. I got a chance to meet with coach (Marion) Hobby and how they’ll use me on the defense,” Clayton said. “I got a chance to see some of the facilities, the indoor practice field, the field, The Rock, the dorms, where I would be spending most of my time, if I commit there.”

The 6-3.5, 214-pound prospect likes what Clemson has to offer.

“The thing is, it’s no different from my town itself. Not a lot goes on here, it’s pretty quiet,” Clayton said. “Everything is packed into one certain area, like the college itself is so small. You can go anywhere you want on a moped and you’re there.

“Everything is just a quiet, chilled, laid-back town. The thing about it, the football team still works hard and the academics are pretty strong. They’ve got, like, 17,000 students. I mean, it’s a pretty small environment, but, overall, the school is magnificent.”

After taking June visits to Clemson, Florida State, Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn, Clayton will switch gears, to focus on his senior season at Dooly County.

“I’ll probably take one or two (visits) next month. To be honest, I can’t say where, but I’ll try to book somebody into my schedule,” he said.

The Clemson staff hopes he’ll return for the annual All-In Cookout, which is set for late July.

“(Caldwell) said they’re going to have 20 or 30 recruits up there, it’s not going to be that big. They’ll have a little barbecue up there,” Clayton said. “They just wanted to get me up there, give me a chance to meet some more of the players and get my whole family up there, because only my dad went this time — get a chance to take my mom, my dad, my brother and my sister, to take them some place.”

Clayton told TCI that Clemson has pulled into the lead, but he wants to give all of his suitors a chance.

“I mean, Clemson really stands out. I mean, just going there, it really felt at home, like really at home,” he said. “It’s just like here. Nothing goes on here. Nothing goes on up there, except when they have games and stuff. Other than that, it’s a pretty chill campus.”

As a junior, Clayton had 72 tackles and 17 sacks.