By Hale McGranahan.

Goose Creek junior Javon Kinlaw hadn’t seen Clemson until Saturday’s Elite Junior Day.

The 6-5, 275-pound three-star (Rivals) spoke with TheClemsonInsider a day after his trip to Clemson.

“It’s a beautiful place. That was my first time going up there,” Kinlaw said.

What stood out?

“Just being able to see that hill in person, just meeting all the coaches.”

Co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach Tony Elliott serves as Kinlaw’s primary recruiter to Clemson.

“He’s a great guy. He comes from a lot of places that I come from, so I can relate to him in that area,” Kinlaw said.

After visiting Clemson, Kinlaw went by South Carolina and spoke with assistant coach Steve Spurrier Jr.

“I was there for about 10-15 minutes,” Kinlaw said.

The Gamecocks are tied for first on his list of favorites.

“I like Florida and South Carolina, they’ve just been in my corner since day one,” Kinlaw said.

As a junior, Kinlaw had 50 tackles, eight sacks, 10 pass breakups and six quarterback hurries.