Paul Tyson is a popular guy in his neck of the woods.

The 2019 quarterback from Trussville, Ala., is a great-grandson of the late Paul “Bear” Bryant, who coached Alabama to six national titles in the 1960s and 1970s.

“I’m blessed to have him as my great-grandfather,” Tyson told The Clemson Insider. “I’m the oldest of two great-grandsons. I never got to meet him but I feel like I know him from all the stories I hear.”

Tyson’s recruiting process is just beginning, but several schools including Clemson are showing the most early interest.

“I’ve just started the recruiting process but now I would say Clemson, Alabama and Notre Dame are my favorites,” Tyson said. “I’m looking for the best fit for me. But right now I’m focused on winning a state championship at Trussville.”

Tyson made his first visit to Clemson last November for the Tigers’ victory over Syracuse, and he returned on Saturday for Clemson’s second Junior Day of the year.

“It was a great visit,” he said. “The facilities were unreal. I loved the how nice the locker room was, weight room, cafeteria, indoor games and the outside area where the players can relax. They even had a barbershop and fishing pond.”

He also liked getting to better know Clemson’s coaches, who want him back on campus over the summer.

“I really liked the coaches. They all made you feel like they were a big family,” Tyson said. “Coach Swinney wanted me to come back to camp in June. I’m planning to be up there June 6-8.”

Tyson (6-4, 210) played his freshman season at Mountain Brook — where he threw for 1,110 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games — before transferring to Hewitt-Trussville.

“Coaches tell me they like my size and my leadership ability,” he said. “They like that I make very few mistakes, see the field well and get everyone involved in the offense.”

Tyson plans to attend Notre Dame’s Junior Day on April 1, as well.