Mascoll working on close friend, top Clemson target Jefferies
By: Gavin Oliver May 6, 2017

Covington (Ga.) Newton four-star defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies has kept his recruitment quiet, generally refraining from revealing his leaders or favorites.

On Friday, though, Jefferies made his top 10 schools public on social media. As expected, Clemson was named in the group, along with Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and South Carolina.

Jefferies, who is eyeing a summer decision, told The Clemson Insider he is glad to have taken the next step in his recruitment.

“It feels great,” he said. “It’s a long process and it feels good to have gotten to this point.”

Clemson offered Jefferies during its junior day on March 4, his first visit to the school. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder returned to Clemson three times over the next five weeks, including on April 8 for the Orange & White spring game.

The visits afforded Jefferies several opportunities to meet some of Clemson’s players and get to know the coaching staff. He has built a strong relationship with defensive coordinator Brent Venables and defensive line coach Todd Bates, in particular.

Jefferies drew separate visits from Bates and Venables last week during the ongoing spring evaluation period.

“Clemson made the list because of the overall relationship with the coaches and staff at the school,” Jefferies said. “They have really made me a priority and I appreciate it.”

Jefferies also knows members of Clemson’s 2018 recruiting class, namely Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett defensive end Justin Mascoll, Cartersville (Ga.) quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive end Xavier Thomas.

He has a close friendship with Mascoll, especially, and mostly hung around with him on the sideline before the spring game. The two Georgia natives played AAU basketball and youth football together, and have remained friends since.

Jefferies said he has a lot of respect for Mascoll both as a player and person, and Mascoll is staying in his ear about Clemson.

“He’s a really good friend, we talk a lot and he loves Clemson,” Jefferies said, “and let’s just say he makes that known… a lot!”

Jefferies plans to cut his top 10 down to five before making a decision this summer.

What will be the most important factors in said decision?

“Academics, family-friendly relationship and of course the opportunity to earn a starting position,” Jefferies said.

Along with Clemson, Jefferies has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Mississippi State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

He is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 33 defensive tackle nationally.