A local prospect, Greenwood (S.C.) Emerald four-star tight end Luke Deal has visited Clemson several times as a recruit in the past.

But his latest visit to Clemson last week was a little bit different. It marked his first time on campus since receiving a scholarship offer from the Tigers.

Clemson extended the offer to Deal on Monday, Feb. 26, and he returned to Clemson the following Friday with his family to meet with the coaches and watch the team’s spring practice.

“It was great,” Deal told The Clemson Insider. “We just had a really good time. You could tell practice was intense and up-tempo and physical, and it was a great thing to see.”

Deal (6-5, 235) spent most of the day with tight ends coach Danny Pearman, who let him know he is very wanted at Clemson.

“He was just talking about how great a fit I’d be there and their need for the (tight end) position,” Deal said. “Just talking about how they want to do things that I can do; they want somebody like me who can go in there and be a compliment to the running game and to the passing game and just have a balanced guy in there.”

“Coach Pearman is pretty funny,” Deal added. “He was talking about how great the quarterback situation is. He was like, hey, ‘You ain’t going to get a quarterback situation like this anywhere else. It doesn’t matter who’s throwing you the ball.’ It was good stuff.”

Deal also spent about 30-45 minutes with head coach Dabo Swinney.

“He started off just talking about how much he loved my film and loved me in camp,” Deal said. “He was just talking about how Clemson needs more guys like this and how I’m a Clemson guy through and through. We were just talking and having a good time.”

Deal has made no bones about the fact he grew up a big Clemson fan, living about an hour and a half away from the school.

However, Deal wants to do his due dilligence with the recruiting process, evaluate all of his options and ensure he makes the right decision for him.

Proximity is not a primary factor in his recruitment, as evidenced by the fact he has scheduled an official visit to Michigan the weekend of April 13.

“I’m actually about to go on a couple officials up North and maybe out West, too, and travel’s not a big deal for me,” Deal said. “I just want to find the place that fits me best and the place that I’ll thrive in. At the end of the day, it will all work out. God has got a plan for all of us.”

Deal went to Auburn on an unofficial visit the day after going to Clemson.

Along with Clemson, Auburn and Michigan, Deal carries offers from Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Southern Cal, among others.

He is targeting a decision date of May, and Clemson figures to be in the race until the end.

“It’s super impressive whenever you go to Clemson,” he said. “They’ve got all these facilities and have good people. Coach Swinney’s awesome, and it was a great experience.”

Deal is ranked as a top-five prospect in South Carolina and top-15 tight end nationally for the 2019 class.