One of the countless stops Clemson assistant Matt Luke made during the contact period was by the high school of offensive lineman Mitchell Smith.

The 3-star prospect (Picayune Memorial, MS) got to spend about half an hour with the Tigers’ offensive line coach in what basically amounted to an introductory meeting. Smith had first heard from Luke a couple of days beforehand.

“His thing was being real with me, which I appreciated truly,” Smith told The Clemson Insider. “He just talked about my game. How Clemson is a great program and has an amazing culture there. Talked about where he sees me playing. What he likes and dislikes about me. I mean, just being very real, just a standup dude.”

After the visit from Luke, Smith is working on arranging his first-ever trip to Clemson this spring.

“Most definitely,” Smith added. “I’m almost 100% sure I am going to make a trip there.”

LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Penn State are just a handful of the offers Smith has accumulated so far. Last weekend before the start of the dead period, Smith was in Baton Rogue for a visit.

The Tigers have yet to offer, but that spring visit is likely the final box that needs to be checked.

“Obviously, Clemson has a track record of not offering kids until they actually come on campus,” Smith said. “(Luke) never guaranteed nothing. I never expected him to. Like he said, one of the biggest things is the culture. I completely respect it as a man and as a program honestly.”

As for when it comes to making a decision, Smith has no firm timeline in place. He is taking his time and enjoying the process.

“I’m playing it slow,” Smith said. “I am putting it into God’s hands and he will tell me when.”

However, if that visit does indeed take place, and that offer was to come, Smith insists that would make Clemson a legitimate contender for his services.

“It would mean a lot,” said Smith. “Luke stopped by my school and showed a lot of interest in me. I think Clemson has an amazing track record — a very good school. They would be on my board for sure.”

Photo courtesy of Mitchell Smith on X (formerly known as Twitter) @73MSmith73