By Hale McGranahan.

Clemson is running neck and neck with South Carolina for this 2016 linebacker from Georgia.

James Skalski, a 6-1, 220-pound linebacker from Northgate High School in Newnan, visited the two schools over the summer for camp. He recently spoke with TheClemsonInsider.com about his trip to Clemson and the latest in his recruitment.

“I really enjoyed it,” Skalski said of the Clemson camp. Coach (Brent) Venables is a great coach. I liked the environment and all the facilities. It was my favorite camp to go to this summer, even though I went to two.”

What made the Clemson camp better than South Carolina’s?

“The tempo of the camp, it was a little more high-paced. It was a little more involved I guess you could say,” Skalski said.

He hopes to see both schools again this fall.

“I’m going to get to some South Carolina games. I’d like to go to a Clemson game. That would be awesome. Whatever opportunity opens up, I’ll take that this fall,” Skalski said.

In addition to Clemson and South Carolina, Skalski has also received offers from Louisville, Marshall, UNC, UCF and Wake Forest.

“Clemson and South Carolina are definitely my top one and two right now,” he said. “Those are the two main ones, a top SEC and a top ACC school, which is a personal goal I’m shooting for. Those are the main two.”

Several factors will be considered as he works towards naming a favorite.

“Probably coaching staff, mainly…I want a good coaching staff and a really good football town that I really enjoy,” Skalski said.

But there is no timeline for a decision.

“I’m not very sure yet, still a lot to think about,” he said.

As a sophomore, Skalski had 120 tackles, six sacks and one interception.