On Sunday, Seattle (Wash.) Garfield five-star defender Sav’ell Smalls narrowed down his list of over 30 offers when he announced his top 12 schools via Twitter.
As you’d expect, Clemson made the cut for Smalls, who is considered one of the top prospects in the country for the 2020 class regardless of position.
“They’ve been one of my favorite schools,” Smalls told The Clemson Insider shortly after including Clemson in his top group. “I love the family aspect of the program and how they take care of their players and make sure they are on the right path and have a lot of opportunities outside of football.”
Smalls (6-3, 230) visited Clemson for the first time last summer and told TCI that he is planning to return to campus.
“Probably the spring game (April 6),” Smalls said of the potential visit date.
Clemson extended an offer to Smalls last June during the Dabo Swinney Camp. The Tigers view him as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, while other schools are pursuing the versatile edge-rusher as an outside linebacker.
Smalls continues to communicate frequently with members of Clemson’s coaching staff.
“Just (about) how I’d fit in the program and what they could do for me and what I could do for them,” Smalls said.
Along with Clemson, Smalls included Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Washington and Washington State in his top group.
According to Smalls, all of the aforementioned schools are “showing love” and recruiting him hard. Asked when he will further narrow down his recruitment, Smalls replied, “Before the start of the season.”
Smalls is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 prospect in Washington, No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 2 overall prospect nationally for the 2020 class. Rivals ranks him as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end and No. 6 overall prospect, while ESPN tabs him as the No. 5 defensive end and No. 14 overall.
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