By Hale McGranahan.
Saivion Smith is ranked the No. 1 cornerback in the class of 2016, according to Scout and 247. Both companies rate the 6-1, 180-pound junior as a five-star prospect.
The IMG Academy (Saint Petersburg, Florida) junior visited Clemson on Saturday for the 35-17 win over South Carolina.
While on campus, he spoke with head coach Dabo Swinney, recruiting coordinator Jeff Scott and running back coach Tony Elliott.
“They were just letting me know they really want me. They need me. That’s what they were really saying,” Smith told TheClemsonInsider on Sunday night.
It was his second visit to Tigertown.
“It was great. I loved every part of the trip,” Smith said.
Clemson hosted Smith for his first visit in June during the Dabo Swinney Football Camp though he didn’t participate in the camp.
“Just how they treated me,” Smith said, when asked about his first impression of Clemson. “Other schools, they treated me good, but Clemson is known for rolling out the red carpet for every recruit.”
Saturday’s trip, his first game day experience in Clemson, didn’t disappoint either.
“The fan-base, I went over by the hill right before they ran down, right over by the student section, it was real live over there,” Smith said.
He added, “I really like the coaching staff. Coach Swinney, he’s a real good coach. He keeps everything up front.”
In addition to the Clemson visit, Smith went to Florida State, Miami and Florida for games.
For now, there are no favorites, no top 10 — nothing.
“I still have to see other schools, like the school aspect of it, not just football,” Smith said. “I want to go up to Tallahassee on a Wednesday when nothing is going on. I want to go up to Gainesville when nothing is going on or down to Miami, actually go to Coral Gables and see the school, talk to all the advisors and what not.”
Smith scored eight touchdowns on defense and special teams as a junior at IMG.