By Hale McGranahan.

Among the prospects to watch Clemson practice in Orlando before the Russell Athletic Bowl was this 2017 offensive lineman from Winter Garden, Florida.

Blake Vinson, a 6-5, 275-pound prospect from Trinity Catholic visited Clemson’s practice the day after Christmas. TheClemsonInsider spoke with him that evening.

“It was actually great…it went really well,” Vinson said.

Clemson’s coaches weren’t permitted to speak with Vinson because of the dead period, but he’s been communicating with offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell since October.

“He was trying to get me to a game this year, but it didn’t really work out. He’s been talking about how he really wants to see me in person and to see how big I am,” Vinson said. “He’s trying to get me to the Junior Day in January, so I can come visit their campus and just go from there.”

Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Miami, Mississippi State and UCF are among the other schools that have been in touch. Vinson picked up his first offer a few weeks ago from USF.

Clemson will be under heavy consideration as he moves through the process.

“It’s a top-tier program,” Vinson said. “They’re a really good football team and I like the area a lot. Coach (Dabo) Swinney has been there for (a few) years now, so I think he’s got a good thing going.