By Hale McGranahan.

BUFORD, Ga. – Julian Rochester is one of the most wanted men in the class of 2016.

With suitors from every corner of the map, Rochester has plenty of options. But the three that appear to have the best shot are all within short driving distance of his home at Powder Springs-McEachern (Georgia).

“Clemson, they’re right there in between Georgia and Auburn, because I still have family up there and I love coach Dabo Swinney. He’s a hype, hype coach. I love it,” Rochester said on Sunday, before The Opening Regional at Buford High School.

For Rochester, there’s a lot to like at Clemson, including a few of the Tigers’ assistant coaches.

“Coach (Tony) Elliott, the running back coach, coach (Brent) Venables, their defense was amazing this year, so it’s like, wow. Why count them out? Because Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley are going in the draft,” Rochester said.

Plus, Clemson was one of his first offers, so that will also keep the Tigers in the mix.

“It means a lot to me. They saw what nobody else saw in me in the beginning,” Rochester said. “Everybody else wants it and they already had it, so that’s always in the back of my head. They were first.”

Elliott serves as Rochester’s primary recruiter to Clemson.

“Coach Elliott is always telling me to go through the recruiting process and enjoy it,” Rochester said, “But always find that place where you want to go, where you feel like home.

“The education and playing time if you want to, but always make sure it’s a place where you feel comfortable, not where everybody thinks you should go.”