By Hale McGranahan.

Zack Bailey has a good feel for two out of the three schools that make up his top three.

The instate rivals, Clemson and South Carolina, have had the rising senior from Summerville on campus a number of different times over the last couple of years. His most recent visit was to UNC, but the Tar Heels appear to be on the outside looking in.

About two weeks before to his trip to Chapel Hill, the 2015 guard from Summerville High School was in Clemson for the All In Cookout.

“It was good. Went there and visited, got to see (offensive line) coach (Robbie) Caldwell and meet all the coaches again, kind of get to know them a little better,” he said. “Noah (Green), Zach (Giella) and Jake (Fruhmorgen) were all up there and we were just having a good, old time playing cornhole, relaxing and having a good time. It was great. I loved it.”

Bailey wants to get back up to Clemson once football season gets underway.

“I’ll probably be up there soon for another visit sometime, but I don’t know when. I plan to attend a couple of their games this year,” he said.

Bailey would also like to visit Georgia.

“I’ve been to the in-state campuses, but there are a couple of them I want to see, just seeing what else is out there. What are my options? I want to go to Georgia here soon,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t have anything planned out really.”

Georgia occupies a spot in his top three with Clemson and South Carolina.

“I was trying to go to Georgia in the summer, but it just didn’t work out with workouts and I had to work this summer, so I was disappointed that didn’t happen,” Bailey said. “That’s one of the places I want to make sure I see: Georgia.

“I want to see certain schools outside of South Carolina, to reassure my decision, so I’ll probably see those and then I’ll make my decision.”

When it comes to a commitment timeline, Bailey has no specific date in mind, even though he’d previously hoped to make a decision before the start of his senior season at Summerville.

“It will probably happen after I go see Georgia, to see what kind of style they’re like. After that, I’ll make my decision,” he said.

Bailey was also asked about his plans for a return trip to South Carolina.

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “We just started football practice…but I do plan to get to Carolina sometime. I enjoy it up there. It’s a good place. I just don’t have enough time right now.”

The trio of favorites is still without order.

“It’s just a good mix I guess. I haven’t been to Georgia. That’s my thing. I want to go see Georgia, because they’re in my top three,” Bailey said. “I’ve been to Clemson. I’ve been to Carolina. I like both places. They’re great places. I want to see Georgia before I do anything else.”