Hightstown (N.J.) Peddie School’s Korey Smith is regarded as one of the country’s top sophomore linebackers.

The class of 2020 standout has a couple of early scholarship offers and is getting interest from several other programs, including Clemson.

Smith (6-1, 230) grew up liking the Tigers and said an offer from Clemson in the future would be a dream come true for him.

“It would mean so much to receive an offer from my childhood dream school,” Smith told TCI. “Words wouldn’t be able to describe how I would feel.”

Smith played for a Clemson-themed team in a peewee football league when he was 7 years old. Ever since then, he has been a fan of the Tigers.

“After that year I have been in love with Death Valley,” Smith said. “And to have that blessing (to play there) would be crazy.”

Smith made his first visit to Death Valley as a recruit last November, when he witnessed the Tigers’ 61-3 win over The Citadel.

After the game, Smith spoke with Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

“He said he loves the way I play,” Smith said of Venables. “He said that he is coming up to watch me work out and is going to pull my transcripts.”

Smith plans to reciprocate Clemson’s interest by competing at the Dabo Swinney Camp this June.

“Establishing a bond with Coach Venables is a priority,” Smith said, “and I’m going to make sure it just gets stronger every time we are able to speak/see each other.”

Smith made an unofficial visit to Clemson last summer as well. In addition to Clemson, he visited Virginia Tech and Rutgers last season.

Vanderbilt and Rutgers gave Smith his first offers in December, while schools such as Wisconsin, Boston College and Syracuse are showing interest along with Clemson.

Smith hopes to have made his college decision by the winter of his senior year. But with two years of high school football still ahead of him, Smith isn’t in a hurry with the recruiting process.

“I’m just blessed with these opportunities,” he said. “I just want to enjoy the process.”

Smith is ranked by 247Sports as a top-five inside linebacker and top-100 overall prospect in the 2020 class. He transferred to the Peddie School from Woodberry Forest (Va.) before his sophomore year.

Last season, Smith totaled 78 tackles including 13 for loss and four sacks, along seven quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries and an interception.